Happy Birthday Danny

 Ok with summer on the horizon, I decided I might have a minute to update the blog again.

Danny turned 8  if you can believe it! We continued the family tradition of filling the hallway with ballooons!

It was an epic day for sure!

2022?? Where did you come from?

 It is the 7th of January and the rain is falling softly outside my kitchen window.

As a Californian I don't know if I have ever been so happy to hear the near constant sound of rain these last few weeks. The last few years have been so dry that these atmospheric rivers of rain that have washed over the area have been a very welcome sight. Granted I do not miss the cold but the beautiful sweet water that drips from the sky has been very welcome. 

Our Fall was a bit rocky and busy. Kiddo has kept up with Tae Kwon Do. School was rough for him this fall and so we are hoping for a smoother second part of the year. 

Happy New Year !!

BTW, have any of you read The Lost Book of Names? It was such a delicious book and then the last page annoyed me. Anybody else have this problem where you read an amazing book and then the last page throws in a saccharine twist? Ugh.

I am also reading Island of the Sea of Women, which is also excellent so far, but very sad. 

Next on my reading pile is Fuzz by Mary Roach and re-reading Ocean at the End of the Lane for the first ever Sci Fi Fantasy book club to be hosted by Rubys books. I might be just a little excited for the latter as it combines some of my favorites, book club, Neil Gaiman, and Ruby's Books, my favorite local book store. (You had me at books and a dog. Need I say more?)

First day of school full report

 Today Danny began an exciting new adventure, second grade!! With a backpack full of school supplies, lunch box, and mask, we set off for the first day!

When I picked him up this afternoon, he was so excited and had a wonderful first day:

His day involved:

Welcome and greetings from the school principal

The the kids in his class introduced themselves followed by reciting the pledge of allegiance.

His teacher read the First day, hooray!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GVmDbJ2HquU

Then to prepare for recess, the kids watched a recess video that went over the rules of the playground

Ms. Winters showed the kids how to use the playground equipment safely

"Ladders are up only and stairs are up only

Climbing structures are up only

Slides are the way down"

Recess he discovered the game of tetherball and enjoyed playing with a new friend

Then it was lunch time and he ate most of his lunch.

Then they returned to the classroom and did a drill for the lining up in order.

Then the kids had another recess

He had a great time and he and his friend strayed a little too far on the grass area playing tag and managed to get lost! Fortunately they found another aide and who was able to guide them back to class. 

Danny was thoroughly impressed when his teacher announced the question:

"The next big question I always get is, when do we go home?"

She then put the demonstration clock, set the time when they would be dismissed so the kids would know when it would be time to go home.

That afternoon the kids had a writing assignment, "what did you do to get ready for school?"

Danny answered: "I ate breakfast, I grabbed my pencil holder, put everything in my backpack, and walked out the door"

 

Then it was time to line up to go home!

Many more adventures to follow, but I wanted to capture this day as it is the first day of what feels like something normal. 

What?? Two posts in one day?

 Yup, here is the second post for today.

Tomorrow is the first day of school for Danny, so there are lots of nerves but also some palpable excitement for what things might be discovered. We met his teacher yesterday and that was also really exciting. Our school has a tradition of holding a rally to meet and greet teachers, see old friends, and get to know the school community a little bit.

I found a really cool reading list that will keep us busy the next few weeks, and so since some of you have wondered, what are you reading with him, here is our book list.

https://www.weareteachers.com/second-grade-books/

So the clothes are laid out, the school supplies are packed, and I will be spending the rest of the afternoon cooking and doing lunch prep for the rest of the week. 

Will post the annual first day of school photo tomorrow.

TTFN

Update

 Hello All!

James and Danny had wonderful time white water rafting, tubing, exploring Howe Caverns, the Great Escape Theme Park (which I did get to join them!) 

Here are the highlights:

Finally!! We have landed in Albany

Reunited at long last, Danny and his Grammy play with legos

ULTIMATE Squirt gun water fight

With Uncle Drew

Our LOBSTER feast!!

Spite and Malice the epic battle continues

Hanging with my Grammy

Great Escape

On the Carousel at the Great Escape

Mom!! Check out this little house

The home of Little Red Riding Hood

This moment had to be captured, I had always thought this ride was called the Screamin Demon, turns out it is called the Steamin Demon!! Who knew!?!

Excited to go on the ride

Mama this is fun

In the mouth of Moby

This cat is amazing

Family Carousel ride

Hugs all around

 Do not worry for anyone who may have gotten used to nearly daily updates, we are alive and well. 

We arrived in Schenectady safe and sound.

We picked up our rental car for the evening and arrived at the folks at around 10:30 pm. Not only did I get to give my dad a hug, but my momma was awake and I got to give her a great big hug too!!

On Tuesday, we all slept in late, and surprisingly my parents were awake before me.

I had the pleasure of meeting one of the CareTakers who helps my dad, and we ran some errands. Danny reacquainted himself with some old toys and we settled into the routine of the house.

The Olympics have provided some entertainment. 

Wednesday James and Danny went to see Space Jam at Bow Tie Cinema and Danny really liked it.

It has been wonderful to be home and be with my family again. 

James and Danny will be going to Sacandaga Lake tomorrow for white water rafting, and I will be helping my parents :) 

TTFN!

I’m goin HOME

 We are on the freeway in Sac as I type this but we are on our way to the airport (again).  

We are flying to Albany today and tomorrow morning I will be able to give my mama a hug !!!

Will keep you all posted 🥰