Today we woke up to one inch of snow and they had already called off school the night before...so, the boys were ready to go and out in the snow before 8 AM! It was an icy snow, so not great for making snowballs or snowmen but still it is snow. Went and did some sledding in the neighbors yard, but the hill ended in a stream...so, Drew got very, very wet and muddy. But, that did not stop him...a lot of fun was had by all!
Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden at 7:25pm EST in Lakeside, VA.
Science Museum of Virginia at 3:43pm EST in Richmond, VA.
When it is December and it is 60+ degrees what is a six year old to do? Go sledding!! Only one thing missing...snow! Drew decided to break out the saucer and make a mud slide out of the front yard. As I was raking, he certainly provided a lot of entertainment! Too much fun for father and son!
So, Kara had some Mommy time, so that meant boy time for us! We played on the Wii and had lots of fun! At one point I was reading a magazine and Drew asked if he could play some music on my iPhone, so we broke out Pandora and put on some traditional Irish music and relaxed. At one point Kyle looked over at Drew and said "Drew this is really good" and then went back to the Wii. A few minutes later I looked over at Drew and he was sound asleep...what a wonderful night!!
Oh, raking leaves! I hate raking, but when you have two wonderful sons that are willing to help...it actually is not so bad. They played in them, raked a little and then actually picked up a few piles for me, too. Good for them! Do you think there is any chance that they will be this quick to help when they are teenagers????
Science museum of virginia at 1:19pm EST in Richmond, VA.
The Bounce House from 2:38pm to 2:49pm EDT (10 mins) in Williamsburg, VA.
The Bounce House at 1:42pm EDT in Williamsburg, VA.
My two geocachers...I love these moments! They are such awesome boys! We have found that we do not like the mini- or micro- caches. They are too hard to find and there are no toys to swap! To all the geocachers out there...only hide big caches, please. (Drew asked me to write that.)
Today, for some reason, HCPS gave us the day off...so, I spent it at home grading AP labs. I have issues, I know. But, they are done and then the boys came home from a 1/2 day and we went off to do some geocaching! Ok, maybe Drew and I did and Kyle watched...Kyle does not like to go into the woods in search of the caches. [this find was right off the side of the trail.] So, he waits on the trail while Drew and I go and find them. We found three today...somehow, I lost all of our information from our previous searches on my phone. It appears that someone else had the same username, so I had to change ours...we are now back to the beginning. Such is life...now, we can find some of the ones that we had found before...only quicker this time! The ones in Rockwood Park were fun to find and not too difficult to locate either. All along the orange trail...which is nice, since that is our favorite hike in the woods.
Today at Drew's soccer game, his coach (aka dad) had him playing defense. Drew decided he wanted to score a goal, so he decided to play up. After I told him repeatedly to get back on D, he replies "I want to score a goal!" Wouldn't you know that in the next moment the ball comes to him at the top of the box and he one-times it low and into the corner of the goal! He turns to me with a huge smile...one for Drew!
Cub scouts, soccer, lego league, tennis, school, after/before school at Primrose, being a kid, chores around the house...the list does not end! To any parent out there the list may be different, but you have one and as our little ones get older it only gets longer! WOW! This school year is off to a crazy start and does not appear to be slowing down. And, I have to say...I love it! (Most of the time.)
Drew had his first full week of soccer this week...two practices and and a game on Saturday. With Dad as his coach...he is still learning the difference between Dad and Dad-Coach...honestly, so am I. It was a lot easier when he was younger, but I am enjoying it and I think Drew is, too. First game yesterday...a lot more interesting watching kids at the U8 level, actually looks like soccer some of the time! Should be a fun season!
School is off to a good start...still getting to know the names and personalities of my students, but so far, so good. First quiz is this week and I am hopeful that they do well...nothing helps the mood of a student more than a good grade on a quiz!
KKD appear to be adjusting to the new schedule with Primrose. The boys actually get upset with me when I have to pick them up early, because they can not play with their friends...better than the alternative, right? Kara is doing fine with the job and the break in the middle of the day still gives her some time to get things done...she was even able to go into school and have lunch with Drew. She went to Drew's back to school night and has a good feeling about the upcoming year for him...actually, received a call from his teacher last week mentioning what a wonderful young man he was and how she loved having him in class. Yea! Kyle is adjusting to the increased expectations of 3rd grade...it is hard and he does not like all the work. But, he will handle it and do fine...tough to find the balance, but the ladies at the Primrose school are terrific with helping him get his work done, so it will all work out...here's hoping for a wonderful school year for all of us!
...for all of us! Tuesday morning of this week was a crazy morning! We ALL had to go to school today! Kara had her first day of work at the Primrose School today, Kyle was off to 3rd grade, Drew was off to 1st grade and I was off to start year #19! The boys were terrific with getting up and getting ready to go to the Primrose School with Kara...they were going to be going there for before and after school care. We all went off to "school" and the day started with little issue. Everyone had a wonderful day at school...always a good thing!
Afterschool, I picked up Drew at Primrose to take him to soccer practice. Let's just say he was a little tired and not really in the best mood to play. But, he made it through and home we went for dinner and bed. K & D both went to sleep quickly and our new routines were beginning...
So, week one has come and gone and everyone is adjusting just fine. For now, we all like our jobs, teachers, and students...time will tell as the year is just beginning! Life is good...and, that is THE most important part.
Friday we had our weekly pizza and went outside...Grant, Anna, and Hugh were out and life was back to normal. It is amazing how the heat of the summer minimizes social interaction with the neighbors. Now, that school has started and the weather is cooler the neighborhood is back to "normal". Spent the night relaxing with the Gardners and Stacy and Kara outside catching up...an excellent end to the work week.
Summer is coming to a close...a little bittersweet, most certainly. The boys need to get back to "normal" with everything and, actually, life is going to be far from normal for a little while. With Kara going back to work full-time on Tuesday, the household is going to be a little strange. Waking the boys up to get to school with Kara, having little time in the morning to watch cartoons or in the afternoon/evening to play on the computer. Oh, the changes are going to be interesting...
We had a nice weekend, but the weather was a little uncooperative. It rained most of the weekend, but we were able to have some fun...ran errands, played a lot of Beyblades, playdates with the Laser boys, went to the Science Museum...pretty much did not do too much. I think the changes in store for them tomorrow will mess everyone up enough!
Soccer starts up for Drew tomorrow, as well...going to be 4 very tired Fetsko's tomorrow evening...here's hoping to a great start for all of us to the school year! I can not believe that Drew is off to 1st grade and the Kyle is off to 3rd...where has the time gone???
When Kara was at the clinic she got to talking with some parents and one of them mentioned that there was something called the UR Spiders Kids Club. For 5 dollars the boys get 2 tickets to UR football games and 4 tickets to UR basketball games...very cool! So, this evening there was an event at the football stadium for all of the kids...we sat on the field and watched The Lorax on the big screen right there at Robins Stadium. Drew had a lot of fun playing soccer and running around the track, but Kyle really enjoyed the movie. They are both looking forward to going to their first football game!
Back to work this week...enough said. BUT, Kara did find some excellent family fun opportunities for us! She signed the boys up for a soccer clinic run by the Flying Squirrels and VCU in the morning and the boys had a blast! They were able to play some and then watched a VCU practice scrimmage...and, of course, received a T-shirt!
In the evening, we were able to attend the Flying Squirrels baseball game. The boys wanted to sit up in the top row, so that we had a better chance of getting a ball...ummm...nope! Drew was not very happy about this, but he did like the chicken, french fries, Icee, and cotton candy! It was a lot of fun, even though the Squirrels lost.
For the last two days of my summer vacation we decided to take a little trip to Grandma and Grandpa's! We picked up Grandma and took her for some fun and excitement at Busch Gardens...we had a blast! We actually spent the afternoon and evening there and it was really interesting to see BG all lit up at night. I love the fact that the boys are now old enough to really enjoy the park and the rides and all of the fun that the park has to offer. We ran from ride to ride and we were in constant motion. Kyle likes the spin rides and Drew likes the vertical rides...so, Kara and I split up the rides based on what we liked and even Grandma did some, too! The fireworks were amazing at the end of the night. The boys wanted to come back again the next night...we will certainly be going back next year!
The next day the boys and Moms went to the outlets shopping and even had lunch with my good friend Geoff! (Sorry that I missed you Geoff.) While that was happening, Dad and I played golf...I would honestly say that it was one of my favorite rounds of golf...ever. Not only did I play well, but it was that I was also able to play the round with my Dad and no one else. We had a great time talking and joking around and the golf was almost secondary...I am not sure I have ever had an experience like that on the golf course...thanks, Dad!
For dinner, we celebrated Drew and Grandma's birthdays with the customary Coldstone Creamery cake...yum!
