Parent Teacher Conference's and Report Cards

It's that time already. Ethan made all A's and B's with the exception of an 82%C in French Spelling. Aiden all A's and B's which put him on honor roll. As always I am quite present at the Boy's school. Both have great teachers. Ethan's teachers are great, and seem to understand him well. Both are happy with Ethan as a student especially since it is a rare day that he does not have an A in conduct. Aiden's teachers are the same teachers Ethan had last year. I was happy with them then, and I continue to be. I do get notes sometimes saying "Aiden is a very interesting little boy" primarily from the French teacher, not sure what that's about but it is humorous. Aly of course doesn't get grades yet but her parent teacher conference went something like this... Ms.Sonier "Do you have any concerns or question s?" Me, "No, not really." Ms. Sonier "Good, you have no need to be." Me, "Is Aly on track academically, and socially?" Ms. Sonier "She excels at everything we do and I love teaching her!" ... Of course we small talked a little but that was the meat of it. I drop in as often as possible to watch lessons at Aly's school as well, and she is engaged, happy, and challenged. So the generality here is they are all doing well!

Finally...Photopass pictures from our Disney Trip

Our first photo entering Disney World, about an hour after the kids figuring out where we were going!

What 4 year old little girl doesn't love Princess'?

Aly's first look at herself after being "made over".

Aly is 5!

Aly, a.k.a Sweetie!

Aly was our smallest baby. Weighing in at 7lbs 13oz.

From the moment she was conceived she was the "little sister."

Each of the boys definitely had their own personalities and quirks from the day they were born, but as infants they were alot alike.  When Aly came along, it was a totally different experience.  Sleep wise the boys never would sleep in their cribs, Aly craved hers.  Nighttime was not the boys favorite time to sleep, from 6 weeks Aly slept all night.  So while it seemed that Aly was the "easier" baby, we soon learned that it wasn't a matter of easier...but different! From the time she started talking we realized that with our boys the "hard work" was physical, it was chasing after them, wrestling with them, loving on them, keeping them from climbing the walls...with Aly the "hard work" was and is emotional.  Everything is up for discussion or debate.  We must analyze every conversation and interaction, and then we must talk about it at least three times!

Being the 3rd she's always been trying to catch up with what the other two are doing.  There has never been a time when Aly has understood the practical limits that should apply because of her chronological age.

At age Two and a Half she began Taekwondo, because she decided it was time for her to join class with her brothers. The instructor told her only if she could focus and keep up, that was never a problem.  Between age 2 and 3 she climbed her first rock wall, went down adult size waterslides without thinking twice about it, flew about 25 feet in the air attached to a bungee harness.

At age 3 she fell in love with her baby dolls, dressing them caring for them etc.  From 18 months or so she has tried to "Mommy" Ethan and Aiden (much to their dismay)!

At age 4 she started school at the Academy of the Sacred Heart.  The all girl environment and the small classes have only nurtured her strong will, and soft heart!  She is creative, funny, and articulate. She is extremely loving.  Often times getting your attention from across the room just to say "I Love You".

People who don't see us alot ask so is she a girly girl or a tomboy.  There is no clear cut answer to this.  She loves pink and princess' and truly believes she is a princess, but she can hold her own with her brothers, in taekwondo and now on the soccer field.  She is aggressive in a competitive situation, but also highly empathetic and compassionate.  The boys like most brothers are protective of her, but at times just want her to be quiet!    Aloysia means great warrior, which besides the familial connection we picked her name for it's meaning.  It is important for women to be strong, and resilient.  It is a blessing as a Mom to get the privilege to watch two sweet boys grow into young men, as is it to experience a precious little girl grow into a young woman.  

So what are those Theobald's up to?

I think we have finally settled into the school year.  Rhett has been at his new job for about a month, and every day is different and new.  He seems to like it alot, and we are enjoying the benefits of a 7-4pm schedule.  This semester I am carrying 17hours at the University. We knew it would be alot, and it borders on being too much but alot of the classes I needed were only offered one time a year.  Luckily, a few of our friends have pitched in and are helping shuttle the kids from school.  I am working for the University still teaching about one class a week, but I ve also been up to something new.  I applied last year for the Americorp program, for those that don't know what it is...it is basically a domestic peace corp.  In exchange for a very small living allowance, and an education award at the end of your year you commit to a certain number of community service hours ( I committed to 900 hours for the year).  The University has an Americorp team  and after a slightly lengthy interview process I was chosen to be a part of it.   Our service year began Sept. 15th. So far I have worked with Habitat for Humanity, the Senior Olympics, Disaster cleanup, EarthShare Community Shared Agriculture and twice a week I tutor kids that live in the Housing Projects.  I am of course the oldest member of the UL team, but I have to say I really enjoy it and the other team members.  When we went to EarthShare, I took Ethan with me. He enjoyed pulling weeds, looking for bugs and I think may have even learned something about gardening. I look forward to taking all of the kids with me sporadically throughout the year, and am excited about what is to come!  I find it interesting that we are prohibited from doing anything that involves fundraising, political campaigning, or trying to get legislation created or passed..what an interesting concept,  making a difference in the community without involving money or politics!

Ethan and Aiden are settled in at school, and looking forward to starting Taekwondo again (we took a two month break while we got settled into school). Aly is enjoying school and is playing soccer for her school team.  We are all healthy, happy, and busy.

Rhett and the Boys are headed to their first scouting campout this weekend and all are excited. Aly and I will be having a girls weekend. Next weekend we are headed to Mississippi for a wedding, it will be great to see family!

We all enjoyed our 4 day break in early September, and look forward to the next time we get a chance to do that...not sure when that will be!