Big Brother

TJ made a friend at Paul's soccer game. They played together in and around the stands. At one point, TJ's friend showed me his muscles so I oohed and aahed properly. TJ was not impressed. He challenged, "my brother is stronger."

Proud of Paul

Well, I'm always proud of Paul. Tonight his teacher called. She may have been calling all of her students' parents, but she said some really nice things about Paul. He is "a teacher's dream." He raises his hand and participates in class.

When I picked him up today, he had a prize from the prize box. He said he was the first to be quiet when Mrs. Fielder asked and she was so pleased with him that he got to choose a prize.

I told him I'm proud of him for being such a good student. He seemed pretty proud of himself. Before he went to sleep, he smiled and said, "I'm a good student." He is. Love that boy.

Additionally, Mrs. Fielder has found the way to my heart. If you like my child, I can't help but like you.

Feed to my God

TJ has the "feed to my God" song in his head. Which one is that? I asked the same question. "You know, 'Feed to my God, forever and ever. Feed to my God forever and ever. Amen,'" he sang. I love it!

Can you guess the song?

LOST

Paul is not a shopper. He whines, he bargains, he grouches. He hasn't tried Coker's usual response: sighing. Paul has not given up the fight against the (evil in his estimation, glorious in mine) necessity of shopping.

On Paul's first day of first grade, I realized he has outgrown many of his "nice" summer shirts. He likes to be comfortable and would be happy to wear sleeveless shirts and elastic-waisted shorts everyday. Who wouldn't? Well, I would if I could look good wearing that stuff. There's the difference between us.

I picked out a polo-style shirt and shorts for his first day. He groaned. He picked out an old t-shirt and shorts for the second day. I groaned. We needed more options. Da-da-da-da! Shopping! Paul groaned. Then he whined, bargained and grouched.

Paul did a great job shopping, even though I really dragged him around. Most stores are out of short-sleeved options. To get him to the mall, I promised a cookie. After the shopping was successfully completed and the cookies were eaten, I wanted to stop in one store for me. I gave Paul my iphone and began looking.

As I moved to the next rack, I nudged Paul and directed the game-playing zombie to follow me. Once I finished there, I looked for Paul to nudge him again, but he was nowhere to be found. I searched the small store twice, calling his name, looking under tables and in the dressing area. No Paul. Where was he? No one could easily "take" him. He's so heavy and stubborn. Could someone take him?

I ran out to the mall, searching. No Paul ahead. No Paul to the left. No...about four stores down, in the middle of the mall stood a little boy playing on an iphone. My iphone. MY LITTLE BOY.

"What are you doing out here?"

"Playing on your iphone."

"Why aren't you in the store?"

"What store?"

"That one. Where I was. Where you were supposed to stay. Why did you leave?"

"You said 'let's go.'"

"But why didn't you stick with me? Why are you out here? What did you think you were doing all by yourself?

"I thought I was lost."

He wasn't worried. He was just playing games on my iphone waiting for me to find him. He did look very small standing out there by himself, but unconcerned. I hope I can deserve the faith he has in me.

Soccer Saturday

We had two soccer games today. TJ's was at 10:00 and Paul's was at 12:30. It was hot enough at 10:00, but I started to wonder if it's possible to get heatstroke standing the shade when it's 105 outside. Happily, Paul's game was called at half-time. Two boys were already being treated for heat exhaustion. Our coaches talked to the ref, who agreed it was time to seek air-conditioning. All the kids were fine.

Here are a few pictures all out of order...

This is after TJ's game.

An action shot of Paul (he's number 17 with dark hair)

After Paul's game
Before TJ's game

Action shot of TJ

I was much luckier with my photography at TJ's game. They both played great!

TJ's First Soccer Practice

TJ asked me, "Mom, did I do good at soccer?"

"Yes, you did. I think you're going to be a great soccer player."

Sighing, "Yeah, I know."

First Day of First Grade

Here's Paul, reluctantly posing for me.

Here he is outside the school door closest to his classroom.

Off he goes to class. The boy in front of him is Daniel, a friend for years who now is in his class and sits at his table.