Harvest Festival

One of the things I love best about Bainbridge Island is how many family friendly festivals and events there are. This weekend the boys and I hit up the Harvest Festival and a nearby farm while daddy was away at work, and it did not disappoint. Magnus couldn't get enough of the homemade slide that ended in a pile of hay, nor the jumping platform onto a large mat. We all enjoyed the horse drawn carriage ride, folk band, sheep shearing, and live animals. Heading home, Magnus decided we, too, should have a baby goat as a pet.

"Only Child"

While Dee and I spend a lot of time as a family, and each boy certainly gets his "one to one parent time," Alden gets to experience what it is like as an "only child" on the days that Magnus goes to school. Lately we've been hitting up Battle Point Park, where mom is able to get a run in and Alden gets to play afterward. I can't say he doesn't enjoy this time with no brotherly distractions, but he does seem to get excited to pick up his "brober" after our three hours are over.

School

Dee and I are incredibly fortunate to have so much time to spend with our boys. They seem to be growing at warp speed and I often find myself taking in moment after moment, knowing all too well that our days will soon be filled with full time school, sports and playdates with friends. For those reasons, we were torn over putting Magnus in school part time, since kindergarten is literally around the corner. At the same time, we were hearing Magnus' talk about whether or not certain boys he played soccer with over the summer were his friends, and getting giddy when he'd see them around town (which happens quite frequently on the island we've learned). With these signs of wanting to meet more playmates, and not just randomly at the park, we decided he was needing some more socialization that was a bit more regular. We were delighted to come across the Island Children Montessori and their teaching staff. They were welcoming without pushing Magnus into being comfortable in this new surrounding before he was ready, and they were willing to accommodate a flexible schedule that comes with being a firefighter and part-time teacher. Magnus couldn't wait to go to "Tomas' school" on the first day--a little boy he had befriended during soccer camp and later learned attended ICM. An hour later when I picked him up (it was just a "starter day") he exclaimed, "I had a great day at school today mommy!" There was a little uneasiness when I dropped him off the next day for three hours, but he was distracted by some chalk drawing and I made my escape without tears. On the third day, I wanted to be "that parent" lingering outside the classroom until his outbursts and tears subsided, but I made myself walk away (with a tear or two welling up, I will admit) knowing that this was normal, and he'd be fine in a couple of minutes. Upon pick-up, I was assured of that, and he once again shouted, "I had a great day at school today mommy!" So far, Magnus loves the painting and chalk drawing easel, and "recess" on their playground. He is quite enamoured by his friend, Tomas, and I often hear more about Tomas and what he did at school than what Magnus himself did! If I ever teach kindergarten again, I can now say, "I get it" with regards to the parents that have a hard time letting go at drop off. But there is such joy in hearing him talk enthusiastically about how much fun he had as well, that I try to let that be my guide on those tearful mornings.

Magnus peers inside his classroom with his "big boy backpack." The day it arrived in the mail he wore it through dinner and didn't take it off until bedtime.Ready!

Magnus' bin with his school slippers and "cozy" that he made when he was missing his mommy and daddy.Magnus shows off the "kissing hand" picture he made after listening to the book, The Kissing Hand.

Final Visit to 39s

After several years in Lake City at Station 39, Dee is heading to Station 25 in Capital Hill. While he is hoping to get on with the HazMat unit at 10s in Pioneer Square, he was ready for a change of scenery until that day arrives. Practically the entire family showed up on his last day to say good-bye to his former crew, and allow the boys one more romp in the engines (as it might be a while before the newbie lets his boys run freely at the new station.)

Perhaps the saddest person to see Dee leave 39s is his grandma who literally lives across the street from the station. His old crew will be equally sad to see the donuts that she dropped off regularly cease.

Bathtime Bonding

I love these boys!

Alden

Little Love

Bitty Beckham Soccer Camp

Bainbridge has a fantastic parks and recreation department, with just about every class/activity that you can image. This summer they had a soccer camp for 3-5 year olds that we thought would be right up Magnus's alley, as he is quite interested in soccer these days. It lasted four days for an hour and half each day. I wasn't sure how he'd do--if we actually get "our monies worth," or if he'd think it was fun the first day and then decide he was done with three days to go. I was pleasantly surprised though, and after the first day he said, "thank you for taking me to soccer camp mom" on our drive home! While he wasn't a fan of the games (duck duck goose, red light/green light, etc.) in between "drills" he was quite the soccer player when the ball was introduced and it was time to kick it around. Dee and I found ourselves in quite the conundrum on day two when they practiced one on one; all was well as Magnus dribbled with the ball toward the goal, until the other little boy stole the ball and began running with it. Magnus ran to the sidelines in tears saying, "he's not sharing with me!" Having spent three years telling him to share, share, share, and then trying to explain that this was a game where you didn't want to share, and it was okay, was tricky! By day four, he seemed to understand the game a little more, and it ultimately prompted a trip to see the Kitsap Pumas play live (so we could have him see how the big boys didn't cry every time the ball was taken away from them). All in all, he enjoyed himself, met some possible future friends (we now see his fellow campers everywhere), and has ignited an even larger love of the game.

Magnus goes one on one with Vinny.

Magnus dominated the game, Sleeping Giants.

I'm sure I probably should have paid for two participants, cause Alden was right there in the action throughout it all, ready to play ball!