Mr. Fat Lip

So Jack and our concrete floor decided to meet up close and personal, yet again. Remember the concussion earlier in the year? This time he tripped and hit his mouth full on. He ended up with a fat lip the size of Texas and chewed it up pretty good. He also managed to push his 'good' front tooth (not the one that he chipped when he was 2) up into his gum a little bit. This happened on Wednesday, just as G and I were pulling into the driveway from swimming. We could hear him screaming from the street. Pete was doing a great job of blood control/ice pack, but Jack just lost it when he saw me. That little boy cried so hard for a full 20 minutes that he fell asleep on the couch with his brown furry blanket, Ruffy, and an ice pack on his mouth by 7:20, and slept all night. Thursday morning he was bound and determined that he was NOT going to school - it did look pretty bad. But I did not want to start that precedent early on - the rest of him was feeling fine. So, we agreed that Pete and I would both walk him into school and talk to Mrs.Thone and explain why Ruffy was in his backpack. :) He also successfully negotiated a visit from Daddy for kindergarten lunch that day. Of course, Mrs. Thone completely understood. She also told us that she enjoys watching Jack 'teach' in the math corner. Evidently he is conducting free tutoring sessions.

Gracie had a great week - first quizzes in math, reading, and science this week, so anxious to see how those turn out. She confided in me yesterday that she is having trouble seeing the board in math class. Hm...have to keep an eye on that one. I think I got glasses in fifth grade, Mom?? Or was it seventh? Next week we have our first fall ball softball games on Tuesday and Thursday.

Pete is doing great. His flight to San Francisco was cancelled on Thursday, so he was here all week. Upper Michigan next week. He is having fun getting reconnected with old friends on Facebook and got invited to a pheasant hunt in Kansas in November.

Looking forward to moving day next weekend...D

A Picture of Focus

It's Official!

Gracie finally recieved her Arkansas State finalist medal on Monday after practice, presented to her by her team buddy KariAnn. We are so proud of you, Gray!

Hot Rod

Check out this footage of Jack learning to ride his bike without training wheels!

Highlights of the Weekend

1. Pete made Gray a huge peace sign out of foam core for the wall of her room. Dude.

2. Gracie had a sleepover with her longtime BFF Natalie - they are back at the same school this year!

3. Gracie, while chewing a piece of gum, lost half of her upper molar filling. Will be calling Dr. Havard tomorrow.

4. Pete is working on a corner desk in Jack's room.

5. I got all loads of laundry finished on Saturday!

6. Jack is signed up and ready to start back on violin this week.

7. Fall Ball - had practice with G's team. Team name - The Thrillers.

8. Just got back from a Back to School neighborhood pool party. Jack scored an entire large leftover cheese pizza as a parting gift.

9. I made it out of Walmart for under $100.00.

10. Finally got our Wii hooked back up from switching to digital TV. Guitar Hero - game on!

Have a super week everyone!...Love, D

We made it...

...through the first day of school. And I only cried in the drop off line at Gracie's school. I was fine for Jack. Note - the glasses are fashion-statement only.

Gray and her BFF Madison walking in. They were all business.

Approaching Jack's classroom.

Both had a great day, although Gracie came home and went to her room and cried. Madison went in to console her and get the 4-1-1. In a nutshell..."the school is too big, I don't want to grow up, too much to remember." Placed a call to Daddy, who came home early from work. After some TLC and discussion, she is ok, just needed to vent. It IS a big school.

Gotta go get dinner started...chicken spaghetti. Let the rat race begin...D

SCHOOL STARTS TOMORROW!

Jack has already posted a box of tissues in the car for me tomorrow morning. He keeps saying "Can you believe your little diaper-baby is going to Kindergarten?" He's a hoot. Gray is trying to keep her cool, but the nerves are right there about to explode. We had her open house last night and she got to walk through her schedule and find her routes to class, and meet her teachers. If we can make it into the car without a hair or clothing meltdown we should be fine. Check back tomorrow for updates and the pictures! Please say a prayer for a great school year for these two! They are my treasures!...D

It's been a while...

Sorry for the lack of updates, we have had one crazy week! Gracie had 5th grade training camp all Tuesday morning, with a section for parents. That school is so big - 400 5th graders and 400 sixth graders in one building. She is a little freaked out, but excited at the same time. We are told she got the BEST math teacher around (Mr. Lowe), so that is goodness. Some changes for this year - riding bus after school to Jack's school to get picked up there, no backpacks allowed, no lockers or cubbies, they keep a set of textbooks at home and turn them in at the end of the school year, AND...(drumroll)...ala carte lunch! Yes, a daily supply of nachos, chicken nuggets, fries, etc in the cafe.

Last night was Jack's Kindergarten Open House at WCE. He met his teacher, Mrs. Thone, and got to see his classroom. He seemed to be more interested in the cookies and punch in the cafeteria. VERY excited about eating lunch on a tray with compartments.

Fun fun...D

Top 10 Finish

Hot day. Good thing we were there setting up her transition area at 6:15 am. But who cares how hot it is and how early it is when it comes to watching your kids do something amazing. Gracie had a top 10 ten finish, ending up 9th in her age group. She swam a 1.51.00 on her 100 yard swim, biked 4 miles in 20.59 minutes, and ran a mile in 9.35 minutes. Her run was the 6th best in her age group.

Like the kitty cat face paint? Jack opted for the free food booths, scoring two bags of cotton candy, 1 hot dog, 1 bag of chips, 1 bag of popcorn, and 2 snow cones. He was in heaven.

Hit the clip below to see Gracie's big sprint finish. Craig O'Neill, the local radio station personality, is offering his assessment of the finish, and the writing on her back!

Sad Day

Today was our last day with the beautiful and wonderful Ashley! She heads back to Arkansas Tech in Russellville tomorrow to get moved in and start training camp for volleyball season. It is always a blessing to find a babysitter who loves and enjoys your kids almost as much as you do as a parent! We will all miss her, but look foward to next summer! Boom Boom Pow

Tomorrow is Daddy Day...Pete is taking them horse back riding...I have to work.

Saturday morning is Gracie's third Conway Kids' Triathlon. She has to race up as an 11 year old this year, so her course is doubled - 100 yd swim, 2 mile bike, and 1 mile run. Please pray for cooler weather, as I am somewhat concerned about her overheating. If it is too hot, we will probably pull her out. Gotta love the Arkansas August...

Jack had kindergarten camp two mornings this week. He blew through everything they asked him on the screening, and charmed all 4 of the teachers. We will find out tomorrow whose class he is in. Gracie is hoping he gets Ms. Berkemeyer just like she did!

Here is a sure fire way to take care of your constipation...Fiber One bars, made by General Mills. One bar contains 35% of daily value of fiber. Talk about clearing you out. Pete is also a believer. In your grocery store near the granola bars and pop tarts. Wow. Denise

No longer 13th in the state...

(this is what Jack thinks of swim meets)

...she is 8th! Gracie Karl has posted quite a day at the 2009 Long Course AR State Swim Meet for the 10U 50 yard breast stroke. She went into the prelim this morning with a seed time of 52.03 seconds. She swam in the final heat in her lucky lane 2, came in 4th, but swiped 4 seconds off her best time to post a 48.44!!!! That was enough to make the finals for the top 8. She swam the final, four and a half hours later, came in 8th, and posted a 49.36. We are so proud of her and she is very proud of herself!

Check out the video below of her prelim, she is in Lane 2, second from the bottom of the screen, orange cap. The footage of her is small, Pete was up on the balcony, but you can see her get on the start block and clap her hands to get herself pumped up. At the end, you can see the score board with her time for lane 2.

WHAT A DAY! Proud momma...D

Jack Graduates from Safety Town

Ms. Vanessa and Ms. Tracy, leaders of the Woodrow Cummins Green Frogs room!

Every summer, the Junior Auxiliary of Conway, in conjuntion with Conway Regional Hospital, puts on a week of Safety Town for upcoming kindergarteners to learn about safety - police, fire, bike, school bus, 911 usage, stranger danger, etc. They assign them to classrooms based on where they will attend school so they can meet some kids that they will see when school starts. Super program, Gracie did it as well. The week ended yesterday with a final program.

This coming week is Kindergarten Roundup - a daily activity at WCE for a couple of hours. The excitement is building!

And yes, if any of you read my Facebook page, I DID spend $130.00 on school supplies for two kids. Either prices are going up, or teachers are getting more picky on what they want their students to have. Plus, times are tough, the kids are being asked to bring paper towels, kleenex, Clorox wipes, baby wipes, and hand sanitizer. Now on to meal tickets, yearbooks, and school Tshirts.

Aunt Krista and Krew - thanks for the bday card and $$ for Jack - he was THRILLED and enjoyed waving his prize in front of his sister's face! You're the best!

GRAY - excitement building here, also. She swims her event tomorrow. Warmups are at 6:30 am. About the 12th event in, 6th and final heat. SO PROUD!

To my Pete - Happy Anniversary!