Hygeine logic

The setting: The boys have been told several times to go brush their teeth and get ready for bed. Logan has brushed his, but Gavin has yet to do so. Logan is having issues with tattling.

LOGAN: Dad! Gavin hasn't even brushed his teeth!!!

JAY: Logan, don't tell on your brother. Gavin, why haven't you brushed your teeth? GO BRUSH YOUR TEETH!!!!

GAVIN: But don't worry, Dad. It's ok. They are still here. See. Look, Daddy. (points to teeth) They're still here!

Karate Kid

After months of watching and imitating the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles movies from the 80's, Logan has joined Dragon System Tae Kwon Do! He's been enrolled for about a month and these pictures were taken before his little uniform came in, which is why he's wearing sweatpants. While we were waiting for one to be ordered in his size (extra, extra, extra small -- he's the littlest kid in a class full of children and adults of all ages), Logan attended several classes and watched the kids with higher belts practice with their "weapons". This is what he had to say about it:

LOGAN: How high of a belt do I have to be to get a weapon, mom? Those are cool!

ME: Well, I guess you have to be a green belt, 'cause that's what color those kids have. (I really know nothing about Tae Kwon Do, so I have to google everything on my blackberry to answer any questions he might have....and he averages about 75 karate-related questions a night).

LOGAN: Probably then, when my Gie comes in Master Murphy will say, "Logan, just tell your mom that you're a yellow belt now because you've been doing such a good job". And then I'll just be a yellow belt and I'll almost be a green belt so I can use weapons.

ME: Oh, really? You think so?

LOGAN: Yeah, and then when I'm big, like when I'm seven or something, I'll just be a black belt and I can be the teacher.

Spreading their wings to fly...whether I'm ready or not!

We've been to four orientations (three of which were for Logan), I've teared up several times, and I've played out this day in my head on numerous occasions. In the end, nothing really went as planned and all I could do was pray. We woke up a little too late, rushed to take a few pictures, and sped off to school. Despite my preparations the night before, I still arrived at Logan's school with only five minutes to spare and at exactly the same time as the other 700 parents. Logan did allow me to take a few pictures of him, which was part of the scenario I had planned out in my head. He also shocked me by letting me kiss him on the cheek in front of another student! It was over as quickly as it started. No tears...by either participant. No dramatic exits. No "Boo-Hoo Breakfast" in the guidance office (if I need therapy, I'll call on one of my umpteen psychologists/friends). Just a normal day at school where a big kid is off and on his own. Jay's experience taking Gavin to school ran just as smoothly, but then again his Pre-K4 class is in the same classroom, with many of the same kids. Just a different teacher. My boys spread their wings today and flew with the utmost success!

Gavin

Betton Hills Preparatory School

Pre-K4, Ms. Sara

Logan

Gilchrist Elementary School

Kindergarten, Mrs. Zeterour
(Yes, he really can say Mrs. Zeterour!)

Gilchrist Grizzlies

August 24, 2009

So, what did they have to say about their first day?

GAVIN: I like my teacher and I didn't go to time-out.

LOGAN: I like the playground even though it's like SOOOO small. As small as a mouse. And I don't like school lunch. That was gross. Can you not make me eat that anymore? And my least favorite thing was when they made us take a rest. Why do we have to do that when we're so big now?

Finally Four!

He's been waiting and waiting for what seems like forever (especially through the eyes of a child), but FINALLY my sweet boy is four! As many of you know, birthday's in the Coddington family last at least all weekend and usually all month. So, we began the festivities on Friday morning with a trip to Chuck E. Cheese and lunch at T.G.I.Friday's with Daddy. Friday night Gavin got to sleep in our room (a very special treat) and woke up with a big smile at 6:30AM! After Logan's morning Taekwondo class, we went to Fun Station for some games and putt-putt golf. Chick-fil-a for lunch, of course, and then a little rest before the evening pizza and macaroni and cheese party with the family. But it's not over yet! In two weeks, we head to Orlando to stay at the Nickelodeon hotel and Universal Studios/Islands of Adventure! We're so glad you're four, Gray!

mohawk to blue spike

Logan and I paid a much-needed visit to our hairdresser last night. Although not a popular decision, I insisted on having the mohawk blended out into a "normal kid" hair cut. Maybe we will revisit the mohawk for Halloween, but I did not want Logan to be typecast in any way on his first day of Kindergarten. You know, you never get a second chance to make a first impression, etcetera, etcetera. As a compromise, and so I did not totally fail in the "cool mom" department, I allowed him to get blue spike gel which he then got to wear to Taekwondo.

Before:

Side view before:


Ready for Kindergarten:

13 hours

This is what a 13-hour car ride did to my children. Boy are we glad to be home!

at his own pace

After a good 7 months of this...

...and a good 4 months of this...


Our baby boy...


...finally decided to WALK today!

Logan up to bat!

My only recent attempt at scrapbooking

This is the only real scrapbooking I've done since Keegan's birth 14 months ago. I miss it so much, but we're having too much fun living life around here! Plenty of time to catch up when we have an empty nest, I suppose. These are a few digital pages I made recently. Something about digital scrapbooking is so appealing. Maybe it's just the fact that I don't have to haul out my 3 pieces of scrapbook luggage only to have to put it all back again before the kids wake up the next morning.

low, low, low

I know it's a long video, but it's worth watching till the end. It just illustrates their individual personalities so well. By the way, this is one of their favorite songs and an integral part of their (near)nightly post-dinner dance ritual.

fun with spoons

I'm not sure who is more amused...

Fourth of July 2009