Jacob

As of now in our family Jacob is the great neutralizer. I don't think he realizes how much his brother and sister count on him. The energy of his being is significantly absent even with only being gone one day at school.
 As I dropped Jack off at school today he asked if I was going to wait with him. I told him no parents aren't allowed in the gate anymore. He then said "What am I going to do then?" I reassured him to look for Jacob and there were lots of kids to play with. He looked so small as he walked ever so slowly to the gate, lingered on the outside looking in before walking threw it.
Just the presences of Jacob makes Jack braver. Even Amelia will stay somewhere without Dada or I if she knows Jacob is with her. We are so lucky to have such a terrific boy in our family. One that brings reassurance, comfort and confidence with just his presence.

Jacob's first day of 1st grade

Jacob went to first grade today. I think first grade is way more important then kindergarten, mostly because a first grader is at school ALL day. My little Jacob was the first to get on his bus at 8:07 and last to be dropped off (today at 4:40, an hour after school ended!).
The highlights of his day were he got to go to the library, was excused from lunch as soon as he was done eating (I guess at Livingston he had to wait) and the class talked about scientists. He said his teacher had the

class close their eyes and picture a scientist. The scientist he imagined wore a lab coat and created robots that shot lasers. I told him there were actual scientist that use robots with lasers. His eyes about popped out of his head, saying "Really?!"
I think Jacob's first day of school went real well. I pray he accedes at his classwork, makes good friends and enjoys his teacher and school.

Jack's first day of Kindergarten

Jack went to kindergarten today. He said he was not scared, nervous or anxious. Later he told me the reason he wasn't scared was because Jacob was at school with him. As I watched him march into school there were no tears in my eyes since he had so much courage and confidence.
Picking him up, a subdued Jack came marching out of the school yard. He looked tired and overwhelmed from the day. I asked him how it went. He said good and then tossed me his backpack to carry. From my experience with Jacob requesting I stop asking questions, I didn't bombard Jack with a lot. He said he liked it and I left it at that as we walked to the car.
A couple blocks in the car later when I asked if he made a friend he said he did but then the two boys said he couldn't be his friend, he could not on their team and he was a trouble-maker. Of course my "mom red flags" went up; my baby was being unfriended! I tried to remain calm. Trying to remain up beat I asked about his teacher. Jack told me with a soft voice in an offhanded sort of way, "She didn't seem to notice me." Geez if that didn't bring stinging tears to my eyes.
So I am not sure if it was a success. Jack recounted a lot of the day: sitting at the carpet, sitting on a rug, eating snack, and playing outside. He said he didn't do much work. I am praying he makes a good friend/friends, that his teacher will notice him and he has a fabulous time at school. First impressions are not always right.

Potlatch

Jacob loved looking for crabs. He had over 20 before he was finished.

Amelia loved the beach.

Potlatch tree still there, still being used by kids as one of the best play toys ever.

Jacob

This summer Jacob is big enough to drive Uppa's lawn mower. He thought he was quite the hot shot driving it around. He would putt down to the pond, around the trails and down the drive way. He even hooked up the trailer to take the kids for a ride. He gave Dada and I a ride, scary. Looking at the back of his head as we bumped along the trail gave me a flash forward to when he will be driving around with maybe me in the backseat.

Home Alone

The other night I had plans to go to a painting class. The class started at 6 so Dan and I made a plan for me to leave at 5:45. Dan said he would drive out to work so he would be home in time. Well the at about 5:50 that night I decided to leave, knowing Dan would be home any moment. I turned on a cartoon, laid out dinner and said good-bye. I looked for his car on the way to the freeway but didn't see it, I thought I must have missed it.
Well when I got home that night Dan informed me he didn't actually get home until 6:30 pm! There was a wildfire along the highway so he had to take a detour through Richland. On top of that the power was out so all the traffic lights were flashing. He said at 5:45 he thought to himself, "And now she left!" He was freaking out pretty bad, knowing the kids were all alone.
The kids on the other hand were fine. After the cartoon got over they went back to playing the game they were playing earlier that day: making a fort in the hall closet. Jacob got them all trail mix and water as a snack. When Dan did get home they all acted like it was no big deal. Of course they were hungry for dinner but it was business as usual to them.

Amelia

We are watching the first Harry Potter movie. Of course the kids are loving it and have lots of questions. Amelia keeps asking about Harry Potamus.