More Trouble than He’s Worth?

   

He moves the patio chairs where ever he wants.  He lounges on the table like he owns the place.  He takes off the wood stack and literally splits the firewood with those teeth and jaws.  He leaves his play wood where ever he wants. 

All over our formerly nice backyard.

I’m telling you, the wood scraps are everywhere!  He’s somehow scooted out all his straw.  And see his paths he’s run all winter, down to the bare dirt?  That’s his favorite corner.  Even the top fence boards are worn from when he does his ballerina dance along the fence while playing guard dog.          And do not be fooled, there is nothing about Scooter associated with peace. 

Which makes me question:  Is he worth the hassle?

I’d say no, but others seem to disagree.

Especially this girl.  This was taken last summer and yep, I think she’d actually be the most upset if Beast were to leave.

Or be banished. 

 

These below were snapped this week.   I guess for what he eats in dog food, he’s at least worth in entertainment value? 

Top O’ the Mornin’

Shades of green.

    

 

   

Tooth fairy left Grant some green. 

Not green but couldn’t resist sharing the glaze from someone’s yesterday donut that I found this morning on my way back in.  It felt much more ick than the picture can even capture. 

Just a small snapshot into everyday life around here.    

The Show Must Go On

Thursday, during PE basketball, Jack got a boo-boo, a kinda bad boo-boo.  Friday, his pinkie was still swollen and turning more colors.  By Saturday morning, I decided it needed to be looked at since neither the swelling or pain were improving. 

We got in to get an x-ray around 11:00 a.m. and he was to be at his band contest in a neighboring town by 12:30. 

Turned out he had a fracture, they taped it up, and he made it to the contest, receiving top rankings for both his Jazz Band performance and his ensemble.

 

Before leaving home, he figured out how it was going to work for him to support his trumpet since that is his left pinkie’s job.  Gary and Grant went also, and thank you, Gary, for the camera work for those of us who couldn’t be there. 

  The picture was taken from a distance, but this is of the two girls who apparently are quite interested in our son’s hair and couldn’t stop touching it. 

The girls are older.  They are 7th graders.

Oh boy!  I know, it’s just starting.

It’s much easier to see him hanging with his pal Matthew, as you might recall from Jack’s  tennis days.

Watch these if you have a couple of minutes.  That’s Jack in the white shirt nearest the door with the exit sign.  

From someone who is not musical at all but loves music, I am so proud we have at least one kid so far who is musical.

Thank you, Gill genes!

One of the guys in the trio was a little off, but you know it wasn’t ours.

Modern Day Playdate

Sam and Sauce playing today.  One navigates while the other drives. 

Dinettes! It’s Just Like a Mini (pause) Mall

 

Let’s see… a weekend is about 56 hours long, starting Friday evening, so yeah, I’d say I’ve heard this about 5600 times now. 

And, ugh, I admit,  I am the one that introduced the catchy little ditty to the kids.  I thought they’d listen once, get a kick out of it, and move on, but no, they’ve become obsessed with it, all four of them! 

You have to stop it at the :43 frame.  That’s Jack’s favorite moment ever on Earth. 

I’m telling you, warning you:  you will be singing this an hour after you watch this, so beware. 

Happy Chinese New Year!

 

Last week (oops, two weeks ago now, since I left this sitting in the Drafts file instead of publishing), Sam learned all about Chinese New Year at preschool. 

I was the helper one day.  Interestingly, he was the only kid that insisted his paper be oriented “landscape.”   Not that he said those words, but he insisted it go this way...

You know, my very favorite words to hear are:

“I’m ok with that,” coming from his teacher.  It is such a relief to know she is flexible and totally accepting of Sam and all his quirks.  But, yikes, what will it be like next year in kindergarten?  Mrs. Mills just needs to follow us.

So, anywho, last week Sam was to wear yellow, red, and black.  By Thursday, he demanded to know,  “Mom, why do you always make me wear red?!”

Thursday, he picked his own ensemble.  I’m thinking it’s a little, I don’t know,

cat burglar? After school, I wanted him to show just what he did during the celebration and parade.  This was about all he could muster. 

 

P.S.  This was taken last month during the gymnastics portion of preschool. 

I just really liked this picture!

And, dang, the kid’s right, there’s the red.

What every home needs

  

 

A sunny spot in the house and a mirror-covered Christmas ornament. 

Donuts at the DISCO!

Dashing, Don’t You Think?

 

His new accessory, picked out by ME.

Jackson and the Science Fair

 

Jack had his science fair this week.  His project compared the heat retention of different colors of paper.  It was pretty thorough for a 6th grader, I thought.

This was nice!

I wanted him to pose with his board, but he’s 11, if you get my drift.  I was determined to sneakily get his picture if he wasn’t going to cooperate, dadnabit. 

Fail.      Again and again.

Well, the tiger was holding still and cooperating, so I just went with that shot.  But then he growled at me, too.

Here Jack is (not) holding his blue ribbon.  

You would think he would be proud of his work and accomplishments.  But again, he’s 11… going on 18?