Wacky Tie Day

Just to prove that the wackiness continues (and grows) with our number 1, here is a shot from the getting-ready-for-Wacky-Tie-Day process. For the record, the tie did begin around the neck, but was relocated after having been judged too scratchy. We rather like this look. He defended it to the teacher and kept it on all day. After this photo was taken he added bright yellow soccer socks. Alas, camera was safely stowed away by then.

6 weeks old & smiles emerging

First Day of First Grade

Today was Oliver's first day of first grade at his new school. Upon meeting Philip at the end of the school day, Oliver's teacher, Mrs. Cole, related that our Oliver was her first in 20 years of teaching. She added that Oliver had been filling her in on his advanced reading skills as well as his worry that the first grade reading will not be challenging enough. Good to know he's asserting himself. Of course, there were assertions of other stripes today too--the baseball shirt (larger than life size! with raised stitches!) and the very impressive shoes I unimpressively failed to include in the photo. The shoes are navy Puma sneakers with velcro tabs. The pumas are orange and light up on impact, showing, to the keen onlooker, a puma skeleton. As light up shoes go, these are pretty rad.

Brothers!

Above: Oliver reads to Sebastian during sunshine time.

Below: Sebastian sports his first gift from Oliver. Will I have another lefty? Or is the left hand the counter-balance for the right hand that has just thrown?

Welcome to the outside, Sebastian Charles!

Sebastian Charles Windham-Hughes was born on Sundy, August 8th, at 2:56 a.m. He weighed 8lbs. 10 oz. and measured 20&1/2 inches.Proud and loving big brother Oliver "pets" Sebastian for the first time. "He's so soft and warm!"
My boys--now a 3 pack.
First Family of four portrait.

Mama's Turn

I've said for years that it takes a family to get a PhD, and I can tell you now that I'm almost the other side of it that I still find it to be true. My boys have offered support and made sacrifices for a long time to get me across the stage with my Medieval academic garb. Thank you, my boys! I love you!

Kindergarten Graduation

Oliver and his principal, Mrs. Maglione, pose for a photograph at Kindergarten graduation.
They wore caps. "Pomp and Circumstance" played. Nearly 90 kindergarteners and their various family members squeezed into the kindergarten playground to see the children receive their first diplomas. It was a long time to wait. Periodically Oliver waved to me from his seat.
Above he poses with his teacher, below with me. Interesting that he chose his new "Cal Lutheran" shirt to wear for today's proceedings...
Here he happily passes on the cap to me: "My mama's graduating." Sweet boy. And yes, it's true--the graduation I mean. Then I'll finish the dissertation.