Ryan finished up his first week in the fourth grade and I completed my first week at the new job. I'm happy to report that Ryan and I have only good things to report so far.

Ryan spent his first week back catching up with friends he hadn't seen all summer. His teacher didn't waste any time handing out homework and much of the week was spent reviewing math operations. Ryan has enjoyed the silent reading sessions in class more than anything else.

We're lousy parents. Actually maybe we're just guilt ridden parents. We have not thrown one of those spectacular birthday party's for either of our boys. No ponies, no clowns, not even a trip to Chuck-e-Cheeses. But this year things changed. Amy was on the ball and reserved a couple of lanes at the local bowling alley. I hit the local party supply store for goody bags, and by God we threw a real kids birthday party. It took about four frames before the kids became more interested in tag than actually throwing those eurethane spheres down the lanes.