First bus day for Troy

Yesterday was the first day Troy took the bus.  He kept on saying that he wasn't sure he wanted to-that he would check it out first and let me know. There were so many kids, he just got swept into the bus  I couldn't see him through the window.  I guess he had no choice.  Ellie is so good with him, taking him by the hand and distracting him when he started feeling nervous.  When we were crossing the street, Troy asked "is uncle Milburn still going to be my teacher?".  Mathew perked up and said "Troy-do NOT call him uncle Milburn".

Mathew's friend Kai is now in 4th grade so he has a different time for lunch.  They really miss playing together so they try to make the most of their time on the bus and during the morning recess.  It sounds like at lunch Mathew is just shooting hoops on his own.

Mathew's birthday was Sunday.  We made a plants vs zombies cake.  I bought some action figures at the toy store and then Ellie supplemented by  making other characters with oven-bake clay.  Matt helped me make the fondant Saturday night.  the dough was so tough it broke my mixer.  Matt cut out chinese characters that said Mathew is 8.  It definitely did not look store bought but it was cool.  Mathew had said he wanted pistachio icecream.  The only pistachio smart and final had was this enormous bucket for $17.  I couldn't resist and bought it.  We will have icecream coming out of our ears! The Johnsons came over for dinner..they brought burgers and hot dogs to grill.  I had some iron on transfers so we made the boys "I love brains" shirts since they love plants vs zombies.  The boys have been here for the summer but will go back to LA this week.  The boys have really connected this summer, playing hide and seek, slip and slide etc.  I'm sad to see them leave.

Mathew got a new bike..it's almost the same size as Matt's.  It makes me nervous as he stretches so far to get to the pedals but I guess he'll grow into it.  He is so in love with it, everyday, he gets home and rushes to get on.  The only thing he'd asked for was a pitcher plant.  We found a nice one at home depot for 11 dollars and he loves it.  He is maturing so fast.  He is a complete joy to be around.  I got to spend one on one time with him while Ellie was at surf camp and Sophie was at tennis camp.  He has opened up so much and is so sweet with me.

Mathew said they had some Chinese quizes and he got 100% on writing his characters and has been helping others with theirs.  What a difference it has made to his confidence to be caught up in Chinese, he's doing great.