First day of Third Grade

Kenzie started third grade today! Her teacher’s name is Ms. Grage. It’s her second year of teaching, and her second year at Clark.

Yesterday was rough. Kenzie learned that her Big Crush (from last year) Cameron had transferred out to another school. She came home from “Meet your Teacher” crying…sobbing…confining herself in her room. Cindy went in to console her and heard, “Mom, you know that song, ‘First Love is the Deepest’?”

Well, first, it’s “First Cut is the Deepest,” and second, you’re in the third grade.

So, luckily, today, a full 24 hours after finding out he’s gone, she seems to be fully recovered and “LOVED, LOVED, LOVED school today.” She doesn’t really have any of her friends from last year, but we are hoping that she will make some new ones and settle in quickly. The teacher seems great and Kenzie is very excited for the year ahead.

circus act

Liz and Casey took all four kids to the circus today. What a feat, and I’m not quite sure why they wanted to do this, except that they were planning to take Grammy and Grampy too before Grammy took a spill. But it made for lively conversation this evening.

Mason wants to join the circus as one of the motorcycle riders that spin in a steel ball. I told Casey that if he joins the circus I’m holding her personally responsible. She quickly deflected and pointed out that my folks had taken them the past couple of years.

don’t get any ideas, boys

boys

Grammy’s little helper

Grammy asked if Kenzie could come down to help her with small errands. She has been down there since Wednesday morning and refused to come home tonight, insisting that she wants to stay and help Grammy some more. She makes tea, brings her snacks, fetches her medicine and pushes her wheelchair to the bathroom. She promised to do everything the first time she was asked, and as far as I can tell, that’s what she’s done. Even when Grammy got a shard of glass in her foot, Kenzie reached down and pulled it out, then cleaned up the blood from the floor. Tonight I said to her, “Honey you’ve been working so hard I’m going to pay you.” She immediately said, “Mom, I don’t want your money. I want to be here with Grammy.” She loves her Grammy. Oh, and the kittens.

We’re only a few days into this it’s pretty hard on my mom. She’s in a lot of pain and is frustrated because not only is her pelvis broken in two places, her left arm is broken and useless too. So, she can’t maneuver too much. Luckily Carol has spent the week down with them during the day. This just feels like such a setback for my mom who just recovered from her back surgery. Hopefully the doctor on Monday will tell her she doesn’t need surgery and we can count down the days to a six week recovery.

Pixel and Hoot

A couple of weeks ago Grammy and Grampy adopted two kittens. Their names from the shelter were Pixie and Twinkle, but thankfully they were renamed to Pixel and Hoot. They are very sweet and good companions, especially now that Grammy is wheelchair bound for six weeks.

Coach Grandpa

Grandpa Bob played on our church softball team again this year. We didn’t get a picture of him playing in the field, but this one shows him at his favorite position. He was a good sport, even playing catcher for a few games. His daughter was the coach and she was a bit of a driver. We were glad he didn’t get hurt this year! (Last year he rounded third base and face-planted near the dugout.)

Bear

Sary-Jo and the boys came over today, just in time for our annual "Bear in our Yard" afternoon play date with the kids.

Darwin in the kitchen

Last month our cat Zeke attempted double homicide on the frogs by tipping over their entire aquarium onto the hardwood floor. We found the frogs and saved them. We duct taped the lid onto the base of the aquarium. Then we bought a cute little beta fish and put it in the tank with the frogs. Even though the pet store lady told us they would all live harmoniously, the fish was super aggressive and made the frogs live in terror. They burrowed under the rocks and wouldn’t even come out to eat. So, we rescued the frogs by taking the beta and putting him in a vase. An uncovered vase. This morning I came out to find the vase completely tipped over and the frog completely dried out. This is truly Survival of the Fittest around here.

Grammy

On Monday afternoon, Grammy tripped over her hose while watering plants, broke her hip in two places and her left arm. So, basically three out of her four limbs are useless at the moment. She’s a good sport but it’s going to be a long six weeks as she can’t do much for herself with only her right arm.

Today Kenzie went down there to be her assistant. She fetches tea or whatever Grammy needs.

She made this card for her on the right and Mason made the card on the left.

cheap canoes

although we have two couches…

Boys Club at the zoo

Last week when Kenzie was at Grammy and Grampy’s, Cindy and Casey took the boys to the zoo.