Scout advancement

Eric finally advanced to Life Scout tonight. I say finally because he has been wanting a board of review for months and with a change of leadership and a number of other excuses, Eric wasn't able to pin on until tonight. His goal was to be an Eagle Scout in 2010 because it is the 100th anniversary of scouting. But now he will have to wait at least 6 months to advance to Eagle. Breaking his arm also made it hard to accomplish his goal. He wasn't able to go to Scout camp so he has a lot of camping nights to make up. Eric is an awesome kid and he works hard. I am so proud of him. I love these pics of Eric and I. Not often that Eric shows any affection in public. Helps when the Bishop tells the boys to kiss and hug their moms. Thanks Bishop!

It is funny because I was just wondering today when Eric stopped showing any affection for his family in public. I wonder because my twins hug and kiss me everyday when I drop them off and pick them up from school. I was just wondering how much longer they will do that. I will cherish the hugs and kisses everyday until they stop. Then I will be sad. At least I still have Erin to be affectionate in public.

Teacher Visits

In the Vail School District, we have the option of having the teacher make a home visit. They come and hang out with the student for about a half and hour and do anything that the student wants. Nathan chose to give Mrs. Lowden a tour of our house and then play Legos. He was so excited about her visit that he cleaned out the inside of my china hutch. Before school I saw him with the hutch's door open and I asked him what he was looking for. His response was, "I am cleaning it, my teacher is coming today!" I really don't think she would look inside a cabinet, but hey, if he wants to clean it for me, that is great. No complaints from me. Then after school I noticed that Erin's closet was off the track. After further inspection, I noticed the track was bent. I asked her what happened and she said Nathan broke it. He came in her room a few minutes prior to make sure her closet was clean (because his teacher was coming.) He took a quick look inside and said never mind and slammed the door shut which caused it to come off the track.

He and Mrs. Lowden enjoyed playing with Legos. Zach wasn't quite sure what he wanted to do with his teacher until he heard that some other kids played wii with her. So he played wii with Mrs. Rupel and the intern. Not surprising, he beat them at every Mario Kart race. I think it was fun for him to play against two people who didn't have a chance of beating him.

Boys Being Boys

Here's a few of the conversations I have been hearing around the house this week. I wonder if my boys will break the family record and make it to the principal's office before third grade.

#1

Zach: "Nate, I went to computers today and it was so boring."

Nate: "Then why didn't you just type in pbs.org"

Zach: "Because the teachers were watching"

#2

Zach: "Mom, I know how to leave the lunchroom without eating all my lunch."

Me: "Really, how?"

Zach: "I just close my lunch box before they come around and check."

#3

Zach: "We aren't allowed to run on the playground at recess."

Me: "Yeah, I know, Erin got in trouble for that last year."

Zach: "We just wait until the teacher isn't watching, then we run."

#4

Nate: "These new shoes don't fit."

Erin: "Let me try putting them on you."

Nate: "They fit now, mom just put one of them on the wrong foot."

Boring Week

I see now why I volunteered at the elementary school in Monterey almost every day. Having all four kids in school is great, but I am getting bored. Not that there's not tons to do. I have 3 bathrooms that need cleaned and at least 6 closets that need organized (there is a downside to living in a big house.) Unfortunately I can't get motivated to do any cleaning and organizing. After getting the kids to school, I clean up from the morning rush and then I talk to Mario on Skype until his bedtime and my nap time. I feel so guilty that I am not doing more with my time (talking to Mario is obviously a good use of my time though.) There are so many kids that need tutoring and I should be actively looking for them or cleaning my house. I keep saying there's always tomorrow. But I really need to get started today. I need some motivation. I guess that with Mario leaving Kabul (tentatively) in 25 days, I will get the motivation to clean the entire house from top to bottom before he gets home. I can't believe he gets to leave in 25 days. It still seems too long, but compared to 181 days, 25 days is nothing.

I booked airfare for us to go to Florida for a cruise in January. We fly to Tampa with my dad on New Year's Eve and then drive down to Miami the next day for a 5 night cruise to Jamaica and Cayman Islands. There were some better cruises, but most go to Mexico and the Air Force is not allowed to travel to Mexico on vacation. Too bad I have such a long wait until January. But a week in San Diego in October should help pass the time. The whole family is looking forward to that vacation.

Nathan's New Girlfriend

Nathan told me today that his teacher, Mrs. Lowden, is his new girlfriend. He has absolutely no problems with being separated from Zachary this year in first grade. He told me "My class is way too much fun for me to be in Zach's class." I am glad he is so happy. Zachary has Mrs. Rupel and he is very happy with her class too. He hasn't complained, but she isn't a young, blond like Mrs. Lowden. But she was teacher of the year last year.

Breakfast in Bed

This morning (at 4:45 am) Erin brought me breakfast in bed. She got up at 4 so she could make me an egg burrito with toast along with tomatoes, a peach, and a cup of orange juice before our 5 am workout on the treadmill and bike. She was very sweet. Now Zach is planning what he can make me tomorrow. So far, his plan is cinnamon toast with a hard boiled egg (if there is one in the refrigerator.)

My boys must have read my last blog about me being sad that they don't dress alike anymore. This picture is before school this morning. Nate was was unhappy fellow because we walked to school instead of driving. I had to give him the same talk I gave Eric about needing to walk for a healthy heart. He didn't really buy it. So he was grumpy, but at least he let me take the picture.

A Day to Celebrate

I actually got them to all cooperate for a picture...no easy feat!

I can't believe she is in middle school now.

Gotta love those skinny jeans and purple shirt

Nate's trademark socks!

No more dressing alike...makes me sad!

Zach wants to be a skater like his big brother.

Today was a day of celebration (for me at least.) All of my kids went back to school and the twins finally started first grade (full day of school). So what did I do on my official first day off from being a mom for a few hours? I went to see the orthopedic dr about my knee. Looks like I may have surgery in late August when Mario returns. Then I ran a couple errands and came home and found plane tickets for my parents to come at Christmas. I didn't clean my house at all! It will have to wait until tomorrow. I wish that secret elf was still here!