Kindergarten News Flash

Thompson is continuing to have a great time at school.  If you ask him what he likes best, he'll tell you riding the bus, eating in the cafeteria and playing on the playground.  I guess that's par for the course for a 5-year old boy.  He was asked to write a sentence this past week, which is featured in the picture.  I think you'll agree he did a good job phonetically speaking.  So for the news flash...with the six Kindergarten classes bulging at the seams (25 students/class), his school was approved to add another section of Kindergarten and Thompson was one of the four lucky students from his class chosen to move.  His new teacher, Ms. Jayne Brown, welcomed her 21 new students today by inviting them to have lunch with her in their new classroom.  Also moving to the class is a friend of his that lives 3 doors down and a friend from his preschool class at Nativity.  So, Thompson said farewell to Ms. Cody and Ms. Bowman today and will join Mrs. Brown on Tuesday.

Beach Pics - Final Day

Beach Photos

We're having a great time in Emerald Isle, NC!  Thompson, William and I were able to join Mamere, Papere and the "Beach Buddies" for their annual fall beach trip.  Unfortunately, Bobby was unable to join us this year as he had a business trip in San Diego last week and needed to be back in the office this week.  For the first time, the "Beach Buddies" have returned to the same beach home they rent in the spring.  The boys crash hard each night after their fun-filled days of playing in the sand and ocean, catching fish, splashing in the pool, riding bikes & scooters, playing ball, drawing with chalk, blowing bubbles, watching the excavator next door and so much more!  Here are a few photo highlights from the first part of the week.

our dump truck - which has made every beach trip!

  Charles (aka Mr. Bear) giving fishing lessons

the "grand-boys"

David, Andy, Thompson, Jackson & William

Farewell Friend

Dobson

May 7, 1997 - September 14, 2011



Christmas 1998
Cashiers, NC

Dobson, I could not have asked for a better "first" dog. God blessed my life with yours the past 14 years.  You were loved and adored by everyone that met you, and putting you down this morning was one of the single hardest decisions I've ever had to make.  My heart, while heavy, was given the peace only God can provide.  Your once strong and agile physique had been steadily deteriorating, and I could not bear to walk alongside you and watch you experience what I knew lied ahead.  And as Poppy reminded me, today I demonstrated a loving act of kindness to and for you.



May 2004
The Woodlands, TX

D-man, you've donned the red collar well the past 14 years.  And my, what memories we've had...flying under the airplane seat from your birthplace in Memphis, TN; roaming the Merrie-Woode grounds; being loved on by thousands of young campers; finding hundreds of tennis balls; sitting on the front steps with your rear on the top step and your front paws on the next step below; rubbing and massaging your velvety ears; cross-country road trips; visiting Arizona, Nevada (Las Vegas Strip), Utah, Idaho, Wyoming (Grand Tetons), Montana (Yellowstone), South Dakota (Mount Rushmore), Iowa, Illinois, Missouri, Kentucky; calling seven states home (TN, NC, VA, CA, GA, WV & TX); welcoming Thompson and William into our family; the thousands of miles we've walked and hiked in the sun, rain, heat and cold; swimming in the lakes and rivers; siring a litter of 10 girls just over 13 years ago; pacing when the red luggage would appear; barking at the doorbell (even the ones on TV); finding the shade and lying in the grass; and so many more!



Sept 13 2011
Arden, NC



My Dobson, you loved me and my family every day.  You loved us unconditionally and your presence warmed my soul every day. Thank you for taking care of us.  You are sorely missed and I know it will take time and God's healing peace to get use to your not following me from room to room.

Before saying good night to Thompson last night, I reminded him Dobson was an old dog, not in good health and a day will come soon when he'll die and not be with our family anymore.  He responded, "I'm feeling happy-sad right now."  And with those two-words, summarized all our feelings.  As for William, I know he'll remind us "bye-bye. Dobson. heaven".  I'll see you in heaven D-man.

Big Boys Ride Big Bikes

A couple weeks have passed since Thompson last insisted that we get the "big boy" bike down, which is hanging from the ceiling in the garage, to see if he had grown enough to reach the pedals.  Well, sure enough, he has!  He's now riding Anna's 20" bike, complete with hand brakes and six gears.  He practiced all afternoon and concluded with a ride at the Arboretum and Bent Creek with Herb, Kristine and me.  For his first time on this bike, he did awesome!

20 Punches

Thompson's school has a program that rewards appropriate behavior by publicly acknowledging good decisions.  Expectations and rules are posted throughout the school to remind students to work towards positive behaviors.  The primary areas that are focued on are the common areas of the school, namely hallways, cafeteria, bathrooms, playground and buses.  Each student is given a lanyard and karabiner with an attached punch card. When staff members see students displaying those qualities that meet school rules and expectations, they can “punch” a students card with a hole punch. When a student receives 20 punches, his/her card is entered into a weekly prize bucket drawing into which we draw for small prizes for each grade level. The card is then placed into a large bucket for eligibility to receive a large prize at the end of the 9-week grading period.

Drumroll please...Thompson earned his 19th and 20th punches today. Not only did he complete his card, but he told us he was the first student in his class to do so.  Needless to say, we are super proud of him!

William's 1st Day of Preschool

William started preschool at Around the Son this morning.  He was ready to see Ms. Louise (aka Ms. Weezie) & Ms. Katerina and meet the six other children in his class.  Good news...no tears from either of us.  He walked in as if he'd done it a million times before!

Ponderings on Heaven

Over the weekend both Thompson and William pondered the concept of heaven aloud.  Thompson asked if after we die and go to heaven, do we stay there for a little while and then come back as a baby to a new mommy and daddy.  And William, who we told Max (Annie and Poppy's dog who passed away a couple weeks ago) went bye-bye to heaven, said on several occasions, including during dinner tonight when he heard us talking to T about heaven, said "Max heaven. Max bye-bye heaven."

It Must Be Football Season!

The boys have their new "tees" and are ready for some SEC football.  Go Gamecocks!