Playing hookie

We don't have "snow days" in Houston. You know, the days of the week where a blanket of snow covers the ground, therefore sending your children to school becomes to dangerous in certain parts of the country? Well, here in Houston, we just have hurricanes that wipe you out for weeks at a time. Regardless of the natural disaster, today Ty got to take advantage of what we'll call a "snow day" which he spent with Reese and myself at the zoo. The weather was a cool 81 degrees and we couldn't pass it up.

Here's the trick: send them to school like normal, pick them up a few hours later after attendance has been taken and when your pretty sure they'll be having 3 sets of "specials" in a row, ensuring any guilt you may have had go out the window. It's kindergarten, on top of that it's the first few months of kinder where all of the naughty children are still working the classroom. They're not missing much.

And we'll likely do it all over again. In a few months. Especially after Ty tells me the next day, "Mom, I still like that you took me out of school. I will never forget that day."

Jaden is up next, except her "snow day" takes a little more effort to be sure she's not missing out on important lessons. Ty's was on a whim and he had no idea. Jaden's will have to be scheduled and not near as lengthy.

This deserves a post of its own

Let me first apologize to the general public who might happen to fall upon this post. It's one of those things where you just have to know the guy. Mostly, this video post has been created as a site where my husbands extended family can view the video. Blackmailing Ryan would be fun too, but he has no shame.

Anderson/Harris family members:

Ryan was asked impromptu to bust out these lyrics from an old song that Kyle had downloaded and brought to Utah when visiting this summer. Enjoy Ryan's rendition of The Smiths.

The first video is to wet your appetite. Let me know if you didn't wet your pants through the second one. Err, maybe you just had to be there.

VIDEO ONE

VIDEO TWO

In case you're wondering his captivated audience was Jaden and Kate.

Besides witnessing Ryan's painful singing debut, (and it does look painful the way he has to arch his whole body to hit the high notes) I also find it interesting to watch Marshall's reaction to his father making a fool of himself . . . there is no reaction. I guess Marshall has been plenty exposed. In fact, Marshall reminds us of a "younger, less hairy" Ryan. So, we'll be looking forward to that "special" time when Marshall might be ready to perform.

Not to be outdone by her siblings. . . here is Reese

She is the cutest little thing and we can't get enough of her. We'd love to bottle her up so she'd stop growing because we absolutely love this phase of her life. I love when toddlers start to comprehend what your saying and then try to answer back in a babble like we are two adults conversing. She's a good listener, she goes where she's told and does what she's told, for the most part. You can't ask for much more than that at this stage. Quite an entertaining little gal.

She misses her siblings now that they are gone at school all day. I didn't realize how much entertainment Ty was for her. I have a new shadow now, she used to be Ty's. Good thing she's cute. Reese has every last Harris family member wrapped around her little finger.

Having just come upon these slimy looking amphibians Reese is obviously disgusted. I love this video. It captures her adorable babbling along with her silly personality, as of late.

What I'll miss about Ty because he starts kindergarten today. . .

I will miss miniature Lego pieces meticulously placed around every nook and cranny of this home: in my bed and under my sheets, on chair rail, on piano keys, on shelves behind picture frames, in the pantry, every where you walk and on every makeshift ledge that is level to Ty's height. Yet, they are never where you thought you left them and impossible to locate when desperately needed.

I will miss the "little man" in Ty's stomach that will remind him around 2:00 o'clock each day that he hasn't eaten lunch, as he is now in my kitchen desperate for food. Because, Ty is playing hard and can't break for lunch at noon, when everyone else does.

I will miss Ty begging for someone to play baseball with him in the backyard. Of course, he only asks during the HOTTEST part of the day when the sun hasn't rotated off the back yard yet. Anyways, that couldn't possibly make a difference.

I will miss Ty getting in the car to leave the house and after strapping on his belt say, "I'm thirsty. Can I get a drink?" or even better "Wait I forgot my Lego guy. Can I go get him?"

I will miss my little shadow that, as of yesterday, completely adored and loved to be with me because from here on out it will never be the same.

Here's to an awesome year Ty guy. I will miss you terribly!

Note to self: refrain from posting the same day emotions are running high. Drop off was easy, blogging is not.

Update: About three days into school I mentioned to Ty that I had missed him on one particular day. This was his reply: " I missed you too mom. I miss you every time I say Ms. Christensen's name."

A second Update: Again, I told Ty that I missed him being at school. I promise I'm not trying to manipulate the kid. The last time I told him I missed him was over two weeks ago and that's when I got his first reply.

Tonight while getting Ty ready for bed this was our conversation:

Mom: I missed you today, buddy.

Ty: I missed you too.

Mom: When do you miss me?

Ty: During learning time.

Mom: What's learning time?

Ty: You know, when you learn.

Mom: Oh. Why do you miss me then?

Ty: Because that's when the teacher doesn't know what I'm thinking about.

I love this little man. We'll let it slide that he wasn't paying much attention, right now "learning time" consists of your basic 5 shapes and the numbers 1-5. So day dream away Ty guy!

The first day of the rest of their lives

Ty's first day of kindergarten and Jaden's first day of fourth grade at Mary Marek.

I overheard this conversation between Jaden and Ty this morning, the first day of school, as they had convened in Ty's room - well before the alarm was to go off. Both were were beyond excited to begin their day. During this time Jaden took the opportunity to give Ty a few pointers as only an experienced sibling can.

Jaden (in a very strict low voice): "You know Ty, if you ever get in trouble for talking out of turn, or not listening, or not sharing you'll probably get a warning. After that you'll loose recess and after that you'll get sent to the principles office. You DO NOT want to go there because you could get suspended."

Ty: "What's suspended?"

Mom: "Jaden, that will be all. Thanks for the helpful tips, now go get dressed."

Happy 9th birthday today Jaden!

Birthday breakfast in bed is a tradition in our home. It is a tradition that, for Jaden, nearly didn't happen this year! Luckily, the birthday girl woke the sleeping giant and reminded her (or rather demanded) that breakfast be on its way. In my defense, it was 6:45 - honestly, I can't remember a single time during the summer that this "little princess" ate breakfast or even woke before 8:00 a.m. As well, school doesn't officially begin until tomorrow. So, I'll be on my game tomorrow and not a day earlier, even if it is a birthday. From the looks of it, she suffered miserably until her tray arrived.

Here's how Jaden wants to spend her birthday, as well as her last day of summer: breakfast in bed, put backpack together which includes labeling, organizing and then reorganizing it (that should take 2 hours or more, which allows time for this post), hair trim, hit the theaters to see G-force, catch a few HGTV design shows through out the day - her all time favorite, and meet dad with the family this evening at the restaurant Mimi's - they have a bread basket "to die for" says Jaden.

Jaden had a fabulous "friend" birthday party a few days back. Maybe I'll get to post that at some point.

I'll take 3 out of 6

Love being with my sisters!  Can't get enough of them.  Always question why I live so far from them.  Can't wait to get back together.  We missed you Deon, Charity and Elle!

P.S. Don't worry, that's just Vinnie's abnormally large leg that is going to eat us after this picture is taken.