Incredible Pizza

Soccer

We made it back home, and Connor was elated to see his friends. The first morning he let his dad shave a lot of hair off, which is great now that we're back in the Deep South. "Mommy, it's SO HOT," he kept saying the first day we were back, while running errands. We had not experienced such humidity so far this summer.

I find the short haircut adorable- he looks like a little soccer player- and I know it is much cooler for him.

In fact he will begin playing soccer in August-he is so excited. Upon our return we found a package from Aunt Shannon filled with all kinds of soccer - 3 pairs of cleats (some for him to grow into), 2 pairs of shinguards, soccer shorts, and a brand new soccer ball! Of course he was thrilled. (Thanks, Aunt Shannon!)

In a little while we will have a belated birthday fete for Isabella- we missed her birthday while we were away. There is a pink cake with sprinkles, homemade ice cream, and a big bag full of sidewalk chalk supplies for her.

King Connor

Someone aided and abetted Connor in making a crown yesterday afternoon. Here he is sitting on his "throne."

On Vacation

New Mexico Museum of Natural History & Science

Albuquerque Bio Park

Yesterday Connor toured the Albuquerque Biological Park. This is near the entrance to the zoo.

Connor puts on his armband.

He observes a fountain near the entrance to the aquarium.

Connor feels stingray teeth.

Though it was a long day (9-3), he enjoyed it. His favorite parts were the train rides and seeing the sharks and stingrays at the aquarium.

Connor Hits the Road

Connor is currently on the road and cannot answer your phone calls, e-mails, texts, etc.

Books Connor Has "Read"

1. Charlotte's Web
2. Stuart Little
3. Sideways Stories from Wayside School
4. Wayside School is Falling Down
5. Wayside School Gets a Little Stranger
6. The Mouse and the Motorcycle
7. Ramona the Pest
8. Runaway Ralph

Next up: another Ramona book, or Ralph S. Mouse

Exciting Developments

Connor's parents have been exceedingly busy in the mad rush toward the school year's end, but that hasn't stopped Connor from having lots of fun. Last weekend he renewed family membership to the Memphis Zoo. He is also the proud new owner of a basketball goal that is just his size (photos to come) - something for which he bugged his parents until we finally assented. He is disappointed that he didn't get to play soccer this spring - maybe next year. With the pleasant spring weather as of late, Connor has enjoyed many fun hours playing outside with all the neighbor children. This afternoon a storm is brewing, so he is practicing his Mario skills on the Wii.

Three of them - Connor, Riley, and Mason - will be starting kindergarten in August. Toward this end, Connor got the last of his school immunizations yesterday morning. He was so brave. He got four shots, two in each arm, and barely winced. Later he told me in the car he stated clearly a couple of times that "they really hurted." But he was fine.

This morning, before the field trip departure, he registered for school. He met two of the kindergarten teachers. One of them administered a pre-assessment, and he did well. She said they use the Saxon curriculum, which is somehow related to the Beka curriculum he now learns. His current teacher's children attend this school, and she is angling for Connor to be placed with the teacher her kids had. No matter, it is nice to know someone who is familiar with the school. We have visited a couple of times and all the neighbors attend, but it is nice to hear things from another good teacher.

We have four or five weeks of school remaining. Connor's completion ceremony is in about a month. We can't wait for summer! This has been a tough year, one at least Connor's parents are eager to put behind them. And Connor is looking forward to a break from starting his school day at 6:30 - 6:30! Poor guy. His school next year won't start 'til 8:30; maybe we can work out a way to let him have a more restful start to his day.

Charlotte's Web

Today Connor's class went on a field trip to see the play version of Charlotte's Web. Remember this was his first read-aloud chapter book, and his teacher has been reading it to the class as well. It was great! Everyone's favorite character was Templeton, played by a 6 year-old kindergarten student. After the play, Connor got to get in a picture with him! He was thrilled.