Movin' On Up

After “visiting” the upper pre-school "house" for a week, Marco has officially made the move to Kinder Haus.

On the first day, he cried when they said he had to move to the new house. His new teacher, Joni, told him, “Tough. You can cry here with the babies or come on over and hang with the big boys.” I like her style.

Marco said, “I was shy and scared, so I sat right next to Joaquin. But I couldn’t be next to anyone during nap time, because I talk too much.” Amen.

"Now, when they say, "'Kleines Haus!!!  Line up for nap!!!'  I just keep playing outside, because I'm in Kinder Haus now."

 He got a new cubby, hook and calendar, filled with more educational days and themes. Wednesdays are still sharing days and as if it wasn’t hard enough to come up with something each week, now they’re thematic. Stay tuned for creativity at its finest.

And lest you think Joni is all nails, she spent a full minute hugging Marco and telling him how proud she was of him for being a big boy.  Then, she brought it home when she told him, “But all of that doesn’t matter, are you proud of yourself?”

“Yes!” Me too.

Top Dog

A couple of months ago, Grandma and Papa’s great companion Barney the dog passed away. Jeff broke the news to Marco in the car and he poured into the house wide eyed and sad faced. “Mama, Barney got died. And he’ll stay died.” He cried and was so very sad.

Now, months later, he’s still so affected. He talks about him and asks about him. A couple weeks ago when we got to Grandma’s, he was sad all over again.

I was surprised by his sensitivity. Jeff leans over and whispers to me, “Well, I’m glad he got my heart.”

I'm with the band.

As part of Marco's rebel weekend, he came down to the bar to listen to the band.  They must not get many four year olds clapping their hands wildly over their heads, because they gave him drumsticks....

that he took to sharing day to tell his teachers and school friends about how he got them and to show them how to use them,

"Like this... 1,2... 1,2,3,4!!"

She was Great.

My Great Aunt Jean passed away and we celebrated her life with a church service and reception. After attending two funerals this year for people our age, this was truly a celebration.

Aunt Jean led an amazing life. She married her love, traveled the world and was surrounded by an amazing family. She will be missed, but she’s left so many memories. After all, she was married to my Great Uncle Jim – the greatest guy of the greatest generation. :)

We also didn't explain it completely to Marco.  We told him we were going to a celebration to honor Granny's sister and that Granny might be sad so she might need extra hugs and kisses.

He was pretty good during church.  He did scream out "That's my Granny!" once during the slide show and he did raise his hand when the pastor asked if anyone would like to say something.  (Snatched his hand down - eek, can you imagine!?) 

The service was perfectly appointed and personal.  She was well honored by her family and her church.  She would be proud.

At home, we recollected our trip. We always share our favorite parts. Marco said that he had three favorite parts and one of them was "the party for Granny’s sister where I had to be really quiet and then there were chocolate treats.”

And Aunt Jean continues to make an impression…

To my Great Aunt Jean. She was Great.

What Rules?

Another fantastic weekend in the mountains... the cabin was chock full of family and Marco realized that Silver Lake has it's own rules.

1.  He can go into the General Store by himself "without a dolt" and buy candy from the quarter section.

2.  Roasting marshmallows is a loophole for not playing with fire.

3.  He can ride his bike in the street.  When you hear "CAR!" - pull over.

4.  What floaties?

5.  He can ride pretty much anywhere in the car once we're off the highway.

And here's the proof: