There are numerous things that make the twins' elementary school a cut above the rest. National Blue Ribbon School of Excellence, Red Carpet Award for being "family friendly," Everyday Math, reading and literacy programs, etc. Most recently I discovered they have a full kitchen in their classroom cluster and why - they baked a cake! Together! At school! Last week they were learning colors and talked about primary and secondary colors. On Friday all four classes baked their own Rainbow cake. That's cool. Also, the principal still leads the school in the Pledge of Allegiance, God Bless America and a moment of silence every day. Elizabeth's teacher sings a thank you song with her class every day before lunch. We are so pleased with our first public school experience.

Last night during family devotions we read about evil King Ahab and Queen Jezebel and the righteous man Naboth and his vineyards. Elizabeth prayed that good people like Naboth get to go to Heaven. So Sean asked her, "What do people have to do to go to Heaven?" She said, "Tell people about God." Not exactly, Sean told her. "Believe in God," she said. Yes! "I've always believed in God," she said. That's probably true.

Time to brag. Elizabeth is a star. Mrs. Hilton sometimes gives out Skittles as rewards for sitting quietly, following instructions, etc. Elizabeth doesn't like Skittles so she has her own special Hershey Kisses and Hugs. On Wednesday Mrs. Hilton said Elizabeth was going to go home with a bag full. Elizabeth didn't, of course, but she understood the compliment and was so pleased. Then yesterday during "Literacy Centers" Mrs. Hilton said that she and Mrs. Huck were going to have big heads when their students go to First Grade. Elizabeth didn't exactly understand that one, but she knew it was because they were the smart kids.

Looks like a pro, aye? And Beckham-handsome, too. 

It's been a big week for starting new things. Wil had his first ever soccer practice last Saturday and Elizabeth went to Daisy Girl Scouts for the first time. Wil told Sean, "Soccer is cool," when Sean got home on Saturday. Elizabeth was happy they did a craft at Girl Scouts on the very first day. I had warned her it might just be an information meeting.

Wil had soccer again on Monday evening and got to try his skills as a sweeper. He was very enthusiastic and I thought he played well. During both practices he started asking me 'how much longer?' after the first 30 minutes, but he assured me later that everything was fun, just long. His team is the Waves.

At long last Elizabeth started ballet and tap classes at the Community Rec Center. Parents weren't allowed to stay in the room, but we got to watch through the one-way window. She looked as though she was concentrating hard on what her dance teacher told her to do and equally hard at what she looked like in the mirror. I wish I could have gotten a picture. I certainly thought she was the most graceful of the ten little girls there!

We have 'homework' assignments now. They're just short activities about counting, patterns, the alphabet, etc. For example, "Name two words that rhyme with tree." That's it. We've got a calendar and the twins can choose what they want to do that day and then we check it off. There's something for every day but right now they only have to do one a week. We're having fun with it, however, and have done more. Yesterday Wil picked, "Draw a picture of your teacher and list three things you like about her." He said:

I like (Mrs. Wertz) because she teaches me.
I get to help her because I like her.
I like her because she wears cool shirts.

The twins get to check out books from the school library now. It's a big deal at our house. Elizabeth has been talking about it since school started. "We get to check out books after Labor Day. When is Labor Day?" She picked the same Rudolph the Red Nose Reindeer book that my parents have at their house. Wil picked out a Rosemary Wells book about a mouse called Shy Charles. Charles looks a lot like Max even though Max is a rabbit.

When I asked Wil what he had to do to borrow the book, he said, "I paid for it." I was a little surprised by that answer, but a upon further questioning I figured out that the librarian scanned a barcode that must go to Wil's name, ("It went beep like at the grocery store,") and then the barcode on the book, ("It beeped again.") I think he understands that he didn't actually buy the book, but we'll find out when he has to return it on Friday.

This is the time of day when I try to keep one eye or ear on Wil. He used to fall asleep at this time and ruin his sleeping pattern, which is much more critical now that they're in school. This has only happened once since they started school, so he seems to have broken the pattern, but I'm still anxious about it.

Christine and Elizabeth were in the other room counting and I hadn't seen or heard Wil in a while. So I went to check on him in his room. He was sitting under his table.

Me: Whatcha doin?
Wil: Finkin.
M: OK, just wanted to check on ya.

pause

W: Daddy, can I keep finkin?
M: Sure.
W: Because I need people to leave me alone in my room to fink.
M: OK, no problem. I just wanted to make sure you were OK.

I guess this is what introverts do when they come home from school.

Christine tried to quiz him on his PIN (for school lunch) after they got home, and he just couldn't pay attention. Maybe later.

We met Wil's friend Chandler and Elizabeth's friend Brooke at lunch last week. Chandler didn't have much to say although he seemed to enjoy sitting with us and talked a bit to Wil. Wil was so pleased that we'd come to meet his friend. Brooke on the other hand chatted happily about everything. She may have talked even more than Elizabeth.

I put the "popcorn words" will, go, and we on the refrigerator to see if the twins would notice. Elizabeth did and she rearranged them to write We will go. Brilliant!