Ursa minor

The real story has been a wonderful week with Aunt Ruth! But I am awaiting a photo of the final Spider-Man decorated Sam's room, and will post about Ruth's visit in a day or two....

Very eventful weekend:

Started with a lazy Saturday. Read books (can't get enough of the Magic Treehouse books--I think we'll finish the series before too long), and adorned the kitchen blackboard

Went to the first of this weekend's open houses, for Sara, who is graduating from high school. Congrats, Sara! We'll miss you this summer!

Then off to a group play date/picnic out in the country. (The parents both work with psychologically very troubled populations. One of them is even an Obie. They are a lot of fun to talk to. But this is Sam and Josh's blog, not ours!) Sam squealed with delight when Alicia drove off with him in her electric car. Surely a high point.

Then we drop Sam off at a play date with Lexy (had a great time!) while we have a take-out-Chinese date with Josh. Very pleasant, and over too quickly. (Lexy's home schooled, and her parents shared with my a funny bumper sticker, which reads, "OUR GIRL IS HOME SCHOOLED. I DON'T EVEN KNOW WHAT GRADE SHE'S IN!"

Sunday afternoon the boys and I went to family day at the art gallery downtown. A storyteller recounted myths and played a few notes on the Native American flute. A face painter made Sam into a bear. One artist helped Sam weave strips of cloth into the cast-iron fence and another helps Sam make pipe-cleaner-and-cloth spectacles. A docent shows us the "fiber art" exhibit (a docent Sam later agrees "rambles"). The afternoon ends with a long interpretive dance session (see movie below) in which the kids walk like animals while listening to tinkly music, run around carrying colored pieces of fabric, and finally form a parade around the atrium.

Sam couldn't have been happier. He was into it. Even the rambling docent whom he dutifully attended to for quite some time until I lured him away with arts & crafts.

Sadly, at the second high-school-graduation open house of the weekend (congratulations, Corinne!), Sam, who had a sudden headache, threw up a little, sending us back home, where he sacked out for a couple of hours, looking like a limp dishrag. I suspect it was dehydration; he went to bed in much better spirits.

As mentioned above, in a day or two you can expect Ruth's Visit, Part 2, which is worth waiting for. A teaser, though: When Ruth first brought Sam in to let him help her paint, she put down a big plastic drop cloth. Aunt Ruth warned Sam away when he was in danger of ripping the plastic. He obeyed, then smiled, and said, "That would be tear-able!"

That's m' boy! :-)

Oh, one bonus: A movie from the recent Westerville Collins weekend, to give you your Josh fix!

Sleeping like a baby

Sam Graduates! (Really!)

Sam graduated from kindergarten this past Friday.

I am going to assume that there is a very sound reason for kindergarten graduations which comes from Madame Montessori. You might as well too. :-) (As Aunt Ruth just said, "I can't believe Sam's graduated--seems like just last week he was in kindergarten.")

Sam actually has some things to be proud of, and I am happy to reinforce that.

The kids marched in to Pomp and Circumstance.

Sam was second, and showed great gravitas. The kindergartners sang the Beatle's When I'm 64 and The Rainbow Connection. The Directress Dana (the very tall blonde woman) read a poem by Khalil Gibran which actually wasn't at all trite. The parents had half a dozen videocameras with tripods lined up in back and various cameras in the audience, most of which were worth more than our accord. The third graders, who were doing some sort of moving-on ceremony, read a very nice poem they wrote themselves.

And after all this they fed us a pleasant brunch while the kids ran around and the parents looked at displays with photos from all stages of the lives of their five-year-olds.

Ms. Mulvaney is the super-pregnant one. She is a superb teacher who is able to ride herd over two dozen kids while knowing each of them and knowing what they need, what their strengths are, and what's coming next for them. I have been very impressed with her, not only her willingness to impose discipline but to also show compassion when Sam was struggling.

It's been a tough time for Sam as he's gotten a younger brother (and is no longer the center of attention), and is facing moving to first grade and leaving behind his best friend Ethan. And for that matter, he's saying goodbye to Ms. Mulvaney, his teacher of two years. Six hours per day, she gets more time with him than I do and almost more than Susan does.

So Sam's been acting out both at home and at school. Last week he wrote "Ethan" on a pot in the entryway--a big no-no of course--and rather than come down on him (which she would normally have done), she gave him a hug, knowing the transition he's dealing with.

That's a teacher.

Next year he'll do first grade at the same school. We know they'll do an excellent job (the classroom atmosphere is great, the kids learn a lot, and the teacher-to-student ratio is fantastic), and he's had enough transitions for now.

P.S.--added two photos to the Rockets & Projectiles post.

Ruth's Visit, Part 1

Aunt Ruth arrived Friday, and this post is to establish evidence for Paul and the rest of the Mansons that she is having a good time.

Mostly a good wholesome time holding Josh (as she is right now), or picking out Spider Man colors for Sam's room. But also, tonight, a good time at Dinosaur Barbeque. For those who haven't been there, you need to make it a high priority for your next visit! Amazing food, great service (much to our delight), and unique atmosphere!

And some top-notch Harleys outside, as Ruth can also attest to.

Pilgrimage of the Westerville Collinses

We were pleased to host (well, enjoy a visit by) the Westerville Collinses over the weekend. Highlights included:

• Mini golf (Sam was in heaven)
• Lots of Josh time
• Getting to see the Westerville Collinses

If you know them, you know this is more than enough to satisfy!

Everyone got further acquainted with Joshua, Sam had cause to giggle a great deal, and we were delighted to get caught up again with Stu and Sue, especially the newly graduated Emily(!) and to share our love of Hondas with Kevin.

One last photo--the day they left, Mom and Dad swept through.

Deep thoughts

Sam: Do you know what's better than anything in the world?

Me: What?

Sam: Jesus! He's better than lunch boxes or germs!

This was followed by the question, "Do poor people have birthdays?" I said yes and tried to work in that Jesus was poor, even. Not sure if that will make poor people look better or Jesus look worse.

KatiePalooza!

In just three hours, Sam and Josh's cousin Katie departs for home. She's been here for a little less than a week, and it's flown by. Sam has had a great time with her and she's gotten fully acquainted with Josh.

Some highlights of the week, including her trips to various shops, include a production of The Music Man, and a trip to Letchworth State Park. The park is a tremendous gorge cut by the Genesee river on its way to Lake Ontario--much as the Colorado river cuts through the Grand Canyon, though on a smaller scale.

Also shown here: Sam's new Spiderman t-shirt, which turns color in sunlight (cool!), and Sam eating a popsicle made with his new popsicle kit from Aunt Sue (fun!)--while amazingly not staining the new airy summer pjs from his Aunt Ruth.

Josh is gradually sleeping longer. Last night we fed him at 11 pm and 7 am, with only one feeding in between. At his last checkup he was 13.5 lbs.; I wouldn't be surprised if he's over 14 now.

And despite a summer cold (blah) he continues to be cheery and to interact more and more with whoever is willing to lock eyes and

wait patiently.