I've not been blogging since we lost our Loki. Most everybody knows that we have gotten a new puppy. We named him Hagrid, because he is hairy and not at all large. He is cute and takes a lot of time. I still miss Loki, but having a puppy around helps.
In other news, I FINALLY finished Rowan's Christmas present. Yes, I know it's March. It was a complicated knit, on size 2 needles. Frankly, I'm proud of myself for getting it done in 3.5 months. We had all that stuff happening, and Rowan had a surgery, and I simply had to take breaks from it to maintain my sanity. The front wasn't hard at all, but miles of stockinette on tiny needles has its own brand of peril.
But now, behold... The Vest. Be aware that this is not blocked. He couldn't wait for that to wear it. I'll block it later so I can enter it in the Carolina Fiber Fest.
It's not terribly impressive from the front, but that's a lot of knitting. Keep your hats on for the back.
I believe this deserves nothing less than a SHAAAA-ZAAAM! And it's big on him. He can wear it for years.
And since Jane said that the colors he chose work well for not only the Order of the Phoenix, but also for the Weeping Angels...
Tonight was the Winter Concert for Sterling's music program. It's about 90 minutes of musical cacophony as the students show us what they've been up to in their hours after school. This was Rowan's first year playing in the band, and he really enjoys it.
This is video number 1. There was some sort of student being ready malfunction between songs, so the wait with nothing happening got really long. I ended up stopping this one and starting another video once they were ready to play again, so you can save yourself some time by hitting the stop button on this one once the song is done.
Video number 2 (with bonus Rowan announcing one of the songs!)
It's like you were there! Except you missed the beginner violins, the advanced violins, the violin solo, the advanced band, the sterling band, the sterling singers, and the sterling stars. I could have taped it all, but Merry Christmas!
This year, I decided to take school pictures myself. I've bought the package from Lifetouch every year, and they're not bad, but I feel like I've gotten good enough to take my own pictures from now on. Either I'm good enough, or I'm cheap enough! lol
I posted a set on facebook, and everyone had different opinions about which one was best, so I just picked my favorites.
I always think of Nemo yelling on the first day of school. Time, once again, for the quiet to descend on the house as the boys head off to another day of school. I have this last year home with Eleri, and then they'll all be school kids. I may need some holding and lots of chocolate for that. eeep!
They are both going back to their old classrooms, so the nerves and such that I always had for the first day of school don't come into play. Next year will be different, because everyone will be starting a new classroom, but this year is pretty smooth with more of the same as last year.
6th grader
3rd Grader
I told them to look cute, and this is what they gave me.
I told them to show me some blue steel, and they did this
Just look at Niall in the first one and Rowan in the second, and you have a pretty good picture.
We made sure they had what they needed, reminded them of the house rule (always be kinder than necessary!) and then they were off! They are both in the oldest grade in their classrooms this year, and they are looking forward to the bonus responsibilities and privileges that come with that.
I'm so far behind in blogging it's not funny. But oh well. It's the last day of school!
For Rowan, the last day of 5th grade. He's grown so much! Today's picture of Rowan is weird. His shirt is hanging funny. I didn't notice the book bag weirdness when I was taking it.
He's a little taller. His hair is a lot longer.
Niall has also grown a bunch. He couldn't smile as well because last night he woke up to go to the bathroom and tripped over some stuff on his floor. His lip met a chair and is all puffy now. The caterwauling at 2am shot me straight out of bed. But anyway...
Today was the Blue and Gold ceremony for the Cub Scouts. Rowan received his Arrow of Light, and then crossed the bridge to become an official Boy Scout.
Flaming arrow
Rowan gets his arrow
Checking it out
Getting the badge that goes with the arrow
Saluting his den leader goodbye
On the bridge
Getting his new neckerchief
It struck me how Rowan is standing on the step, and is still so much smaller than that Boy Scout.
It's always an adventure when school calls you and tells you that your child has a head injury and you need to come right over.
Rowan was playing capture the flag in PE, and he and Peter went after the same flag at the same time. Rowan's eye met Peter's forehead in a big way.
I went on over there, not expecting anything too terrible, but it was a little unnerving to find my child with a few paramedics standing around him, suggesting we take him in to be seen.
I opted for our pediatrician instead of the ER docs and ambulance ride. Rowan was a little disappointed but then agreed with me when I told him how my way meant that he'd get to eat lunch at lunchtime.
Dr. Artman checked him over and he's fine. There's no weirdness going on with his eye, but the swelling and bruising promises to be SPECTACULAR. I believe it. His eye is already bigger than it was when I took these pictures.
We're to keep using ice for 20 mins at a time, give him ibuprofen, and call back if he starts hurling or showing other signs of bad things. I told Rowan that the next time he wants an afternoon off school, he should just SAY so.
If you'd like to watch Rowan's eye as it blooms, we now have a set on flickr just for the shiner.
