stickyfeathers

first grade.

his first day of first grade.  he had a blast.  he was up early and excited to go.  we left the house earlier than i had planned to even.  that was a good thing though.  got a decent place in front of the school to park - haha!  levi and i walked to class with tucker.  we were able to chat with his teacher quick.  i was able to go into the classroom and snap a picture of tucker in his DESK.  he is SO excited about having his own desk this year.  pretty sure i sat in the same desk years ago.  :)  his desk was by the window and also by the interesting things along the side of the room.  i think it's the perfect spot. 

levi wanted to hang out with brother in the hall.  however, we gave tucker kisses and hugs goodbye and we were off.  this evening, tucker said he 'almost cried' as he seen me and levi walking away down the hall.  but then he said he just started to have fun instead.  that's my boy. 

it's hard to believe how much he has changed in just a year.  his looks, his strengths, his fears ... always changing.

bonus tidbits about the day that i learned this evening: 

the class has a pet fish.  it's name is thor.  some girls wanted to name it fairy.  tucker wanted to name it skully or larry.  logan sits in front of him.  natalie sits behind him.  he really likes his teacher.  they learned just one new song in music.  there is one new kid in his class (braylen) ... who also happens to be a neighbor.  he knew him, but it was his first year in their class.  he didn't eat his apple for a snack (because he said it was his pet?).  we'll try crackers tomorrow.  he did eat decent for lunch (which he brought from home today).  tomorrow is shrimp poppers and he LOVES them.  said he could eat sixty of them. 

i am really looking forward to first grade.  the kid makes me nothing but proud.  :)

the end of his first summer vacation.

today was the last day of summer vacation for tucker.  he had a busy summer.  we didn't take any big trips, but we did keep busy.  i was horrible at keeping up with the blog (still) but here's a few things i can remember.

he had swimming lessons and t-ball.  he spent a week with two of his cousins at nana and papa's house.  we went camping (once - super huge bummer, but next year we will go more).  he went to the races with papa and natalie.  he did a few road trips with them too.  he had his cousin spend the night a couple times.  he spent the night at papa and gram's big ol' house too.  he rode his bike.  he had a rummage sale with gram.  he earned himself quite the little farmers tan.  he helped his dad prepare for deer hunting (already).  he had a few playdates.  he finally started playing with the neighbor kids.  he went fishing (and got skunked).  he swam, drew with chalk, got dirty in the sandbox, and went to the park.  he helped his dad trim up the yard.  he stayed up late.  he got up early.  he had many giggles with his brother.  he went to the library (and got books about the human body and the weather).  he rode in a dozer, dump truck and skidsteer.  he went to daycare and even had days that auntie natalie got to watch him. 

he had a good summer and i know he's sad to see it end. 

tonight he said he didn't like fall because that's when school starts.  it's funny how one summer vacation can turn you into a 'normal' kid ... already mourning the long summer days of being free to do as you wish. 

you think it would be easy.

every summer since levi was born, i get a shot of both boys in our backyard.  i've been doing it in front of the garden each year as it's kind of a cute backdrop.  well, now that levi is crazy runs around non-stop, i haven't really had much time to look at take care of my garden.  even if i did, the 90* temps and full sun have basically fried everything.  so, it looks pretty narly.  i can't wait until snow covers it up.  no joke.

back to the picture.  you think it would be easy, right?  just ONE shot of the boys in ONE location.  they don't have to get dressed up, just sit there and look in my general direction.  hah.  well, here's the results from our little backyard session last night.  i BEGGED them to even get these.

levi looks cute enough, but tucker is giving me not one, but TWO stink eyes.

tucker looks great ... but now levi is zoned out on the burnt grass.  damn.

after snapping back into reality, levi must think his ASSets need to also get into the picture.  tucker is amused.

tried the ol' 'give your brother a hug' trick.  not exactly what i was looking for. 

this shot is fitting ... it is what they look like normally. 

levi is back to zoning out.  tucker is ... um ... well, i have no idea what he is doing.  being a boy.  making animal noises.

i think i'll frame this one.  it shows tucker starting to get mad (probably at me for taking pictures) while levi watches him and soaks up EVERY. SINGLE. MINUTE. so that he can learn how to freak out properly.  ah, the perfect shot.

there's always next year to get them both smiling and looking at me, right?  :)