The Magic of Friendship

I wanted to give a little update on how school is going for the boys. So far, they seem to love this school year. I believe the teachers are still getting the boys' classes settled into routines, so we haven't seen any homework yet, which is nice. Both of the boys love recess and P.E. the best, which is nothing new. Landon's enjoying the new freedom and responsibility that come with being in 3rd grade. Blake really enjoys the days I allow him to buy lunch in the cafeteria. He loves getting to choose, all by himself, what he is going to eat.

Landon is as happy as can be in 3rd grade. We are really fortunate that Landon has his best friend in his class again for the third year in a row. Landon and Sam are two peas in a pod. It's like they seem to just be in their own little world when they're together. This is a picture of Landon and Sam on a field trip last year.

Blake is thriving in kindergarten. He has a new "best buddy" everyday, as he calls his friends. He cannot seem to get enough of meeting all these new friends. Below is a picture of Blake and his buddy, Charlie, at the Fathers and Sons campout this year. When I see my kids this happy, it just makes my heart smile. I am so glad that they have good friends.

There's a magic to friendship, especially friendships we have in early childhood. I believe that friendship is one of God's greatest gifts to us. Nothing makes a day sweeter than a good friend to share it with. The most ordinary, mundane situations become remarkably more interesting and significantly more fun with friends.

I love this song by the White Stripes, or maybe you've heard it covered by Jack Johnson:

We're Going to be Friends

Fall is here, hear the yell

back to school, ring the bell

brand new shoes, walking blues

climb the fence, books, and pens

I can tell that we're going to be friends

Walk with me, Suzy Lee

through the park and by the tree

we will rest upon the ground

and look at all the bugs we found

then safely walk to school

without a sound

Well here we are, no one else

we walked to school all by ourselves

there's dirt on our uniforms

from chasing all the ants and worms

we clean up and now its time to learn

Numbers, letters, learn to spell

Nouns, and books, and show and tell
at playtime we will throw the ball
back to class, through the hall

teacher marks our height
against the wall

And we don't notice any time pass

we don't notice anything

we sit side by side in every class

teacher thinks that I sound funny

but she likes the way you sing

Tonight I'll dream while I'm in bed

when silly thoughts go through my head

about the bugs and alphabet

and when I wake tomorrow I'll bet

that you and I will walk together again

cause I can tell that we're going to be friends

Aren't we all thankful for friends? I'm so grateful my boys have chosen good friends that build them up and make them feel good. I hope they will continue to choose good friends as the years go by.

And I have to say, my life is so much sweeter with my best friend! I love you, Jeff.