My sweet little boy

I can't remember exactly what you have to do to earn a trip to the prize bin at school but I remember its a reward for good behavior and a big deal when you earn something. This week Collin earned his first trip to it. They keep it stocked with cool toys and pencils and stuff the kids like. Collin had his choice of whatever he wanted and he chose a green pony tail holder with 2 white daisies on it. For me! He was so excited when I got him from my neighbor's after school. He gave me a huge hug and told me he had something for me in his book bag. Then he got it out and gave it to me and told me he picked it out from the prize bin at school. Of course I cried. I'm an incredible sap and I cry over everything. How could I not cry over such a thoughtful act? It also made me immensely proud that he would think of someone else besides himself once in a while. All those moments where I question my parenting ability faded away for a while because we gotta be doing something right if our kid can be that thoughtful.

Of course then he turned right around that night while we were out to eat at Red Lobster and decided to delight us with a new little ditty he picked up from a friend. He points at each of us as he sings "Skunk in the barnyard. P.U.! Somebody farted. That's YOU!" I giggled. I couldn't help it. It was hysterical. I then had to get myself under control and tell him that while I found the song thoroughly amusing it was completely inappropriate for a restaurant. He can sing it as much as he wants at home but no more when we're out in public. Interestingly enough, I haven't heard it since. I'm sure I will though. Both my kids love music and singing and Nick was listening intently as Collin was singing. I'm sure I haven't heard the last of that skunk song yet.

Fall Begins...

Collin's first day of school after he rode the bus home. That smile says it all!

Collin waiting to be "sponged" back into the game. I don't know why he calls subbing sponging but he does. I keep reminding him that its sub not sponge so maybe by the next game....

Coach Daddy and Collin (#6).

So much has been happening lately and its been hard to find an extended period to sit down and write about it all. The biggest happening is that Collin started kindergarten. There was much trepidation leading up to this event, mostly on my part but a fair amount on his as well. It was all for naught. He seems to love it. His teacher is very nice and he has come home every day with a smiley face on his behavior chart. In typical little boy fashion, its like pulling teeth to get him to tell me about his day.
Me: Tell me about your day. What did you do?
Collin: It was good.
Me: Tell me what you learned.
Collin: Nothing.
Me: Ok, who did you sit with at lunch?
Collin: Jacob, Tackle and Mystery.
Me: Who??
I've met Jacob but I have no idea who Tackle or Mystery might be. He's come home with some new songs and several awards for good behavior which he is very proud of. I'll have to shoot video of him singing the "Tooty-Ta" song. It is hysterical. He likes school because its fun. I like school for a number of reasons. First and foremost, it has made bedtime a breeze. He goes to bed like an angel now because he's actually tired. I also like it because I only have to get one kid up and ready to go in the morning now so my mornings are easier.

The boys are both playing soccer and taking swim lessons again this fall. Nick is doing the junior striker program that Collin did at his age and I'm very impressed with how well he's doing. He is engaged and follows directions from the coach with absolutely no prompting from me. He was so excited to go to the first practice. Collin had his first game today. He is very excited because Tim is the assistant coach for his team. He calls him Coach Daddy. Their team got crushed today but they had tons of fun and I don't think they realized it because there is no official score. The other team had a little kid who probably could have played with the 7 and 8 year olds and fit right in. I was proud of our team because they all gave it their best effort and had a great time.

Collin is also starting Sunday school in a couple of weeks. Tim and I will be taking turns being the second teacher in one of the classes. I don't know if it will be his or not yet. We're looking forward to that as well.

Its going to be a very busy year for us. There is certainly more than enough to keep us busy! I will try to find more time to blog and keep things a little more updated than I have lately.