First project

We've already had our first project, and actually it was due the Monday after Labor Day.  We, I'm sorry, I mean he, had to build a volcano and make it explode in class.  Here are a few pictures of the process.

pouring the vinegar

adding the vinegar, water and dish soap

ready with our baking soda

And he said his volcano exploded, so I guess he got an A!

National Anthem at the Football Game

Texas football is always a fun past-time, even if it is 6-man football.  Being a private school, the fields are not always great, and apparently, we have a pretty good one.  So we managed to get 9 home games.  Yep, nine! 

Here we are playing the National Anthem, and Zachary got pulled out to play with the high school students.  I'm so proud!  Check him out...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-gSN2rEel48&feature=plcp

I'm sure you won't get teared up like I do, but there is just something about hearing our National Anthem that makes you proud.  And now my boy is involved...kinda cool!

The routine

Third week of school, and we are finally in a routine.  Not much is happening, and to be honest, I'm not too upset about that.  To give a little praise report for our Zachary, he is doing really good in Jr. High.  He is remembering his assignments, completing his work at school, and hasn't been coming home with a bunch of homework.  He has been able to finish most of his homework in his study hall period.  And a huge improvement in his ability to articulate the teacher's assignment or recall what a teacher said about a project or homework, especially when it is different from the teacher's web page.  We are not deep in to school, so there is no telling what the first nine-weeks will bring. And so far, his only struggle are still those pesky 'how' and 'why' questions.  Anyone out there with a good explanation on how to explain how to answer these two questions is welcome to advise.  I'm open to suggestions.

Since we haven't had any great events or exciting new things happening, I've decided to post some miscellaneous pictures...

Found this cute, old lady at South Padre

A lesson in paddle boarding with a great friend

My sweet, old dog, Pete

Surrounded by cool friends, unable to defend himself

Portrait for bio on Houston Symphony web page when he is hired to play English Horn

San Antonio/Austin whirlwind

We made one last trip before summer was over, and yes, I'm finally posting.  We started at Eric and Jennie's and had lunch, swam, played games, rode in Katie's golf cart, and all in about 5 hours. 

From there we headed to stay the night with Ryan, Micki and the beans.  Poor Nolan wasn't feeling well, but Olivia was a hoot.  She climbed right up by me and became an instant friend, and Zachary claimed Ammo.

The next morning, we headed over to Traci's.  We had some early birthday presents for Jack and Whitney.  We went to eat burgers, and then swim at a really cool pool.  No good posed pictures, but several of Traci in a bathing suit.  I'm afraid she kill me if I posted them, even though she is a hot mama!

Next we headed to Aunt Ruth's to stay the night.  We slowed down a bit here.  We ate dinner and after dinner decided to go swim.  Uncle Steve got right in the pool and Zack and him had a good ole time.  Of course, Zachary brought up music, and Uncle Steve made the mistake of saying he still had his clarinet.  And the next thing I knew, the boys were playing together.  It was like Uncle Steve was back in the 2nd chair in the high school band.

On Saturday, we made a quick trip to see Nicole.  Luke and Madeline were so sweet.  Didn't stay too long because it was nap time, and by the looks of this pictures, we couldn't keep anyone still.

Back to Aunt Ruth's for dinner and an early night to bed.  And off we went to Lanie's in the morning for lunch.  I had wanted to see her new place.  It is super cute!  I highly suggest a stop by!  We went to a fun restaurant and then a really neat toy store.  I'm sad I didn't get any pictures of her or her place. A must see next time you are in Austin!

Next stop was Amy's to stay the night.  Her place is cute too!  We weren't there long before we made a quick jaunt to Space City Taverns. Neat place.  Zachary kept an eye out for bats.  Luckily the kids didn't notice, but Amy and I thought we were going to hurt our tour guide.  He was literally the lamest guide ever...totally monotone, no personality, no fun, not sure he even knew what a smile was.  We had a good time despite mud tracks from our rears to our feet.

Off to dinner at Aunt Kathy's.  A little more time with Lanie too.  Aunt Kathy cooked a nice meal, and I hated that we didn't stay longer.  Amy had to work so we figured we better get back.  We had to tear ourselves away from the Olympics, and make ourselves go to bed because we kept visiting once we got home.

Two more stops....
When Amy left in the morning, I headed just up the road to Cassie and Travis' to see my little friends and meet their brother.  Jacob is the sweetest, mild mannered baby.  Just a doll!  Travis came home for lunch, but before that we played light sabers, soccer, and had our own little jam session.

From there, we headed to my mom's.  Her birthday was Tuesday so we stayed the night on Monday.  Aunt Ruth helped me secure a bat house for her, and she was so excited!  The best part was the gag gift of salad hands.  It was a total joke and Mom was just as gracious as ever.  Later she admitted she wasn't very excited about them.  Ha!

Teeth and eye check-ups, and we finally headed back home.  All that in 5 1/2 days.  Some kind of craziness, but it really was fun to see that many people and get one-on-one time with each family I visited.  Summers over, and we are back to school.  Life has settled back down. 

First day of Junior High

He picked out his Converse tennis shoes & chose his outfit the night before.  He was ready to get help with his hair.  He gets to sit on the other side of the bleachers with all the secondary students.  He has a top locker with a friend. (sigh) 

His classes are going really smooth so far.  He's only had a little homework, but I know things will get busier.  We start swim team next week and then bible study the week after.  Overall, he has done really well, and his teachers have been super supportive of trying a few things to help him.  Surprisingly, they seem to be working too.  I think we are off to a great year! 

So many years of hard work, and finally a wonderfully relaxing summer.  I'm looking forward to this new school year.  I hope I'm still saying that in a few months.

"I have bad eyes"

I've heard about Zachary having "bad eyes" for more than six months.  He has bad eyes when he gets problems wrong in math or when he doesn't understand the directions in English.  There's all kinds of reasons he has "bad eyes".  So I decided it was time for an official eye exam at Dr. Spitzberg's office.

He was a stellar patient.  Did very well with the eye charts both far and up close.  I actually began to wonder if maybe he was having trouble seeing, but then the doctor said, "As I expected.  The data is conflicting, so I don't think there are any issues."  They took a picture of the inside of his eye, which was a little tricky with the bright flash (he says a flash can damage his eye too).  Nonetheless, his eyes were healthy on all points.

However, he still insisted he needed glasses and decided to try a few on.  These of course had no prescription, and he said "he could see better".  After having already lost a retainer, I opted not to buy another item that wasn't needed and could likely be lost too.  But he sure looked cute...

Mature hair style

 It was time to get Zachary's haircut after a short cut for the summer.  With his obsession with the Houston Symphony, he decided he wanted a hair style "like Adam Dinitz", who happens to play the English horn.  I know it is a little weird that he knows his name, but they published it in the program.  Should have figured he'd have them all memorized in due time.

Nonetheless, we took our picture and the stylist cut it and fixed it all cute.  We were successful at home the next day, so now I needed to teach him.  After his shower, he got out, and made his own first attempt.  Can you see the hilariousness of this picture!  A huge glob of gel is placed pretty much only at the front, and no where else.  He's got two spikes rather than a messed up look, and it was hard as a rock.  There was no moving this hair.

He's playing a video game & wouldn't look.

 I'll aim to get a good picture on the first day of school so you can see the real Zack Sansing, next Houston Symphony oboe player!  I know you will be surprised with the first day of school outfit, same old uniform.