Watch and Learn my Friends....watch and learn...

This morning, I softly opened your door
Reluctant to rouse you from sleep
Your blond hair all tousled from a little boy's dream
And your body curled up in heap.

My mind reached back into time
To a little blue bundle cuddled up in my arms
And gentle hints of nursery rhyme.

Was it not a mere yesterday
That you were learning how to walk
And I know that it was just last week
We were teaching you to talk.

But somehow, I managed to waken you
To your breakfast waiting there
You dressed your self in your finest clothes
And you carefully combed your hair.

Oh little boy, I love you so
And I felt like such a fool
To be so hesitant to let go of you
On your very first day of school.

Author: Unknown



Today Marks the very first day of Kindergarten for Jacob. I am going to keep this short....as I can sum it up in as little as 7 words......

After Jacob got all ready this morning, including picking out his own clothes, dressing himself, eating breakfast for brain power, brushing and flossing his teeth, picking out shoes that make him run faster, and putting gel in his hair because it will make him look cool to the big kids, he put on his back pack and announced to all:

"Watch and Learn My Friends, watch and learn". Then he headed out the door to catch the bus.

It was priceless and there are very few times in life I am speechless and this was one of them.

Day 1 - SUCCESS!

What's Happening!

Hey - What's happening with you? How is the summer going? Anything new? Any trips planned?

We are just busy plugging away through life - house stuff, tonsil care, gearing up for school, Robb's travels, birthday parties, BBQ, babysitters, and errands.

Friday we spent the night ordering Chinese food and watching the Opening Ceremonies of the Olympic games. Say what you want, don't really care.....we LOVED it. Every moment was captivating to us and enjoyed it to the very end.

Saturday Uncle Luke (my youngest brother) took the kids to the zoo. A first for Uncle Luke to watch the kids. They had a great time and Luke said, he did to. However, after watching them for 5 hours, he went home and took a nap all afternoon. Ha, ha!

Meanwhile, Robb and I picked out the rock for the front of the house and fireplace and had a three hour lighting meeting. WOW! My head was about to explode after that meeting. I couldn't make another decision if I had to. However, it was fun looking through all the lights and imagining them in our home.

Saturday night the kids had a sleep over. Each one of them had a cousin over. We went and played miniature golf and then went out for pizza. It was a lot of fun and the kids did great. However, I must admit....Robb and I looked like the in laws that don't have kids and took the nieces and nephews for the night to attempt to be cool auntie and uncle....4 at a restaurant and the two of us, they won. They went to bed around 10:00, all slept in the same room and through the night. SUCCESS!



Sunday, the kids got to go to the cousins and go to the spray park and play for the morning. Robb and I met with our cabinet guy to make a plan for the house. Now that was fun going through the work shoppe seeing all the options and custom work the cabinet maker is working on. I think this may have been my favorite part thus far.

On the house front....we have a roof with shingles now and the covered back porch is on. So, I imagine it's time to start going to work on the inside. We meet with the electrician tomorrow, so wiring here we come. Therefore, might be time to start taking pictures of the inside. Coming soon!

Sneak Peak!

Ni Hao!

I just can't, just can't look at them (it's killing me)....but if you want, here are some sneak peak photos of the Opening Ceremonies.

ENJOY!

It's time...It's time...It's time!

Oh my, oh my, oh my.......we can't wait until 6:30c time tonight....our tushes will be planted in front of the television (probably the only time you will see me write that comment), taking our breathes away watching the opening ceremonies. CAN NOT WAIT! In fact, I already have the local Chinese food menu sitting on the table for review. Have fun, cheering on your favorite countries and athletes.

Jacob has survived his tonsil removal remarkably. In fact, we keep commenting on if we hadn't seen them, we wouldn't be to sure that they took them out. It's been tough attempting to keep him calm this week. I am a believer of when the kids aren't feeling well, let them call the shots as to the activities they chose to do and what to eat, and he has chosen to do anything and everything and the eating has not stopped. In fact, maybe since he can breathe better and possibly swallow better he is enjoying his food much better. We also have been busy gearing up for school. I can't believe Kindergarten! WOW! It's been an unbelievable fast 5 years for Jacob. I think maybe he is getting a bit nervous and he keeps telling me he isn't going. He keeps telling me that 'preschool is more funner and that he wants to go back there, because in Kindergarten you have to work and he isn't ready to go to work'. I just tell him, you never are and it's the law. No seriously, we talk about it and all his new friends, recess, lunch time, and all the fun things he will be learning. I even made a date with him to come visit him and have lunch the first day Isabella goes to school. I hope that works for now. We decided to not to many activities this fall for Jacob since school and moving is going to be an adjustment. So, in September he has decided to start Karate again. I can't wait and hope he enjoys it this time. Some how I think he will be karate chopping everything in site.

Isabella is doing great. She is excited about pre-school and thinks all her same friends will be in her class. I haven't suggested otherwise. I am not that crazy! We enrolled her in a small dance class at the community center for the end of the summer to see if she enjoys it well enough to continue on at a dance school. Well, she enjoys it. She is all over the place, not paying attention, there to see her friend, and adds words to the song they are learning. That being said, she loves it. So she is enrolled in gymnastics and dance this fall. I am not sure they will keep her in the class since she really does dance to her own drummer, but we are going to try. She is talking more and more lately, and even tells on her big brother. Last night she told me she likes Jazz music and Princesses, so that is where her dreams lie at night. I want to be 3 again.

On the house front. It's coming along. No pictures of the house (keep forgetting the camera when we go), but our apartment is filled with samples, books, catalogs, and a wish list a mile long (possibly a map of the banks we plan to rob). We are meeting with vendors whenever possible and I am enjoying the process every step of the way. Robb on the other hand, well a lot of choices makes him nervous and I just keep seeing him wipe his brow when it comes to money (maybe even a few more grey hairs). Below is a photo of just a few of the samples that have taken over our pad (I noticed a lot of neutral colors - I am trying not to do that - off to make changes). In fact the kids have started using them as toys, they make great tunnels. So, this weekend...plans to get lights and light planned done, meet with the cabinet guy, and get our appliances completed. That is ambitious for us (since we have limited sitter time and the stores aren't open on Sunday), but I do hope it happens or I am on my own next week as Robb is leaving town for work....does that also mean 'carte blanche' next week?

4 Days, 11 Hours...and so on.....

Our house is so excited about the 2008 Summer Olympic Games. We have been learning a lot about the games as well as the country of China.

Click here to learn more.

Or here to check your favorite sport and it's air time.

So, our plans are to order Chinese, stay inside from this heat wave we are having here in the mid-west and watch the opening ceremony on Friday night. What are your plans?

The THEME/SLOGAN for the Beijing, China 2008 Olympic Games:

"One World One Dream" fully reflects the essence and the universal values of the Olympic spirit -- Unity, Friendship, Progress, Harmony, Participation and Dream. It expresses the common wishes of people all over the world, inspired by the Olympic ideals, to strive for a bright future of Mankind. In spite of the differences in colors, languages and races, we share the charm and joy of the Olympic Games, and together we seek for the ideal of Mankind for peace. We belong to the same world and we share the same aspirations and dreams.

"One World One Dream" is a profound manifestation of the core concepts of the Beijing Olympic Games. It reflects the values of harmony connoted in the concept of "People's Olympics", the core and soul of the three concepts -- "Green Olympics, High-tech Olympics and People's Olympics". While "Harmony of Man with Nature" and "Peace Enjoys Priority" are the philosophies and ideals of the Chinese people since ancient times in their pursuit of the harmony between Man and Nature and the harmony among people, building up a harmonious society and achieving harmonious development are the dream and aspirations of ours. It is our belief that peace and progress, harmonious development, living in amity, cooperation and mutual benefit, and enjoying a happy life are the common ideals of the people throughout the world.
"One World, One Dream" is simple in expressions, but profound in meaning. It is of China, and also of the world. It conveys the lofty ideal of the people in Beijing as well as in China to share the global community and civilization and to create a bright future hand in hand with the people from the rest of the world. It expresses the firm belief of a great nation, with a long history of 5,000 years and on its way towards modernization, that is committed to peaceful development, harmonious society and people's happiness. It voices the aspirations of 1.3 billion Chinese people to contribute to the establishment of a peaceful and bright world.

The English translation of the slogan is distinctive in sentence structure. The two "One's are perfectly used in parallel, and the words "World" and "Dream" form a good match. The slogan is simple, meaningful, inspiring, and easy to remember, read and spread.

In Chinese, the word "tongyi", which means "the same", is used for the English word "One". It highlights the theme of "the whole Mankind lives in the same world and seeks for the same dream and ideal".

House Update...

We have R*O*O*F! Woooooooo Whoooooooooooooo! So, with a roof and windows it means we can move in - right? Who needs doors? We always wanted to have an open door policy.

FRONT:


LEFT SIDE/GARAGE (Right Side - so not photo worthy):


BACK:

Less of him, but still the same cute kid.....

We are home and Jacob is acting like nothing happened. He really is asking to eat and wants an apple and chips. We started with pudding and then some soup for lunch. The surgery went great. Everyone was so wonderful and the doctor was great. They even kept his tonsils in a jar for him to look at once he woke up. They also had to show mom and dad to make sure they took the right thing out. I have know idea what tonsils and such look like. The doctor said they were some of the biggest tonsils they has ever taken out of a 5 year old. They also said he would probably be a better eater once he heals because it's easier for him to swallow. Hmmmmmmmmmmmm - that could be fun. So, for now he is playing quietly and on pain medicine. We are to keep him mainly in the house and quiet for a week and then once we see the doctor next Friday he will more than likely turn him loose again. They did tell us that more than likely Sunday night thru Tuesday will be the most painful hardest times as the scabs are forming and may be painful. So, wish us luck on keeping a 5 year old during the summer quiet and laying low. Thanks to everyone who was thinking and praying for Jacob this morning. It worked. Also thanks for the emails, phone calls, offer of help and even a meal delivery. We all appreciate how thoughtful you all are. I may call upon some help next week as Robb is traveling and Jacob may become a bit restless.

Meanwhile, Isabella had her first sleep-away sleepover. She said she had a great time and was tired today. She is busy playing 'doctor' to Jacob. As soon as she got home she went and got her doctor kit and asked Jacob where is hurt. She is being very sweet to him, but this to shall past. Ha, ha!

Sorry, no cute photos, the patient wouldn't let me take any photos. Maybe we will get out to the house and post some photos. We have a roof line now and the are working on framing the inside. You can actually see what the rooms are going to look like. It's really a lot of fun and exciting watching it all come to life.