Fun in the Big City!

One of the many advantages of living in a city is having close access to so many fun things to do! Today the kids and I ventured to the Columbia Zoo. We had a great time! Among our favorite exhibits were the penguins, gorillas and chimpanzees. I could have done without looking at the anaconda, python or tarantulas! We decided to buy a year long family membership, so now we can go anytime and also bring some of you along!!!!!

This week I realized that one of the advantages of the kids not having a big social life yet, is that they are really focused on their school work! All the kids have been pulling excellent grades, and seem to be enjoying their teachers praise and good favor. We do seem to be consumed with lots of homework each evening, but it has been bonding in its own way. Most of the teachers have had a little or no Friday homework policy for which we have all been greatful.

I had to smile yesterday when the crossing guard at school (whom I see twice daily) asked me "what is it that you do?" I answered quite sheepishy, "nothing". We chatted about what that meant and I think she doesn't believe me to be a slug, but I did find it funny. I truely am enjoying not having to be scheduled by anything other than the kids. I exercise, read, do my bible study, explore and am slowly making some friends. I actually was brave enough to ask a nice mom whom I talk to daily while waiting for Grace and Eli to come out of school, for her phone number. She was delighted to give it to me and even called me yesterday to see if the kids and I wanted to join them at the park!

Rob returns to us on Wednesday night and soccer starts Friday. Hip, hip hooray!

Eli Eating El Fresco! (by Eli of course)

This is a picture of me and my friends. On the left is my friend Jackson. In the middle is my best friend Shayon[Shy on, is how you prenounce it]. My mom came and ate lunch with me. I got to pick 3 friends, but my other friend wanted to eat in the cafeteria. I hope you are all doing well.

Soccer should start soon. I am on the same team as broken arm Ben. There are 1,000 kids playing for the YMCA like me. I can't wait to start! Miss y'all.

Dining with friend's (By Grace)

Today my mom came and had lunch with me and I got to eat outside with two friends. Their names are Kate and Olivia. All the girls wanted me to pick them to come outside with me, but I could only pick two.

School is fun. My teacher is named Mrs. Shaw. She is very, very nice. My favorite subject is social studies. My social studies teacher is Mrs. Yandle. At lunch you grab a milk and go to the end of the line and get your tray which already has all the food on it. This is way different from Three Lakes.

My family is having fun in South Carolina. On Saturday we went to the beach until Monday morning. My dad left Monday morning. I like going to the library. There is a really big library downtown but it is scary. We go to the branch, it is much smaller.

Ben's Broken! (by Ben himself)

Unfortunately over Labor Day weekend, I was playing on a skim board at the ocean and it slipped out from under me and I fell back on my right wrist. I was feeling pain for the next few days so my caring mother took me to the doctor for an x-ray. I found out that while I had not broken anything, I injured my growth plate still requiring a cast. I picked green and yellow for you guessed it...PACKERS! I have to wear the cast for three weeks and then go back to the doctor for more x-rays and a splint. I think I might want to break my limbs more often because the ortho office is really nice with free video games to play in the lounge!

All my teachers except for band, let other people help me write or didn't make me write at all. I'm hoping I will figure out how to write with my cast on!

Hilton Head Fun!

We had an awesome Labor Day weekend thanks to the generosity of the Wall's who let us use their condo on Hilton Head Island! The weather was perfect and the ocean waves just right for wake boarding and body surfing. We spent many hours playing at the beach and soaking up some much needed vitamin D. We were able to connect with Rob's uncle Paul and aunt Elna Ribbe from VA who were on their last day of vacation at Hilton Head when we arrived. We also spent some fun time with an "old" (as in years since HR) HoneyRock and Wheaton Grad school friend Jean DeVaty who is an Episcopal pastor on the island.

Besides playing in the ocean, we clocked in a lot of time playing speed scrabble! It is amazing how often the word f-a-r-t can come up in a game when playing with three boys!! Bummer moments were getting stung by jelly fish (Jacob & Ben), and a hurt arm from skim boarding (Ben). Today we get to make a visit to the orthopedist!! The biggest bummer by far was having to drive Rob to the airport on our way home yesterday. He is back in Wisconsin until next Wednesday. This week he is wrapping up summer at HR with a full time staff retreat on Wed and Thurs. Things will be a bit different on this trip home as he will be "batchin" it with Rick Masters since we have rented our home to the Volkmann family until June! Thanks for putting out the welcome mat Rick!

Too Much Homework! (by Eli)

Fouth grade is tough! I get too much homework! I am studying lattice and area in math, pirates in english language, native americans in social studies, and astronomy in science. I have to read one chapter of a book every night and write a summary. When I'm not doing homework I like to scooter around the block. I cannot wait until Friday when we go to the beach. I hope I don't get stung by a jellyfish like my grandpa did!

My mom said I have to write about one thing I like about South Carolina....WEEKENDS! Especially Fun Sunday. Fun Sunday is where our family gets together for a family meeting to discuss the week, then we pray about the upcoming week and then do something fun. Last week we went out for pizza.

I do not like sharing a room with Grace because she is so messy, but we do have a clean room sometimes! Miss you all!

From the Hallowed Halls!

Yesterday I was reminded of the true purpose of this southern adventure....PHD! Rob and I went to the USC library where we met a girl from church who works there as a librarian. She was gracious to give us a tutorial in researching at the library as well as some "tricks" on navigating a very complex system. Rob and I then went to a computer "catalog" to begin looking for a few books he could use to get started. I was lovingly dubbed his "research assistant" and thoroughly enjoyed the challenge of finding the books he needed among the stacks. This particular library has five levels underground, so I became quite familiar with the elevator and the fact that flip-flops are very hard to keep quiet! Rob seemed like a kid in a candy store, devouring such titles as "Identity, Culture and the Postmodern World", and "Models for Christian Higher Education"....hmmmm!

Today Rob is at the Institute for Freshman Transition, fulfilling his responsibilities there. Tonight we are off to Parent Orientation at the elementary school. It still seems so wierd to be a part of a new school. Things are much the same, but also much different. This week the lunch menu is Creole steak, Fish nuggets, Grits with Cheese, and Beef-a-Roni with collard greens. Needless to say our kids decided on cold lunch...where is their spirit of adventure???? Onward we go!