Kindergarten = Freedom

Day 4 of Kindergarten has come and gone. Today on the way home I asked Adam and Walt what they had for lunch. Adam, as he did the last three days, led out with chocolate milk, then said that he also had a hot dog. Walt shared that he had white milk, and a peanut butter sandwich. Walt then told Adam that he should probably just drink chocolate milk once a week, that it would better if he primarily drank white milk since that was better for his body. Adam responded by saying that he drinks white milk all the time at home and can do whatever he wants in kindergarten. It was silent for a moment, and then Walt said, "Well maybe you can have it two times a week."

Again, silence for a moment, and then Adam said, "Did you know that we have to do this (go to kindergarten) until summer starts?

After that they made farting noises with their hands, which made the argument go away, and which, by the way, Micah absolutely loved.

Kraft Theology (Now 35% Cheesier)

It's almost time for back to school, and I'm sure that will mean new material and more laughs.  But until the commute resumes, we have a special post from Meredith Jubilee and Madeline Jane's mommy, who obviously drew the short straw today and hosted Walt and Patrick in addition to her own.

Background: Neighborhood Church is having its first ever baptism tonight at the same pool in which most of the Neighborhood Church kids have had swim lessons.  This has resulted in many discussions among the adults about how to explain baptism to five-year olds and, more importantly, how to explain that they don't get to swim.  We're still not sure about either, but the kids have obviously made great strides with the theology . . .  in spite of their parents.

According to Kate, here's how it went down:

Mer:  Mom, when are Walt and Patrick leaving?

Mom:  In about an hour.  But then we'll see them again at the baptism tonight.

Walt:  What's a Baptist?

Mer:  I'll tell you Walt.

Walt:  No, wait.  I already know.  It's when they hold you under to see how long you can hold your breath. My mom told me.

Mer:  No, Walt.  That's not it.  It's when you're dipped in the pool to show that you love God, and then you eat mac 'n cheese.

More on Money

Walt: Hey Adam, how many dollars do you have?

Adam: None. I mean, one.

Walt: I have 64.

Adam: I know. You have a lot of dollars. It would be nice for you to share.

Walt: With God?

Adam: No, with me! God doesn't buy things.

Keeping up with the Joneses

Playdate edition. They were knee-deep in Legos and Star Wars toys...

Adam: Stop buying stuff! You keep buying stuff and it makes me want to keep buying stuff!

Walt: I can buy stuff when I want to!

Adam: But I can’t buy stuff until I get money. It takes a long time!

Walt: You know how I buy stuff? I save up my money.

Adam: I want to buy a Vulture Droid.

Walt: I don’t think you can get one. I bought mine in Nashville.

A: Do you want to buy my Bakugan?

W: No.

A: Well, I don’t want you to buy any more.

They moved on pretty quickly to racing the actual Tank Droid and the Lego Tank Droid. But I'm sure we haven't heard the end of this conversation! Did I just hear Robert begging for the new i-phone?

Know It All

Another swim lesson edition:

I wish I'd caught the beginning of this conversation, but the ending was classic...

Adam: Walt, remember what Ginger said. You don't know everything.

Walt: I know. And the first thing that I don't know is how a snake moves when it doesn't have feet. I think because it slithers.

(I guess he does know everything!)

Size Matters

Swim Lesson Edition:

Walt: Look! We're in order: small, medium and big (pointing to himself)!

Adam: Well, I'm almost the biggest.

Walt: Micah is small, you are medium, I'm large, and your mom is extra-large!

Me: (burst out laughing)

Adam: Mom, why are you laughing?

Me: Well, it's just not really polite to call someone "extra-large!"

Walt: But you're like a big kid!

Adam: She's not a kid. She's a grown-up. Mom, are you a kid or a grown-up?

Me: I'm a grown-up.

Walt: But she's a kid-grown-up. Like my mom's a kid.

Adam: Are you a kid-grown-up.

Me: Umm...Sure.

Walt: She's a kid, 'cause she has parents. But she's a grown-up too. (smart kid, that one!)

Me: Yes, I guess you're correct.

Adam: Her parents live in Kentucky.

Micah: TUCKY!!

Adam: They are Pa and La La.

Micah: PAAA!! LALA!!!

Walt: We're about to turn on Poplar.

Micah: POPLAAAA!

Then I dropped off one very excited swimmer (Walt) and one very scared and nervous swimmer (Adam). Hope the week gets easier!

WE'RE KINDERGARTENERS!!

Well, it's the last day of Pre-K CLUE...Micah and I waited patiently by the school door while Micah entertained all of the other expectant parents as he practiced walking up and down the steps. Then the sound of scurrying, excited children grew louder and louder as the class lined up on the other side of the door. Mrs. Merritt opened the door, thanked the parents for giving her the best class she has ever taught, then dismissed "Meredith...Adam...Walt....!"

"WE'RE KINDERGARTENERS!!!!!!" Adam yelled at the top of his lungs as he bounded down the stairs. The boys said goodbye to various friends, Doran, Aaron, and CJ.

As we loaded up the car, I noticed the medallions they each had around their necks. "Medals of Courage" from the Wizard of Oz, because they will be "brave when we go to Kindergarten."

Walt: You know Adam, we probably won't ever see these kids again.

Adam: Yeah, I know.

Walt: We'll see CJ, 'cause he's going to Peabody with us. And Meredith. But we won't see the others. (Glad to see they are adjusting okay to this milestone! Geez! Someone hand me a kleenex!)

Adam: Why is it called Kindergarten? That sounds like something that should be outside.

Walt: Mandy, have any astronauts been to Pluto? I bet it would take astronauts three years to get to Pluto...

And so went the rest of the drive home. But I did manage to snap a pic of the little guys on their last day of Pre-K/first (unofficial) day as Kindergarteners:

Soon, they will be trading in their Downtown Elementary Red polos for Peabody Elementary Blue polos. We will no longer be carpooling them to Pre-K, but walking them to our neighborhood school just a few blocks away. But I'm sure we'll continue to write about the adventures of these two. How else will Mrs. Merritt keep up with the little rascals (at least until they are old enough for facebook accounts!)