Clone Talk

Yesterday we went to lunch with Clay at his school. He didn't know we were coming and the look on his little face when he saw us was worth a million bucks! We also found out some new information while we were there. We had thought that since Pattie's birthday was September 1, she missed the school age cut-off by one day and would have to wait until she was almost 6 to start school, like Clay did. Clay's principal told us that the regulation says, "On or before September 1" so she can actually start the year she turns 5; a whole year earlier than we thought!!

I'm not really sure how I feel about this. I have no doubt she will be ready for school by then, with two older brothers who already read to her and teach her things. I'm just not sure I will be ready. After all, I really enjoy our special one on one time together every week. I guess I've got two more years to get used to the idea...instead of the three years I thought I had...

On the other hand, that means that I will be able to put my name in for subbing full time. And since I have a good reputation and previous experience at some of our schools, I may even get some long term stuff! So far the biggest down side is that Clay will still be in college (senior year) when Pattie starts as a freshman so we will have double tuitions to pay. Hopefully their education IRAs grow like crazy over the next 10-15 years!!
Jayme was particularly happy that Clay will be a senior in high school when Pattie is a freshman. He said, "Good! Clay can keep all the boys away from her!" Sure, honey, yeah, absolutely...good luck with that.

Since this post has been mostly about Clay and Pattie, here are some Raley things to round out the clone talk today. Raley is trying to decide between being a Park Ranger and a Paleontologist when he grows up. We think he can do both and he is considering that aspect of it too. I love how matter-of-factly he says things that were wild theories even just a few years ago. For example, the other night we were watching the new series Life on the Discovery Channel. The topic was "Reptiles and Amphibians" and we enjoyed it very much. EVERYONE should watch this series. It is every bit as good as the Planet Earth series a couple years ago.

Anyhoo, on Sunday we went for a hike at Tyler State Park and as we are walking around the lake there he says, "I wonder why the show was 'Repltiles and Amphibians' when reptiles are also so similar to birds?"
Stunned silence as his Dad and I look at each other a minute...
"Uhhhhhhhh, well, sweetie, you know, not everyone believes that. It's still a fairly new theory and what most people think is that reptiles and amphibians are very closely related so I guess they went with that instead."

It seemed to be a good enough reason for him and the next topic of comversation began when Clay found a stick he liked the shape of and asked what kind of gun it most resembled. (I won that one by saying it was a pistol-grip shotgun. It was adorable how he kept trying to say it.)