Houston, we have a photo

Meet Diana, Talans first love(in the pink shirt)...

Lock your doors! Board your windows!

"The zombies are going to come. It will be scary for 3 days."
--Syphr

He also told me he saw a zombie driving a Lightening McQueen car, so I'm not sure how credible he is on information about the zombie apocalypse. Either way, I would rather be prepared. Wouldn't you?

Apple Camp

Over the summer, Ashton attended a 3 day camp at the Apple Store. It was pretty much the most fun thing he did all summer. The kids were taught how to edit a movie, and make their own soundtrack. At the end of the week all the kids got together for a mini film festival to see all the masterpieces. They were all slightly painful to watch, but hey, for a bunch of 8-12 year olds, they didn't do half bad. 

That said, here is Ashton's masterpiece. It contains a very fast story set up so get your speed reading eyes on, as well as only two lines in the entire movie. 

Ashton has added movie producer to his list of jobs he would be awesome at. 

Oh, yes he did just say that.

Me: Talan I have to ask you a serious question about Kindergarten.

Talan: Okay

Me: Are there any pretty girls in your class?

Talan: Yes, the big fat girl with the fat head.


Thinking we were going to have to talk about not referring to people by their body or head size, I quizzed him further and found he is not joking. He does have eyes for this specific girl in his class. Although, he has no idea what her name is, he could tell me she has white skin and brown hair, and...he loves her.

Science Rules

Ashton has deemed today the best day of school EVER!!!

Not only did Ashton learn his teacher loves Bill Nye and his many science videos, but she is also a very big science lover herself. They spent most of the morning learning about the periodic table of elements, how to calculate how many protons, neutrons, and electrons are in an atom. He is in science heaven, and spent a good chunk of the evening picking a random element on his periodic table and correctly drawing it up. 

Today is my best day of Ashton's school life ever because this is the most information I have ever gotten from the kid about his day. I'm glad to know after 5 years of school, he has finally admitted to learning something!

Pre-Pre school

This is the very early beginning of the class of 2028. 

the many skills of Talan

Upon arriving at the kindergarten door today I was not only greeted by Talan running out, but also his teacher close behind. Usually this means your kid did something he wasn't supposed to. They are big on telling the parents every little thing. Needless to say I was slightly worried that two days into school there was already an issue. 

Instead, I was greeted by a giggling teacher who said, "Talan is doing great, he even gave me a flower today!" 

And, we have a brown-noser.

After walking away I asked Talan if he had given Mrs. Cox a flower today at recess and he said, 

"Yes. That is because I love her so much, and because it was yellow like her shirt."

I'm glad Talan loves Kindergarten just as much as I'm loving all the things I can get done in the six hours he is away, and securing a spot on the teachers good side. Well played Talan.

In the big leagues

We have come to the golden day in September when kids head back to school, and the house goes from constant chaos to quiet. I was on the fence, until about a month ago if Talan would be going to Kindergarten this year. Ultimately we made the decision to send him, knowing he just might have to do Kindergarten twice, which is not a big deal at all. Today we might find out if Kindergarten is ready for a Talan. 

Syphr didn't even finish his breakfast before he sat in the stroller  ready to go. I'm not sure if this means he really needs a big brother break, or he was excited at the thought of an early morning walk. 

Not only is Talan in Kindergarten, but today marks Ashton's last first day of elementary school. He is now king of the school as a big time fifth grader. How time flies. 

Take note: I took both boys out and said, "pick whatever you want to wear on the first day of school." While Ashton had to go to several different stores to find just the right shirt, Talan put his together in about 10 minutes. It completely captures Talan's style. Just be glad they didn't have his size in the florescent green print shorts he really wanted. His teacher told him on friday she really likes green too, and the brown noser went all out. 

Representing their grade

Syphr must not have understood that taking a ride in the stroller means you ride in the stroller instead of walk. 

Notice the feet! Guess what his feet have grown into!!

Now I sit at home in a quiet house and find myself counting down until 2:30 when just yesterday I couldn't wait another minute for them to go. 

Glide, young grasshopper, glide.

At the beginning of the summer I thought it would be an amazing idea to get young danger a glide bike. He will be gliding as fast as I can run by the end of the summer is what I thought. That was not the case. A few months ago he would have lost a race to a snail he went so slow. It took him a very good 20-30 minutes to get all the way around the courtyard out front. But he would keep trucking along until he had made it all the way around. It was most excruciating for me, probably about as painful as playing the animals talking game, to walk behind him for those 20-30 minutes since he would gently lay his bike on the ground at any hint of falling, and send out a very loud distress call for help. 

Now, I can say, we have improvement. What I once thought might have been the worst idea I have ever had, is beginning to see the light at the end of the tunnel. Not only would he now beat a snail at a race around the courtyard, but he might also beat a turtle. He has cut his courtyard lap time in half, and has learned how to pick his bike up after a very slow motion fall.

The best part of all this might be the adorableness beaming from that oversized helmet, which you obviously saw in the video he totally needs from that brutal fall.