Short Bus, Long Bus

The boys started special day class 5 days a week for 2.5hr. After much agony we decide the best choice for the whole family was for the boys to take the bus. Let's just say the first day there was lots of tears from both mom and boys. (the other kids are super jealous). My favorite part of the whole thing is in the afternoon instead of the short bus they ride home in the big long bus. Just my two little peanuts, no other kids in that huge bus!! Makes me laugh. The drive blasts wheels on the bus for them and they sing the whole way home, thank God for awesome bus drivers who love my boys. #preemiepower #lifewith6kids #25weekers

First day of school

#‎preemiepower‬  Those quarter-size backpacks are too much!

Right On, Developmentally

Look at that, right as they're turning three they are doing exactly what 3-year-olds are supposed to do. Classic picture of horizontal building. Going vertical comes at a later developmental stage, Lynn tells me, as she rattles of names like Piaget and Gesell. Of course, there are other areas where they're still a bit behind.

Twins Birthday Party

And guess who arrived just in time, by train, from Kansas City, for this momentous occasion? Papa Bill! And, arriving from Nipomo, the cousins! All the photos: http://jf2.com/150207/

AJ: What?! Tata Rara is moving?!

Yes, AJ, that's right.

It's Saturday morning almost 8am. And, instead of the hustle and bustle of rounding everyone up for our traditional Saturday McLintocks breakfast with Robob, I'm sitting here writing this post.

You see, Papa Robob, Founder of the Compound, has moved to a senior center very near Lynn's sister's home. He and the moving van left yesterday.

It's the end of an era.

Hard to believe it was that long ago (2007) when Robob,  Lynn, and Tracy thought they'd give house hunting one more shot. Following a couple major medical issues, Robob (and the girls) had been looking for some kind of property where we could all bunk up together, but to no avail. That Sunday was to be the last ditch effort at hunting down a suitable place (and we'd switch to remodeling efforts at our place in Nipomo). Et voila! Here we are, nearly eight years later and 7.5 more great grandkids for Robob (there were but two great grandkids, Sam and Serafina, when we all moved here in 2007).

It's been a heckuva ride! And for that we all will be eternally grateful. Actually, the ride's not over. The Compound remains intact, albeit one man down. It'll just take a little more effort to get us all together again from time to time. Note the CompoundLiving.com silhouette logo (upper right): Robob is now depicted as a photo on the wall, and a cradle has been added in anticipation of the Spring baby.

For Robob and his new nearby family, we wish all a great run at the next phase of their lives.

To recap our fun over the years, here's a glimpse at Robob's shenanigans since he opened the Compound in 2007:

Robob - Kizoa Video Maker

Papa Bill's Preschool Celebrates 40 Years!

In 1975, Papa Bill (Jamie's Dad) started a preschool at the Village United Presbyterian Church in Prairie Village, KS. They're celebrating their 40th Anniversary this year! And look who ended up headlining their newsletter for the month - Papa Bill.

The picture was taken at Tracy and Matt's wedding where Dad officiated in his "Robe of Many Colors". My sister made that robe for Dad way back when for his use at the Village Church. As you might imagine, it was a big hit with the adults as much as with the kids! People who knew him well would request that he wear that robe when asked to officiate a wedding, funeral, etc. He and the robe are both long retired now, and both are doing well I'm happy to report.

And note that face in the upper left corner of the photo. That's Lynn! And as chance would have it, it's appropriate that she would end up in this photo in this newsletter because she began her teaching career (almost 40 years ago!) teaching at this very preschool. To this day, she speaks very highly of that experience and of the High Scope curriculum that they were using then and continue to use today. It's one of the feathers in her cap that she helped get this preschool going as well.

Click here for the 2-page article in their newsletter.

Elephant Seals

Tracy got a hankerin' for a road trip up to see the elephant seals, and so that's what we did! The drive is over an hour one way, but has always been well worth it. Today was no exception. The behemoths were fighting and girl chasing, moms were birthing and nursing, you name it.

All the photos and links: http://JF2.com/150110b/

Breakfast at McLintock's

The kitchen remodel kicked off this tradition. And ever since, Papa Robob has led the charge every Saturday morning to McLintock's in the Village for breakfast. Mainly for the Bloody Marias, but they also have the best eggs and bacon around. Cups of whipped cream for the kids is a crowd pleaser, too! Sometimes there's a couple people tag along, sometimes it's the entire Compound like this morning, and on rarer occasions we'll have others join us as well. A sub-tradition for this breakfast trip is the Rooster Hunt. Papa Jamie will take whatever bigs want to go on a rooster hunt between the time we order and the time the food arrives. That's just about enough time to make a round-trip to the creek side of the Arroyo Grande Village where the roosters hang out. The roosters have their own website! Today it was just Papa Jamie and AJ on the Rooster Hunt.

All the photos and links are here: http://JF2.com/150110/

Christmas at the Compound - Really!

The "Foster Christmas" was really held at the Compound, albeit on New Year's Day. A sampling of the pics are below; all the pics are here: http://JF2.com/150101

Lift Off!

All nine of Robob's great grandkids
on Lynn's branch of the tree, plus one on the way!

Christmas at the Compound

Except...  On Christmas Day we were at Shaver Lake this year...

All the photos:
Christmas Eve Eve
Christmas Eve
Christmas Day

Samples:

Jamie and Lynn's Christmas Letter

If you can stand these Christmas newsletter things, here you go! Download PDF.

      

A Christmas Story at SLO Little Theatre

A Christmas Story
December 6-21, 2014
Produced by  SLO Little Theatre
Role: Helen

Helen is a bit of a child prodigy with a bit of attitude to go with it. OK, maybe a lot of attitude. Here's a review of the show: "A Sparkling Gift".

See a link to the photobook at the bottom of this page.

Just below is a photobook built on Shutterfly. You can click through and order a copy for yourself. If you watch for coupons and specials, you should be able to get it at $35 or less. I paid $31 out the door. All the money goes to Shutterfly (I take no cut). Enjoy!

Click here to view this photo book larger

Photo books are the perfect gift for any occasion.

Back to Theatrics.

The Great Pumpkin Roll of 2014

The Nipomo cousins and our friends from "upstairs" (up the hill) joined us for this 6th annual rolling of the pumpkins! All the photos: http://JF2.com/141129/

Thanksgiving Day 2014

It was just "usins" for Thanksgiving dinner today. The four Bigs paired up with adults to help with every part of the meal. And by golly if we didn't sit down to eat within 15 minutes of the appointed hour! Lynn and I visited Trevor and Jen this morning, too. We introverts give thanks for a wonderful day of "just us" once in a while.

Sam and Matt did the prime rib. Serafina, Matteo, Tracy, and Lynn seemed to be all over the place with Grandma's rolls, rainbow jello, potatoes, etc. And AJ and Jamie did the olive penguins. It was quite a day...

All the photos are here.