First day of 2nd Grade

Today was my first day of 2nd Grade at Battle Academy (battlerockets.com).

I woke up, got dressed, put on my new purple swoosh Nikes, posed for a picture and hopped in the car.

Mommy and daddy dropped me off at school. I gave a quick "I love you, I love you" to them and I was off on my way.

I had a great first day.

I was given a letter to complete to deliver to my teacher, Mrs. Steele. I had to fill in many blanks and here is what I had to say:

Mrs. Steele,

Hello. My name is Rigby. I am 6 1/2 years old. I have 1 sister. Some of my favorite things to do are play baseball and basketball.

My favorite food to eat is apples. My teacher last year was Mrs. Holden. In first grade, I liked workstations. The best thing I did this summer was go to the beach. I took a trip to the beach. It was fun.

In second grade I hope to learn anything. The one thing I am really nervous about is nothing. I really hope we get to learn about or do anything.

Your new friend,
Rigby

Daddy picked me up after school. Mommy went to Atlanta with Nana and Papa to see the Tom Petty concert. Daddy, Lucy and I went to my choice of restaurant, Chinese Buffet. I only had healthy foods like fruit and rice.

After dinner, Daddy took us to Walmart. I did not know he was taking me to get a prize for my first big day of 2nd grade. I picked out Madden 10 because it was $29 and cheaper than the new Madden 11, but Daddy told me we came for the new Madden 11 even though it cost more money. I was very excited and thanked him. Lucy got a new Hello Kitty game for her DS.

As Daddy was buying the game, I talked to Mommy on the iPhone and told her about my day.

I'm going to bed now. I won my first game on Madden 11, 33-24. I am really stoked.

Cub Scouts and my first badge earned!

I earned my Bobcat Badge last week and we had the awards ceremony at my school today. I learned the 8 things below.

I had to introduce myself in front of everyone - my name, school, grade and who my first grade teacher is.

I was unsure about Cub Scouts at first but I am really enjoying it now. There are almost 20 boys in my pack. Since I am in first grade I am in Tiger Cubs and will work on earning my Tiger Cub badge this year. Then I could go to Wolf, Bear, Webelos and into Boy Scouts as I get older.

To earn the Bobcat badge I had to complete these eight tracks

1. LEARN AND SAY THE CUB SCOUT PROMISE

"I ____(name)____ promise to do my best
To do my duty to God and my country,
To help other people, and
To obey the Law of the Pack."

2. SAY THE LAW OF THE PACK. TELL WHAT IT MEANS.

"The Cub Scout follows Akela.
The Cub Scout helps the pack go.
The pack helps the Cub Scout Grow.
The Cub Scout gives goodwill. "

3. TELL WHAT "WEBELOS" MEANS.

"WE'll BE LOyal Scouts"

4. SHOW THE CUB SCOUT SIGN. TELL WHAT IT MEANS.

5. SHOW THE CUB SCOUT HANDSHAKE. TELL WHAT IT MEANS.

6. SAY THE CUB SCOUT MOTTO.

The MOTTO is: "DO YOUR BEST. "

7. GIVE THE CUB SCOUT SALUTE. TELL WHAT IT MEANS.

8. With your parent or guardian, complete the exercises in the parent's guide, "How to Protect Your Children from Child Abuse".

trying new food

So besides the fact that I enjoy a tasty bottle of V-8 juice, I have started to venture to foods new to me. I like having a ham and cheese sandwich sometimes instead of peanut butter and jelly all the time.

Today, we went to the new Red Robin restaurant at the mall. Daddy ordered an onion ring tower and I ate two of them, onion and all. Daddy was very excited and was giving me high-fives in the restaurant.

Independent

My first month or so in kindergarten has been quite an experience. First, I enter the Battle Academy school building by myself - I do not want mommy and daddy following me in. I know 100s of places in there and know how to get there. I sometimes bring my own lunch, but I sometimes eat what they make at school when it is hot dogs, pizza, corn dogs or something like that.

When I enter the class each day, I unpack my backpack and get organized on my own. I have workstations I go to through the day in class. My teacher Ms. Henderson told mommy that I was a good leader and that I am making good choices. We have colors that tell us how our day goes each day. Purple is the best and I usually get that. I have got a green before, but I have not gotten a yellow or red.

Each night I have homework. Mommy (sometimes daddy) reads the instructions and I pretty much do it myself. I have also learned to read Lego instructions and have started building my own trucks and cars from the directions.

I am also a good big brother. Lucy looks up to me and I sometimes have to tell her about right and wrong. We are really good friends.

Tonight after watching Star Wars Clone Wars and Goosebumps with daddy, I went to the bathroom and took a shower by myself. I soaped my own body, shampooed my own hair, turned off the shower, dried off, got dressed and got ready for bed. (editor's note - the kid just turned five)

Scrappy!

After my first "Fall ball" baseball practice on Saturday morning, mommy, daddy, Lucy and I went to Finley Stadium for the Meet the Mocs football practice. Right when I got in the stadium I saw Scrappy. He was happy to see me and I got a big hug! It's almost football time!

I like tofu!

Mommy, Daddy, Lucy and I are in Chicago on vacation. You can read all about it on our family blog, graystation.blogspot.com

So we were in a restaurant in Evanston called Siam Pasta. I wanted to have noodles, but I tried the tofu instead. I had five pieces of fried tofu and dipped it in soy sauce. Daddy took video of me with his cell phone.

Party!

I had a fun weekend! On Saturday I had my gymnastics class at Tennessee Academy of Gymnastics. I have been going to it for several weeks now. My last class is next Saturday. I do hope I can go some more. Lucy could not go this time because she was coughing.

I signed up for Fall Ball at Hixson Youth Athletic Association and look forward to some more baseball.

I went to Eva's birthday party at a place called Sports Barn. She is 5. They had a big gym and we got to jump around on trampolines and build forts with big foam blocks. Eva was telling people that I was her boyfriend, but I said no.

It was just daddy and me at the party because mommy and Lucy were sick with fevers and coughs.

Later, when the big hand was on the 12 and the little hand was on the 4, we had birthday cupcakes. After we were done, I got my swimming shorts on and we went to the pool. Daddy put floats on my arms and I could float on the water. It was awesome. I did not know I could do that. I was jumping in the pool and daddy was throwing me up in the air.

Later, we got goodie bags. I got one for Lucy so she could enjoy it. The bags had suckers and balls and rings.

When we got home, mommy had made some homemade pizza. It was really good and I told her thanks.

Lucy is feeling better and mommy is sleeping. We are finishing off the weekend watching Wizard of Oz. I did not see what was so awesome about it at first, but I like it now that there is a witch and flying monkeys in it.

Swimming Lessons

I took my first swim lessons today. Mommy and daddy took me to Baylor School, and they have a big swimming pool room. I was not very sure about getting in a pool that big. I met my coach, Josh, and he told me that we were going to a side room where there was a small pool. I felt better.

Daddy helped take off my shirt and shoes and lifted me to the pool. After that, it was just me and Josh. Mommy, daddy and Lucy left the room. I think they were coloring.

We worked on a move called the torpedo, but I call it the tornado kick. I started off doing it with my head out of the water and then at the end I had my head in the water. We were also working on doing small flutter kicks without bending my knees too much.

Josh said I did a great job with putting my face in the water.

I started working on floating on my back. Josh put one hand under my back to help when I did kick with that.

And that is pretty much what we are working on right now. When I learn a little more next week, Josh is going to start teaching me to side breathe and then we start swimming with my arms.

Josh told mommy that I was great kid and tried everything he asked me to! When we went into the locker room, I told daddy that I wanted to come back again soon. I can't wait until next Tuesday.

Pancake Puffs

One of my favorite Saturday breakfast foods is Pancake Puffs. I see the commercial on PBS Sprout all the time. Mommy and daddy bought a Pancake Puff pan at a store in Pigeon Forge.

Daddy and Mommy make the Pancake Puffs with syrup and powdered sugar. I ate seven of them today with some bacon.

There are other things you can do as well. You can roll them in cinnamon sugar, chocolate brownie, put fancy whup cream in them, make birthday cake puffs when it is your birthday, pizza puffs and...and uh I think that's all.

Big Weekend

I had a great time this past weekend, mommy and daddy called it Memorial Day Weekend.

Daddy and I went to see Speed Racer at the movie place. "Slow down, Speed Racer." We saw a Star Wars cartoon preview and the Indian Jones (editor's note: that is how he says it) preview as well.

We went to Nana and Papas later and we played some. They got Mario Kart Wii and they let us take it home. I have already got first place a bunch of times. Mommy is okay at it, but she is getting better.

On Sunday, we went to the art show where Tobi-o-wan was at. I spent most of my time with Daddy sliding down a big hill on cardboard. We spent the dark time at Beth and Steve's and played more Wii Mario Kart. I beat Uncle Corey and Daddy a lot.

On Monday, we took a big boat to an island and went hiking. It was fun. We did not see any animals. We did get to go to the Aquarium and saw a whole lot of fish. I showed Lucy all over the place.

Mommy let me use her camera and I took some pictures of her, me and Lucy. Here they are:

Play Ball!

I am having a great time this spring playing baseball. It is Mother's Day weekend and all the moms took over the coaching duties on the field this morning. The daddies sat on the bleachers eating Krispy Kreme doughnuts

I think the pitching was better today as I had a couple hits that went into the air. and traveled toward third base. In the field, I am really starting to use my glove to scoop up the ball. I heard several other dads tell my daddy that I am really good at going after the ball.

During the past month, I have got two MVP awards, which gets me free ice cream from Dairy Queen!

Lucy is my biggest fan. She has been great watching me from the stands and being patient while I have been playing. She has a pink baseball glove and bat so she feels like more a part of the action.

I got my baseball picture and trading cards today after the game. Daddy and Mommy say that I look like a veteran power hitter.

My first baseball game!

I had my first game with the Giants at the Hixson Youth Athletic Association on Saturday! I have my own bat (14.5 oz, 26 inch Easton Stealth), glove, hat and shirt.

It was a great sunny morning. Mommy, Lucy, Tobi-o-wan and Corey came to the game. Daddy was at the Take Your Kids to Play Day event at Coolidge Park, something he has been organizing for a long time, since last year.

I had a great game and a lot of fun. I had three hits, two runs, and I got someone out at first base!

Choo Choo!

I went to the Tennessee Valley Railroad this morning!

I went with Mommy, Daddy, Aunt Mano, Papa, Lucy and cousins Joplin and Connor. We had a great time riding in the train. We went through a long dark tunnel and got to see the train engine turn around on a turn table.

We also got to run around and climb on trains and in train cars.



We finished up with lunch at Old McDonalds and played on the playground.

My first addiction

Me, a four-year-old said,

"I can't help it. I love it so much. I can't stop playing it."

I was on the Mocs basketball court!

Me and mommy and daddy and Lucy had a great family trip tonight. We started off at Mojo Burrito, my favorite place to have chips and cheese and Sprite.

After dinner we went to the Mocs game. I wore my Scrappy's Kids Club t-shirt so I could get on the basketball court before the game.

I stood down by the big train where the players run out. I stood on the side of the court and watched the team shoot basketballs. Some of the Sugar Mocs dance team members talked to me and asked me my name. I gave Scrappy a big hug too.

The team went back into the train and then the cheerleaders lined me and all the kids club members out on the basketball court so when the team came back they would run through us and give us high fives.

Big smoke came out of the train, all the people got really loud and the team came running out. It was great!

I found daddy and he took me back to our seats.

The game was really loud. There were lots of people there. I got to eat ice cream and I shared with Lucy.

UTC did not win and the bad team (Davidson) did win, 78-71. Daddy said it was because the refs were cheaters.

I am at home now and I figured out how to turn on the TV, the cable box and turn it to channel 1-2-8, which is PBS Sprout. I pushed the buttons real fast so it would change channels.

Brett Favre

I watched most of the Green Bay Packers game today with my Daddy. It was snowing at the football stadium, but not here. The Packers beat the bad team (Seattle).

Earlier today, I was at the zoo and I told my friends that Brett Favre was my favorite football player. He wears a green jersey and has a 4 on it.

Christmas Eve

On Christmas Eve, as we left Grammy and Pop Pop's house we went to look for snow, so we drove to the Smoky Mountains. When we got to the top of the world at Newfound Gap, we looked at all the big mountains. There wasn't any snow, but it was windy and cold. Mommy and Lucy got out for a little bit, but they got back in the car soon.



Daddy and I went for a quick hike on the Appalachian Trail. It was a little muddy and there were other people on the hiking trail too. We walked on some leaves and grass so we would not get our shoes so dirty.

I took a picture of Daddy at a sign and told him how to get in the picture. This was the first picture I took with Daddy's camera:

Rules

Mommy and Daddy made some rules with me like take care of family and listen to mommy and daddy, and I thought it would be a good idea to write them down.

I spoke the rules, daddy typed them up, printed them out and these are on my magnet board. We can always have more, but here are the ones for now.

GrayStation Rules

1. Take care of family
2. Listen to mommy and daddy (or other grown ups when mommy and daddy are not around)
3. Always tell the truth
4. Don’t scratch CDs
5. Never too busy for hugs
6. Say please and thank you
7. Don’t shut doors during playtime
8. Say yes sir/yes ma’am and no sir/no ma’am
9. Don’t take ornaments off the Christmas tree
10. Hold hands in the streets and parking lots
11. No knocking on glass so it won’t break
12. No jumping on bed or couch so you won’t bump your head
13. Sleep in your own bed

Saturday

I woke Daddy up at 10 this morning so he would get up and take me to the Discovery Museum. Mommmy had taken Lucy out shopping with Nana.

Daddy and I made our way downtown and parked and walked to the Museum. I played on the indoor playground and in the water play area for a long time.

Later, I went to discover dinosaur bones on the computer and then in the sand pit. We went upstairs and went throw the snow maze as well.

We got hungry and decided to go to Mudpie. I got a pizza and Daddy got a Cuban sandwich. I also got Sprite.

Mommy, Lucy and Nana stopped by to say hello.

Daddy and I then went to Smotherman's toy museum. We played for a little but and then went to Clumpies for ice cream.

We went home for a while and I took a nap. Mommy and Lucy came home and rested too.

At night time, we took Lucy to Uncle Steve and Aunt Beth's house so we could go watch a movie on the big IMAX screen, The Polar Express in 3D. I did not leave the edge of my seat. Before the movie I had popcorn, M&Ms and Sprite.

Choice

Today I was given a choice.

Go play with my soccer team or go to my room and not play.

You see, I did not want to go to play soccer because I wanted a lazy Saturday. Mommy and daddy were very serious about me getting involved with sports and activity and being a part of a team.

So after many minutes and told Daddy I had made my choice - I wanted to go play soccer! I am glad I did. We had a lot of fun and scored a lot of goals!