Birthday Surprise!

There is a good reason why there's a new post so soon after the Giant Twinkie one...we have BIG news (actually, it's quite little, but don't tell him that!)!  Wyatt got an early birthday surprise on Monday that has the whole family laughing, growling, howling, amassing band-aids, googoo- and gaga-ing and cleaning up pee.  Let me give you a hint:

Meet Jasper Jax, the coolest little dude on four white paws.  He is 150% Jack Russell Terror and we have all fallen head over heels for him--well, almost all of us.  Sage is a wee bit grumpy with the bundle of over-abundant energy, but give her time.

You know how sometimes the best things in life are those that aren't planned?  That's Jasper.  Colt and I have been discussing getting a puppy within the next year or so as Sage is getting older and we wanted a bridge to help Silver deal with her loss, when it comes.  Plus, Wyatt has been pleading for his very own dog for years, and we figured he would be ready for his own four-legged buddy by then.  So, it has been in the thought process for a while, but wasn't meant to be put into action for months.

But life doesn't follow your planner, does it?!  Let's just say, we saw an ad in the paper and both Colt and I felt the pull to follow-up on it.  Wyatt's birthday is in two weeks and once we met Jasper, well...

Three big dogs is too much, so we have been looking into big dogs in little dogs bodies that could keep up with Wyatt on a run and deal with Sage.  Jack Russell Terriers are known to be:
* Extremely Intelligent
*Assertive
*Sturdy, tough and tenacious--one JRT was reported to have lodged himself in a fox den for two days, refusing food or water until the quarry came out.
*Seriously fearless and assertive.  Case in point: In 2007, George, a JRT in New Zealand, defended five children from two pit bulls just long enough for the kids to escape to safety.  He doggedly refused to let them get to the kids--especially the little 4-yr. old, and ultimately lost his life doing so.
*They were bred to bolt foxes and ground-dwellers from their dens, so they are hunters and like to dig...everywhere.
*High Energy and athletic
*Vocal
* "It is not uncommon for these dogs to become moody or destructive if not properly stimulated and exercised, as they have a tendency to bore easily and will often create their own fun when left alone to entertain themselves."  (Wikipedia)

Yup.  We're in for it!  But since when have we ever done things the easy way???

The Day of the Giant Twinkie (Schoolbus)

Well, it came and went. Without too great of a ripple, and only a few tears (Rodas missing brothers and sister). The first day of school was much anticipated in our house--it being not only a new school year but a brand new school and brand new set of teachers. Even Rodas had her first day of preschool, and marched in like it was about time she had her turn (picture her with her hand on hip wigglin' her upper body and waving her finger with what I call "the sister swag"). She sent Mom on her way with only a slight quiver to her lips, but quickly recovered as she knew she was now, truly, a big girl.

Now, let's just get those pull-ups off at night! (0;

All the kids enjoy their teachers and seem to have received the right one for them. Tsegereda Rosalie's teacher is a very fun and loving woman that Tse just adores. She is the perfect successor to the AWESOME Mrs. C who gave our girl such an amazing start last year. Her class is a mixture of second and third graders and she seems to fit in very well. Tse has lots of friends and it seems her glossy braids and chocolate beauty have brought her more adoration than ostracism--almost to a worrisome level. It is something that we saw in Price and we try to temper at home, but I'll leave dealing with "The Ethiopian Princess complex/exoticism" for another blog entry....

Wyatt's teacher has a wonderfully dry sense of humor and doesn't seem to let much rile her. Wyatt's best new buddy is another Wyatt M....seriously. He has slipped into his class and seamlessly blended in with kids that have been together since preschool. That's Wyatt.

Noah has had a rougher start. Academically he is very strong, but socially he has struggled....and he's the one I usually don't worry about socially. Go figure! It seems that he is so used to kids gravitating towards him that when they didn't here, he was a bit lost as to what to do. Instead of trying to ingratiate himself, he sort of did his own thing hoping someone would come and join him. I noticed it at recess one day when I was helping in class and began asking him questions about it. Then Wyatt and Rosalie mentioned a few instances where kids had actually been picking on Noah and not treating him well. Mama Bear came out in me and I coached all of them about dealing with bullies and having each others' backs and working at making good friends. Suddenly Noah realized this was a great thing to play up for extra attention, so he began coming home every day with a "woe is me, I have no friends" attitude. That lasted a few days (and a talk with the teacher to find out more of the story) and he soon got no sympathy at home and I told him point blank that if he didn't like it then he had to work to change it. Go and ask someone to play, and then play what they're playing. And choose your friends well. I have always told my kids that it is not the quantity of friends that matters, but the quality.

So, the next day, he had a new buddy and all is well.

Hopefully.

Anyways, overall we really like Hayden Valley Elementary. Academically they might not be as strong as what we came from, but they more than make up for it in how well-rounded their program is. Music and PE everyday is a reality and the kids love it. They also allow a morning snack and afternoon snack (must be healthy) and their school lunches are wonderful and include lots of fresh fruits and veggies and the rule is you must try everything and eat at least 50% of what's on your plate. Most classes have 15-19 kids and I have been impressed with every school employee that I've met.

The longer school days -- catch the bus at 7 and get out at 3:35 or off the bus at 4:40--make for a little crazier schedule, trying to get kids to dance lessons and boy scouts, etc. on time and also complete homework due each day. I've also been asked to be the new Webelos boy scout leader, which is a good sized time commitment for only two kids. I'm a bit frustrated with that, but I figure it's a right of passage for any mother of boys. Yippee.

(0;

So, that's the past month in a nut shell. Fall is here, the trees and weather are finally joining in on the change of season, and my buck antelope has survived one hunting season. I'm not against hunting, as we are all hunters of one sort or another--whether you had an elk steak, a burger or broccoli salad last night. Everything eats something else to live. But when you see the same animals wander in and out of your life...you get sort of attached. I selfishly hope he makes it, not only to keep passing on his gorgeous genes, but because I like seeing the guy lazing about in our back pasture. Simple. As. That.

Happy FALL!