Science Hat

Paul's Science Hat word this year is "heat."  He has flames on his hat, 

 and the sun and a volcano.  How do you demonstrate heat on a hat?

Disney WORLD!

Over the "Fall Break," during which the boys get a Friday and Monday free from school, we went to Disney World.  Coker kept calling it Disneyland, and Paul kept correcting him.  Coker would respond, "Same thing."

We got there Thursday night and got to bed in the hotel.  In the middle of the night, I heard those much-dreaded words, "I threw up."  Paul spent his first night in Florida sleeping on the floor of the bathroom. He didn't want to be there alone, so guess who slept on the hard, cold floor with him?  He felt better on Friday, but not well enough to go to Disney as planned.

TJ and I went to Disneyworld just the two of us and it poured rain for the first 45 minutes.  At least we got right on every ride we wanted to ride once the rain stopped.

Teacups

Goofy

Paul made it out for day two

Pirates of the Caribbean

Aladdin's Magic Carpet

Paul is nervous to ride Big Thunder Mountain

TJ rides with me

At the castle, which is Disneyworld, according to TJ

One of TJ's favorite rides was the ferry to the park

Teacups again

Race cars

Buzz Lightyear

 Pink castle

Epcot was Coker's idea of heaven during Food and Wine Festival

Four of us

 Amina and boys

I had to explain to the boys who Aurora is, but TJ was willing to take a picture with her

A traditional bow?

Japanese snow cones were the first food the boys appreciated

My Mayan Viking

Cute

A picture with Mickey is a must

and Goofy

and Minnie

Driving home from the airport, TJ's head began to hurt so badly he kept repeating, "rawr."  He said it made him feel a little better.  Once home he immediately became sick, so it was TJ's turn to sleep on the bathroom floor.  At least he got a nap mat.

Proud Porter Panther TJ

I am so proud of TJ.  He was chosen for the Proud Porter Panther Award the first six weeks he attended Porter Elementary.  His teacher, Mrs. Clifford said choosing him for the responsibility award was a "no brainer."  He always does what he's supposed to do.  She gave an example of TJ as the caboose for the line, standing quietly and refusing to "be corrupted" by the little boy acting crazy in front of him.  

The award certificate

 Mrs. Loper, the school counselor, reads Mrs. Clifford's recommendation and presents the award.

Just Keep Swimming

We finally swam for the first time last night!  It was a little cold, but TJ, Paul and I got in and splashed around.  Coker was out of town, but Amina was there to witness.  Paul thought I was crazy when I came home at 8:00pm and suggested we go for a swim.  Once he saw my swimsuit, he hurried to get into his.

We hopped in again after school today and then after soccer practice tonight.

Second Grade Program 2012

Amina and Papaw attended and Papaw got some pictures for us...

Paul's Birthday

This year September 15 fell on a Saturday, so Paul's party was on his birthday.  We had a laser tag party.  The second game was kids vs. adults.  After the adults won, I felt a little bad that I hadn't just jumped out and let the kids shoot me.  Just a little.  Paul chose a Batman cake.  I can hear his correction, "It's Dark Knight Rises, Mom!"  Thanks for taking the pictures, Papaw!

 After the party, we went to the bicycle shop next door where Coker and I had purchased a new bicycle for the birthday boy.  He complained that Coker was taking him shopping on his birthday until he realized he was going in to pick up his new bike.

 Even though he claimed that orange is his least favorite color, he loves the new bike!

Soccer Weekend

I call it "soccer weekend" because we had 4 soccer games: 1 for each boy on both Saturday and Sunday.  It was also a birthday party weekend: there were 4 of those.  Coker and I went to a "Happy 40th party" on Friday.  TJ's soccer teammate had a 5th party Saturday afternoon, a neighbor had a 10th party Saturday night, and another neighbor had an 8th party on Sunday afternoon.  Whew!  

I managed to get some soccer pictures today.  My batteries ran out at the first games and I couldn't find my camera for yesterday's games (it was in my car)!  But today I triumphed, as did both the 6U Stingrays and the 8U Xtreme.

TJ smiles and talks all through his games.  Here he is doing both.

Paul is a much more serious player.  Here he's playing right forward (offense).  His favorite position is goalie, and the coach from the opposing team Saturday told our coach he's really good.  He prevented several goals on Saturday.  He usually plays fullback (defense), but coach likes to mix things up and give his players a chance to play multiple positions.  He didn't score, but got close a couple times.

 Just running.  Doesn't he look good?