The Sound of Music

This has been a much anticipated day at our little home. We're calling it Viola Homecoming Day!

Back in the spring, as the final days of elementary school were winding down, all of the 4th graders were given a choice of an elective for their next school year. They could either choose a combination class of Art/Drama/Music or they could sign up for Orchestra and learn to play a string instrument.

I'm an unabashed band geek and it took every ounce of restraint I could muster to not try to push Wonder Boy into selecting Orchestra. And at first, he seemed to feel that Art/Drama/Music would be a better fit. After all, that wouldn't be too different from the Art and Music classes he had been taking all through elementary school. I think the familiarity with it really appealed to him. So I held my tongue.

Then the 5th Grade orchestra made a trip to his school for a short concert. And apparently it was love at first note! The Boy came home from school that afternoon with a true spring in his step and couldn't wait to tell us that he had decided that orchestra was the way to go for him!

All through the summer he has waited for this particular aspect of his new school routine. It was a couple of days into the school year before they even got to SEE their new instruments. And a few days more before they could use them in class.

It took more than 2 weeks into the new school year before he was allowed to bring it home for the first time. And that brings us to today, Viola Homecoming Day!

At least 20 minutes of practice per day. And Wonder Boy is enjoying every second of it. We are all enjoying it actually. The viola makes a really lovely rich sound and I look forward to those 20 minutes each day. In fact, I'm already dreaming of that first concert - December will be here before we know it!

First Day of 5th Grade

Every year as August draws to a close, I wonder where the summer has gone. It's my busiest time of the year and before I know it, another summer has slipped away.

I might not even know the time had passed if it weren't for the notices from Wonder Boy's school that it's time to gather supplies and gear up for the first day of classes.

This year is a bit of a transition for Wonder boy, for all of us really. You see, this year Wonder Boy is in a new school. He's leaving behind the familiar halls of our neighborhood elementary school and walking through the doors of the area Intermediate School. He's going from 2 teachers covering all of his class material to a different teacher for each subject. He's got a locker to find and a combination to remember.

It's a lot of changes to tackle at once. But I have no doubt Wonder Boy will sail right through it.

It's not very obvious in these photos, but the Boy is as excited as he is nervous. Sure, there are a lot of changes to swallow, but there's a lot of independence that comes with those changes. And he's been ready for that for quite some time now.

I think the harder part will be for us ... remembering that he's not our elementary school kiddo any longer.

Somehow ... I don't think he'll let us forget.

Someone Press Pause, Please

There are days, like today for instance, where I would love to be able to stop (or at least slow down) time - for at least a little while.

Yes, I'm having one of those soppy mommy moments where I realize that right before my very eyes my boy is growing up.

And I'm not just talking about him getting physically taller, though he is doing that as well. It hasn't been like when he was small and would reach some major milestone that we could celebrate, call the grand parents and get excited. No, this seems more subtle than that.

I'm noticing little things - often it's something we no longer have to remind him to do; sometimes it's a genuine offer to help out and that moment when you realize it really would be a big help to have him join in; sometimes it's a look where he so reminds me of Wonder Dad; and other times it's sharing a moment together when I realize I'm just being myself, not just his "mom."

I don't know if any of this makes any sense, but I wanted to get it down before the moment slips away again.

Poor Sick Puppy

Our puppy princess is learning a tough lesson right now. She's learning that licking (or swallowing, I'm not sure which at present) a toad is not the best snack choice.

We'be been to the vet twice in the last 24 hours trying to get her tummy to stop its rumbling. And I think we've finally rounded that corner, but she sure did give us a scare. You can tell in this photo just how bad she must be feeling - not only by the sad droopy face, but by the fact that for the first time since she was a small pup, we don't have to restrain her from charging me when she see me with the camera.

Poor, poor puppy girl. Hopefully she will think twice before sampling the amphibians in the back yard next time. (One can hope, right?)

Wearable Art

The idea came from a craft learned at camp. Wonder Boy couldn't wait to get home and show us what he had made! Survival bracelets. At camp they used boat rope. Good sturdy stuff, inexpensive, and lots of colors and patterns available.

But really, you're supposed to use paracord, he told us. Could we find anything like that?

We visited the craft store and bought 'craft cord.' It's not the same stuff. Bummer. It's still fun and gave him a chance to try out some new color combinations. But not the right material.

So off to the military depot we trudged. BINGO! They had just what he needed (though it was hidden behind decades of surplus ... well ... surplus)! And by the end of the evening, every member of the family was sporting a fancy new survival bracelet.

We're heading back to the military depot for more colors and such. This was WAY too much fun and it might make nice little gifts for the cousins this Christmas. SWEET!

Wonder Boy has been in a very creative state this summer. I hope it lasts as I am enjoying it every bit as much as he seems to be!

Happy braaaiiinnnsss day, I mean, Birthday!

It's Wonder Dad's birthday! And Wonder Boy looks forward to it every summer (we all do, but seriously, I think Wonder Boy has the best time of it!). As soon as Father's Day winds down, it's time to kick the birthday presentations into high gear. Presents must be considered, food and drink must be decided upon, and most importantly the design for Dad's card must be planned and executed.

I have to admit, watching the Boy come up with his card idea and then put it into play, is my FAVORITE part of the preparations. It's a taxing job for us both, but the end result is NEVER a disappointment. And this year is no exception.

Like last year, the Boy chose a video game theme as the starting point of his design. I was a little surprised when he chose Plants vs Zombies as his theme. I mean .... birthday Zombies?! But zombies it was. And the execution really WAS a gem, let me tell ya!

The card reads: (outside)
It's your birthday,
so scream and shout ...

(inside)
It's good for the plants
(& they keep the Zombies out)!

How cute is that?!

Wonder Boy reminds me more and more of his dad every day. And it is special days like this where it truly shines through.

Happy Birthday Wonder Dad! We love you!

Earning His Stripes

Wonder Boy started judo classes at the age of five. We hoped he would love the sport as much as we do. And he had already spent a good year or two in various karate classes. But we couldn't imagine then how well he would take to it or how much a part of our family it would one day become.

Fast forward 5+ years.

Wonder Boy is the top ranked (youth) judo student at the dojo and has been for quite some time. He sets a good example for discipline, respect, and technique in class. To say we are proud is a serious understatement. We both fully ENJOY watching the Boy in his class. And even though every class is fun to see, there is something truly special about belt test days.

Now that the Boy has reached such a high rank, tests don't come as often as in the past. But that doesn't diminish the fact that Wonder Boy looks forward to them as a chance to shine and show off all he has been learning in class.

Wonder Boy went into this test confident and ready. He glided from technique to technique with hardly a single hesitation. The whole room could feel his excitement and at the end of the evening, he proudly added a new stripe to his belt.

We both hope that the years will continue to find him climbing the ranks, always striving for that next step on the path his black belt and beyond.

Way to go, Wonder Boy! Keep it up!