Monday, July 29, 2013

It is way too quiet around here.

This morning was a little surreal. We were well prepared, so it wasn't hectic. The supplies have been ready for weeks. The clothes were laid out.

But it didn't fully register until I saw this:


My big girl suddenly seemed too grown up. Yes, I am SO ready for her to join the traditional ranks of fellow students. But I have been so accustomed to supervising every tiny aspect of her life for the past 7 years, it was very difficult to send her into the unknown.

 We had attended all the recommended tours, meet and greets, and Q&As. She found her classroom quite easily.


Then we headed outside to where the kids line up to enter the school with their classes.


She already loves her teacher, and she found some familiar faces from her class church.


I bent down for a hug, and said, "Have a great day!" All I got was a nonchalant, "Okay, bye mom." No surprise there. This girl has been socially independent since day one. 

Sigh. 

I hid amid the crowd of parents and watched her for a few minutes. Waiting to make sure her bravado wasn't just a mask that would crumble after I left. Nope. No crumbling mask. Just a big girl waiting patiently in line to start her first day of school.

Big sigh.

Mason is in afternoon kindergarten, so I wisely told  him to wait until after we had eaten lunch to get his uniform on.


He seemed excited, but I don't think he really knew what he was in for. He just knew that he had special clothes that had been purchased for this occasion, so it must be a big deal. 

He was very anxious to get to his classroom.


There is only one PM kindergarten class, so it was a much quieter drop-off situation. But it was still a bit of a mad house. All the kids had their parents with them, helping them to find their desks and organizing their supplies.


Mason and a few other kids couldn't find their names, so there was a last-minute rush to bring in more desks. Mason ended up sitting right in front of his teacher's desk. I hope that ends up being a good thing. I watched as he listened intently for his name to be called during attendance, and when he heard his name he raised his hand and said loud and clear, "Mason!"


I sure hope everything goes okay. It's a good thing he is only there for three hours...I can't imagine keeping him on task for half of that amount of time. His teacher has her work cut out for her.

I returned home to a quiet house--Chad works evenings still, and he had already put Lincoln down for his nap. It is very weird. I don't know what to do with myself. I will definitely have to make myself to-do lists for each day or I will waste the hours away. But I'm not worried--I will not have any trouble finding plenty to do.

Today, though, I am just watching the clock. Thinking that right about now they'll be getting out of school and heading to the gym for the soccer program we signed up for. I hope they remember where to go. But the school has amazing staff, so I'm not too worried. I feel great about our school choice, and I can't wait to hear how the first day went!

Family Nights

Scriptures study is not always easy for the little ones. Lincoln thinks it's play time and Mason is easily distracted.



Bree is usually a good sport. Usually...


But we try our best, and someday we will look back on these memories with fondness.

Friday, July 26, 2013

Best $20 ever spent


Last summer we bought this little beauty, and we set it up on our tiny lawn in Globe.


It is perfectly at home in our new yard. The kids have spent countless hours "swimming" outside this summer, in an effort to stay cool in the 100-115 degree weather. After Lincoln goes down for his nap in the afternoons, I send the kids out there, after putting up the QuickShade so they don't burn to a crisp. And guess what else we have in this house...a sliding glass door! I can sit at our kitchen table and watch them while they swim.


I love it. And I think they do too.


Sunday, July 21, 2013

Meet the teacher

The time is almost here--time to send two thirds of my offspring to an actual school! To be primarily educated by someone else! I can't wait! And neither can Bree. Mason is mostly indifferent. (The most excitement we've seen from him is when I told him we'd buy him Legos if he learned to tie his shoes before school started.) But visiting the new school to meet the teachers was a pretty fun adventure.

Bree met her teacher, who is awesome in a no-nonsense way. I can already tell she expects a lot from her kids, which I love.


Bree was given tasks to complete before she could leave. Stock her desk with the school supplies we'd brought.


Get her picture taken. However, she said she didn't want to have her picture taken with the monkey, which totally embarrassed me. "I'm just not into monkeys," she says. Spare me. Just stand there and smile. She eventually did pose for her picture, thank goodness. Mason didn't need any encouragement.


Bree suggested a title for one of the bulletin boards, wrote it down on a card, and added to the suggestion box.


Then she "checked out" a book from Mrs. M's collection. Dad helped her write down the book's info on a card to leave with the teacher.


We met Mason's teacher, who was very sweet, and a little quiet. I couldn't get a good read on her, but I hope to heaven that she is patient with our very active and distractable boy.


Mason found his desk in the back corner. I wonder if that seating arrangement will last...


And finally, after Mason had asked about a hundred times if we could go back to the gym to get a muffin, we obliged him.


We had spent time visiting the info booths around the room, signing the kids up for after-school soccer, using the charcoal at the art table, and stacking cups "speed stacking" style. But the muffins were cool too. And Bree was excited to sit in the place where she'll be eating lunch every day with her new friends.


Lincoln liked the school too. He was very impressed that the kids will focus on the seven habits of highly effective people during their years there. And he loves the fact that patriotism plays a huge role--the kids learn about the constitution, the founding fathers, and everything this country was created to stand for. And the chocolate muffins were delicious.


American Leadership Academy, Meet the Teacher Day
July 20th, 2013

Sunday, July 7, 2013

Nice to meet you


Bree has been dying to meet her cousin Corban ever since he was born. We finally worked out a time when the new little family was free, and Corban would cooperate and allow his picture to be taken. I came armed with my camera, hoping to get some more adorable newborn shots.

Bree was smitten.


Corban was adorable, if not entirely cooperative with the clever poses I had envisioned (when I lay him on his stomach, he kept trying to crawl around).



The new family was blissful and sweet.



And my kids could not believe how tiny and loveable their new little cousin is.


Welcome to the family, Corban.

Tuesday, July 2, 2013

My NEPHEW has arrived!

Adam's baby was born yesterday--I am officially an aunt! Heather had a long couple of days of labor, and we are so proud of her. She and my adorable nephew are doing great! It was so cool to get to hold him when he was only several hours old. We are all extremely happy he is here safe and sound.

Corban James
8 lbs 1 oz
22 inches
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