Welcome to First Grade

In August, Drew started First Grade!  He was excited to get back into the school routine after a summer at the YMCA (his after school program).  While he likes the break, he is always ready to get back into the routine after about 2 weeks.

Here's our official 1st grader!

We walked to school with our neighbor Christopher who was also starting 1st Grade.

 

This year we did the main sign out front (last year it was under construction).  As I normally do, I'll take a picture of him in front of this sign on the last day of school, so we can see how much he's grown. (FYI - it was 1" from August to October).

Drew getting lined up for his class! 

This is the face of a child ready to tackle school!

Since I'm a bit behind in blogs, I'll update you on how things are going so far in first grade.  During his parent teacher conference we continue to discuss how to keep Drew challenged and how to think outside his comfort zone.  He's above grade level in math and reading, but he struggles with some of the simple things like not freaking out over making a little mistake (can you say perfectionist?) And he goes over and above to do whatever he can to avoid doing too much work - he will over-think things he wants to say and write to come up with the shortest way to say it.  Heaven forbid you write an extra 3 words....

In November he finished his first trimester and he received a perfect report card!  The comments from his teacher:

It has been a pleasure getting to know Drew over the last couple of months.  Drew has made a smooth transition to First Grade and has made many friends.  He participates in classroom activities and enjoys sharing.  Drew generates neat and careful work, however he sometimes has a hard time completing his work in a timely manner.  Next trimester we will continue to practice reading with fluency and expression as well as using our retell strategies.  At home, continue to practice reading with fluency and expression.  In math, we will focus on patterns as well as addition and subtraction facts.  I look forward to a great year with Drew!

"I'm a Man, I'm 40!"

My goal is to finish blogging our year by the end of this one... so I better get busy!

So as I mentioned Dave turned the big four-oh this past August.  And while we celebrated in a low key fashion on the actual birthday, he had the bash he wanted a week later.  Thanks to our friends Brian and Stephanie for lending us their house and beautifully redesigned pool for the day.

We catered food from a local Mexican Restaurant

The kids were in the pool all day long!

Dave's Softball friend to the left, and longtime friend Nicole on the right

Heather & Stephanie

Travis & Jonelle

 So many of Dave's friends came throughout the day.  A couple of funny guys decided to add upon the "I'm a Man, I'm 40" theme Dave had going by decorating a pair of speedos.

Funny Men....

Auntie Rana, Uncle Matt and Cousin Avery

Dave & Nicole

 Even Dave's parents made it up from LA for the party.

And the kids are still swimming!  Who knows what Drew is doing in that picture...

And then Dave does the walk of shame... in Speedos!  He had to put on quite the show at first.

And then he took a plunge.

Drew kept coming up to us asking why Dad was in a bikini...

And then time for cake!  I have to admit our local Safeway Grocery Store did a great job with freehanding it!

After many hours the kids decided to get out of the pool and they roasted marshmallows.  It's the usual suspects for the kids..

L-R: Mason, Troy, Drew, Zionna, Charlize

Dave said he had the party he wanted.  We were glad his parents could make the quick weekend trip to spend time with him.  Drew was even reading some poetry to Abuela!

Abuela, Drew, Tata

And Daddy had to get in there too...

The Big 4-0!

Oh no!  Say it ain't so!
Dave turned the big four-oh!

That's right Dave turned 40 this August.  His birthday fell on a Sunday and we decided at the last minute to do something low key, because his big birthday bash was a week later.  So we drove out to the San Pablo Recreation area and rented a boat for a couple of hours.

We even let the 6 year old drive...

While it was warm at our house, it was quite cool on the water and in this area.  But it was simply beautiful!

We packed a lunch and had it on the water. And just drove around and around for the remaining time of our rental.

 Drew of course had to ham it up - I think this must be his impression of that scene from Titanic.  No he's never seen it, but he has seen the cover of the movie - you know to see what it's rated (his favorite thing to do to all.of.our.DVDs.).

And the birthday boy...

 ...40 looks pretty good on him.

Father and son..

I'm not sure if you can see this well, but this is a tree where it's roots are out of the water.  It was amazing to see how low the reservoir was - and it was a prime example of how bad the drought in California is.

Just gorgeous...

We loved this little recreation spot!  We were talking about how fun it would be to get a group of people together to rent a pontoon for a few hours and go on the water (sans kids) for a little apps and maybe sneak in a few adult beverages....

First Hall Of Fame - 75th Anniversary

Waiting for Dave to be "ready" to write a blog is like waiting to see pigs fly.  Because he was never "ready", I'm going to go ahead and share my interpretation of his trip to Cooperstown in July. 

In July, Dave was able to go on a trip of a lifetime - to see the Baseball hall of fame induction.  One of his favorite ball players, Frank Thomas, was being inducted.  So he went back while Mom and Drew stayed home (or rather  took a road trip to Yosemite).

After a flight filled with drama, he made it back to Albany and spent the night with his parents before making the 2 1/2 hour drive to Cooperstown, home of the Baseball Hall of Fame.  They go all out for induction weekend.  You're able to walk through the streets and see players from the past lined up so you can pay them for their autographs - some Dave said wanted more than $100!  Dave said he waited in the lines just to say hi and shake hands.

Ricky Henderson

Rollie Fingers

Dave Henderson

Tony Perez

So the big story of the weekend were these fellows...

Reggie Jackson (Left) Pete Rose (Right)

 Grandpa Tim saw Reggie Jackson and Pete Rose shooting the breeze inside one of the shops.  And Grandpa Tim being who he is, cut through the line to break up the conversation between the two men to say hi to the guys and pumped up Dave.

Grandpa Tim Photobombing Pete & Reggie

  He went out to find Dave and then he too cut in line to get the autograph.

Grandpa Tim, Dave and Pete Rose
This was the one autograph they paid for.

 Dave made a joke that he wanted to meet Mr. October... but Pete Rose joked and said, "He may be Mr. October, I was known as Mr. April, May, June, July, August and September."

Grandpa Tim, Reggie Jackson, Dave

 It's one of the highlights from their trip.

Frank Robinson

 As you can imagine hotels during induction weekend are expensive and really hard to come by.  So about a year ago Dave looked into campsites where they can stay for a fraction of the cost.  They had a great time, and it looked beautiful. 

Grandpa Tim belting away

Grandma Lolly & Grandpa Tim

Dave & Tim

 They had a parade of the players from the past and inductees as they made their way inside the Hall of Fame.  Dave said he saw and shook hands with many ball players.  One of the most crowd engaging was Cal Ripkin Jr.  He spent about 45 minutes shaking hands and signing autographs.

Baseball Hall of Fame

Dave, Grandma Lolly & Grandpa Tim at Doubleday Field

Grandpa Tim checking out his new ride

 Later they walked the streets and saw more former players.

Ron Guidry

Goose Gossage

Dale Murphy

Darryl Strawberry

Robin Yount

Crazy Crowds

 And then on Sunday it was the day that Dave was waiting for.  To see the induction from the field.  He even made a homemade sign to represent his favorite player.

Dave at the induction with the sign he made

He'd hoped at one point that he could get Frank Thomas to sign it, but unfortunately that never happened.  He did however get his 4-seconds of fame on the ESPN broadcast of the induction. His sign made the opening of the Induction Show.

Frank Thomas receiving his plaque

Frank Thomas' Speech

Others who were inducted that day: Tom Glavin, Greg Maddux,
Coaches: Joe Torre, Bobby Cox, Tony LaRussa

Dave loved the experience and said he wanted to bring Drew and I in about five years.  Just in time for Derek Jeter's induction..... however I think this is much more a father/son trip.  Mom would be a whiner - except for the part where I got to see Jeter...

Mommy's Birthday Letter to Drew - Age 7

Dear Drew,

Lucky number seven - Happy Birthday!  You're so excited to grow up, but please cherish these young years - they go by so fast.  Take a moment to look around and enjoy the moment.  First grade!  You're one confident boy, and I love seeing you interact with other kids.  The stories you all share and conversations - albeit likely about MineCraft - are so fun to listen to.

Girls?  You may think they're gross and weird right now, but I see you showing off for them and acting silly, so I know you like them  Someday you're going to make one of those girls very happy!  Just remember to be yourself, your manners, and the right way to treat people.

I still love our nightly conversations - and our reading time. I love when you ask "Can you read me Harry Potter?".  I know you could do it yourself if you wanted to, but it's so special, I'm enjoying that reading time and adventure with you.  I'm sure it's soon to come to an end and I'll miss it as much as our cuddle time.

In the past year we've seen so many changes:

- You fight for what you believe and you don't let anyone take advantage of you. If they do you let them hear it.  Good for you!  Although sometimes you aren't going to be right and sometimes you need to let the other person "win" even if you are or think you're right.  Compromise is good.

- I love that you defend your friends from "bullies".  Keep it up.  As we've told you, you will likely get in trouble at school, but as long as you aren't "throwing the first punch" you won't be in trouble at home.  I love that you can resolve most of these altercations with words.  Keep it up!

- Keep reading!  Keep learning!  Keep asking questions!  I love how inquisitive you are and how you ask questions until you've depleted every possible answer out of a person.

- You're a perfectionist.  While this is good, you need to remember to cut yourself some slack... but not too much.

- I love that while you like time with your friends, you still like your solo time.  That's such an important skill to have.

- Sports, you're Dad's Mini-me.  We've seen so much imrovement in your abilities.  Everything from switch hitting this season in Rookie Ball to being more aggressive in soccer.  That's awesome!  Keep it up.  Play with passion because when the passion dies, it's time to leave the sport.

You really are a loveable boy - everyone who comes across you tells us that.  While I think so (I'm admittedly bias) it's always reaffirming that others feel the same way. While I hate that you're growing up, I love seeing who you're growing up to be.    So here's to another year of adventures and fun.



I love you to Neptune and back infinity times,

Mommy