....a fun PTA event

So the kids are back to school and the PTA has already had a family night.  And it was actually a lot of fun!  Max unfortunately had been home sick that day, so it was just Samantha and me taking place in the Adams Amazing Race.

We got to the school and were given a list of things we were supposed to find and questions to answer.  It started in the gym with a physical challenge given by the P.E. teacher.  Different tasks for different grades. Samantha had to catch a ball in a scoop 10 times before we could proceed.

That done,  we looked at the list (ignoring the instructions at the top, but more about that later!).  We saw that there was a task in the art room so we decided to go there since it was close to the gym.  She had to draw a self portrait and get the sheet initialed by the teacher and off we went.

The other questions and tasks took place in the hallway of the student's grade, so off we went.  We had answered quite a few and had to go to another teacher's room.  When we got there she looked at our sheet and issued us a "detour".  We had neglected to read that that the questions were supposed to be answered in order!  We had to rush to the second grade hall, where we we issued our punishment.  Samantha had to rub her tummy, pat her head and jump on one foot for 30 seconds!

That done, we finished our questions, got them checked off, received our prize for finishing (a weird looking bouncy ball) and proceed to the cafeteria for a spaghetti dinner!  All for free!  With homemade desserts!

...it's back to school

So Max and Samantha tracked back in today.  They were ready to start, but Samantha had some tears about leaving camp on Friday.  They will see some of the same kids in school, but there are a few who do go to other schools, so it was a little weepy for her Friday afternoon.

Max was starting to get bored with the routine of camp so school was a welcome change and he was actually heard to utter this morning "thank goodness school is back in"!  I LOVE year round school because of stuff just like this!

60 days until Germany!  The next time the kids track out (actually the day they track out), we will be on our way!

....it's Tuesday

So yesterday was typically Monday.  I wanted to walk after work, but forgot to pack my tennis shoes.  I figured "oh well, I'll just sit and peddle a bike for awhile, don't need gym shoes for that".  After about 5 minutes of peddling, I had to quit.  Not because of my lack of footwear (I was wearing my Merrill flops), but my butt was killing me!  You would think I would have enough natural padding to be able to sit there for years without feeling the seat!  Nope, not the case......so I just called it a non-exercise day and went and picked up the kids.

Patrick was meeting a client/friend after work for drinks, so the kids and I had Ragu and noodles.  Of course there was the garlic toast - of which Samantha only eats the middle out of one piece and I only get about 1/2 piece because Max gives me the "puppy eyes" and requests half of mine after eating THREE pieces on his own.  Max has a creation he loves to make on Spaghetti nights.  He calls it a "Spaghetti sandwich" which involves taking a piece of garlic bread, loading noodles and sauce on top, then folding it "New York pizza style" and consuming it in about 3 bites!  Hey, whatever....at least he eats a good dinner!

.....it's the end of the weekend

Spent the afternoon at the Y pool with Samantha, Max and their friend Charlie.  It was nice, not grossly hot as it has been the past few days.  I got in an hour walk while Patrick watched (?) the kids.  At least he was there in case someone had to tattle (Samantha) or be scolded (Max).

One more week of Track Out for the kids and then they return to the fourth grade.  Mixed feelings....once back at school I won't have to pack the requisite "lunch and two snacks" every morning but it means back to homework which is, sad to say, getting a little challenging for me!  Well, the math anyway......

So far I have been able to figure out most of the work and Samantha's teacher has introduced us to a great math tutor, so there is always someone to turn to.  Plus Patrick actually likes math, so if it comes down to it, math can wait for Daddy to come home.

So here's a thought.....

Dear Daughter

I thought that may be it might be fun to start blogging.  I know I like to read the blogs of friends/family and other (read strangers) people's blogs.  But maybe my life isn't as interesting as the people I read and this will be a total bust!

But the fam (Patrick, me, the kids and my mother-in-law) will be venturing to Germany in October and this might be a way to keep up with the prep before and the trip.  There might also be an expat assignment in our future, but that is a way aways.

We will just have to wait and see if this is something that remains fun because once something becomes a chore, I will drop it like it's a bad habit (too bad that doesn't apply to bad habits)!