First day of School 2013

The first day of school has come and gone. On that first day I sent away these cuties:

I was left with these two at home. I wish that I could have gotten a better picture of Henry, but he wasn't happy that James was pulling on him. Henry would have rather been crawling around than sitting on the couch for a photo.

Henry still takes naps (thank heavens) so while he took a nap this is what James and I did:

Katherine on her first day of Kindergarten!

 Jacob 2nd grade.

Mariah--4th grade

Wyatt--7th grade and Bethany 5th grade

Amanda is a senior!! Wow, I can't believe that.

So some may wonder how I can get all these kids to school....simple: I make them ride the bus. I don't like the traffic that occurs around the schools at the start of the day and the end of the day, so I simplify my life and let (make) them ride the bus. I mean how else can I do it when every school it starting at the same time and I have 4 different schools? So I have Amanda at the high school and she actually gets to drive because of early morning seminary. Wyatt is at the Middle school. And then I have these two at another school:

 And these two go to the same school:

 So other than Wyatt and Amanda this year, everyone has a buddy at their school. It works out nice....until it comes to parent teacher conferences!


These are just some cute expressions that James had as I was taking pictures that morning. He is such a ham!!

First Day of school 2012

 So I have been looking forward to this day for a long time.....well, I guess more so in the last few weeks, as my kids have gotten tired of playing nicely together and needed more structure than I could provide. I am not a morning person, but this year will be a little easier as Amanda is able to drive herself to early morning seminary. The other children ride the bus and that means that they have to be ready by 7 AM. I know I could give myself some extra sleep by driving the children to school, but I have decided that it isn't worth it to try and get the youngest ones up and ready so we can all go and then the hassle of the traffic around the schools at that time......besides I have 4 different schools this year! As the kids were getting ready for school this year I got the camera out and snapped those typical pictures but this is the one that I got the most kick out of. All of my kids needed new tennis shoes before school started. I got lucky because they also needed pe shoes too. 5 kids off to school times 2 pairs a piece.......that is a budget nightmare. Thankfully KMart also had a sale about the time of buy one get one half off. My lifesaver! Although I wish it had been a buy one get one free sale. So each of the children were able to pick their own shoes and this is what we got:

I loved the fact that they were all so brightly colored and brand new.

I do take pictures of the kids individually, but rather than bore you with all of those I will just post one of all the kids (minus Amanda who had to leave for seminary before I could remember to get this one):

From left to right we have Jacob 1st grade, Mariah 3rd grade, Bethany 4th grade and Wyatt 6th. Of course James isn't in school, but he was up and wanted to be in on the action as well. Some may be asking where Katherine is:   she slept through this entire process and I let her as she didn't have anywhere special to be!

And just so Amand isn't left out, here she is ready for her junior year of high school!

So the first day was mostly uncomplicated for the kids. They arrived home from school and as typically happens all the homework falls on my shoulders because of the information updates that you have to do. They want to know every phone number in the book in case of emergency. Each child had the same form to varying degrees and each one had about 6 papers that needed to be filled out and signed. Try doing that five times over! Next year it will be worse as I have Katherine starting kindergarten!

The only funny story I have about today is also embarassing for Amanda. Yesterday was the first day she drove herself to seminary and then to school. She calls me from the school about the time she should have been pulling into the driveway, and she was upset. I asked what the problem was. She told me that she left the lights on the whole day and the car wouldn't start. She asked if I would come and jump start the car. Thankfully, this is something that Gabe has taught me how to do and I KNOW how to do it. So I told her I would. As I was mentally preparing a list of what would have to happen so I could do that, she told me that one of the teachers had some cables and would help her out. Great! That saved me a trip to the school. Then when she told Gabe about this, he reminded me and informed her that she already had the jumper cables in the trunk! I had totally forgotten that she did. All in all, she is okay other than her bruised ego and it could have been much, MUCH worse right??

So we are off and running with all our school activites and homework!

Wyatt's new face

Thanks to my awesome neighbor I was able to do something that I don't often get to do. I went to Wyatt's school and was able to help him in art class. Every year the 5th graders get to make a mask. They have a choice to do it on their face or a mold. Wyatt chose to do his face. In order to do that he needed a helper. I was happy to come and help him. It was alot of fun making his mask, and I will be interested in seeing the finished product.

Here he is after putting vasoline on his face (to make sure it doesn't stick).

Putting the plaster on. He requested that his eyes be closed (he could have done them open), and that his nose and mouth were open. He could have had one or the other of them closed.

I sure made a huge mess with his plaster. I forgot to bring something to hold his hair back, so he ended up putting vasoline in it to hold it back. Good thing his clothes were older....that way if the plaster doesn't wash out it won't be a big deal.

The final reveal. It took some work getting it off....but we did it and he is MESSY. Good thing it is bath night tonight!

First Day of School 2011

This is a picture of all the kids that I sent to school that day. For some reason the dog was wanting to be in the thick of things, so I just took one of them all. Besides this is actually the best picture of all the kids that I have.

I was ready for this day....only because I was tired of the fighting that had started taking place because they were bored with everything that was around. I don't know if any other parents notice this same pattern, but at my house it is the same thing every year. The kids are really excited to come home for the summer, and for the first few weeks are great. Then the longer we get into summer the more they don't like to play nicely with each other. The closer we get to summer the more outbreaks we have of down-right dirty fighting. So when school finally does start we are all relived and grateful to no longer have those fights. This year marks one for the records for us. We have 5 kids in school (2 at home) and we have 3 different schools that all the children attend. In our district they have the schools divided into a K-3, 4-5, and then the middle school (6-8) and the high school (9-12). So I have Jacob in Kindergarten, Mariah in 2nd, Bethany in 3rd, Wyatt in 5th and Amanda in 10th. Next year will be harder still as I will have 4 different schools to try and work things out with. With all that being said, it is nice to have the kids off to a schedule and learning new things. But it is hard because Jacob is in school and I just wonder where the time went for us.

This is Bethany on her first day of the 3rd grade. For some reason she wasn't wanting me to take pictures at all. So if looks could kill, I would probably be dead by now. But someone told me that it really looks like she is plotting something very devious.

This is Katherine. She wasn't done eating her breakfast, but she really wanted me to take her picture. She is a little disappointed that she isn't going to school. I am trying to work with her on her letters and such, but to her that isn't the same as actually GOING to school.

This is Jacob. He was SOOO excited to be finally headed to school. The whole summer he kept asking how many days until school started. Then our district had a pre-session kindergarten that I enrolled him in. They had 4 weeks of that, then a break of 2 weeks before school actually started. I really heard it when that ended and it STILL wasn't time for school to start. When I woke him up that morning for the first day of school, he jumped up and was ready to go. (I love his smile here and the excitment just shines through). Kindergarten seems to be agreeing with him too.

James really wasn't sure about all the activity that was happening that day. He was happy to have no one picking up up everytime they passed him, but after a while I think he was missing the older kids.

Mariah was excited too. I think it is a toss up as to who was more excited her or Jacob. This is the first day of 2nd grade for her.

Wyatt starting his 5th grade year. What an awesome young man he is turning out to be.

Amanda is my 10th grader this year. I can't believe how grown up she is.

Wyatt's Program

Wyatt had a music program the other day. I always hate taking pictures in there because I can never get good ones. This year's program was a little different as it was more of a musical than a program as they had some speaking parts to go along with the music. Wyatt had tried out for a part and got it.....as well as got to learn the jitterbug to dance to one of the songs. They did a great job and it was fun to walk down memory lane a bit.....the theme of the program was Rock and Roll forever. Way to go Wyatt.

Are you ready for this?

Today, I sent Jacob off to his first day of preschool........

and was left with these at home:

It was a hard day for him. He was really excited this morning and couldn't wait for me to take him to school. Then we got there and everything melted. He didn't want to go into the building, he didn't want to hang his backpack up, he didn't want to do anything. I felt really bad because I made him do those things.....then I helped him to his seat, said good bye and left him there crying. Now don't get me wrong, I tried to comfort him and tell him that things would be okay, but he wasn't listening and nothing I said made a difference. He is the type of person that if things don't go his way, he throws a fit. So I left him to throw his fit, and before I started to cry myself. I knew that this transition would be hard for him, but I also knew that this would be a great way for him to get used to going to school before he started kindergarten next year. He is a smart boy, he just needs the socialization that school can provide for him. I hope that he had a good day at school as he is still there while I am posting this. I know that Katherine has sure been missing him and in some ways I think that she would have stayed there at school a whole lot easier than Jacob did. It is going to be weird having just 2 at home during the morning, but I think I will get used to it. I will have plenty of time with just 2 at home as Katherine won't be able to start preschool until she is 4 1/2 and that will be in 2 more years. So we will see how the year goes. Hopefully the days will get easier and he won't be so emotional about it.

Band Concerts

I never thought that I would be the one to be attending all these band things. I always thought that my children would follow in my footsteps and join choir, not band. But 2 years ago, Amanda came home from school and said that she wanted to join band. So I said sure. I know all the research that says that it makes for better students and gives them better math skills, but I was just thinking that it would give her a chance to meet some new friends in the middle school where she would be going and also give her a head start on her piano. I never thought that we would come this far. I saw the Cosby Show the other night where Vanessa is learning the clarinet (Amanda's instrument as well) and remember those first few weeks of "practicing" that sounded just like that. I really thought that we had a flock of geese in our house with all the squawking and such that was happening. Little by little it transformed into something that resembled music. Now those squawks are few and very far between. We actually get to hear the music now, and it is fun to hear her practice and then go to the concerts and hear it all together. One part out of many that makes a huge difference to a piece of music.
She has stuck with it and now we are at the end of another band year. They just had their last concert of the year last night and it was amazing. I marveled at the progress that the band as a whole has made since they first started 2 years ago. They were so confident in their abilities last night. The played some pretty tough stuff and there were mistakes, I am sure, but none that the untrained ear would be able to notice. I asked her about next year, and got the reply that she would again be in band. So I am looking forward to another year (at least) of band......hoping that maybe one day I will be sitting in the stands at a graduation and see her playing in the band with her cap and gown. (I know a long way off---but that was the image that kept coming to my mind last night as I watched her playing with her classmates---that and one of being in the stands as she is playing at basketball games and the football games.....you know the ones).
I know that these pictures aren't the best. I can never get good pictures of her in the concerts. She is always sitting somewhere different (chair changes) and then I forget where I should sit to get the best view, then the lighting and the list goes on and on. So for you photography buffs out there, some suggestions for the next concert to get a better picture would be helpful. In the second picture she is seated in the 3rd chair from the end right in front of the trombones.

My little Star---and other stories

(This is the actual picture and note that they posted on the bullentin board outside the office at the school)

I know that I have posted before about Wyatt and making a star at school, but he never ceases to amaze me. The other day I went in to the school for Bethany and while I was there I had several teachers approach me about Wyatt and what he had done that day. They all told me that he had been helping the janitor at recess to pick up cigarette butts and clean the playground. The cute part about all of this is that after they were done, the janitor asked Wyatt to go in and wash his hands (who wouldn't tell you to do that after picking up trash), but he thought that he was in trouble and started crying. Not sure exactly why, but after talking to him, he just thought that they said it in a mean way and he thought that he would get into trouble. Instead he was nominated for being a star at school. The nice part for me, was not that Wyatt is a star at school (although that is nice) but the janitor told me that I was doing a good job with my kids. The reason that was nice for me was because on that particular day, I was having a tough time understanding why I was doing what I was doing for my family, and this reaffirmed that I was doing what the Lord wants me to do. Great job Wyatt.

Also on a side note, Wyatt is being a great big brother. Last night we went to Walmart (I was alone and had all the children with me). While we were there, Jacob had to go potty (why does it always happen that way---you make them go before you leave and they STILL have to go when you get to the store) and so Wyatt volunteered to take him. So off they went. After picking out the item that I needed I went to meet him at the bathroom, so that we could continue our shopping. Unfortunately they weren't at the bathroom that I went to---our Walmart has 2 sets one in the front of the store and one by the back. So I went to the other one and he wasn't there either. Then while I was wondering what to do, there was a page for Wyatt's Mom to come to the photo center. I knew that it was me. I am thankful that he did the right thing. He couldn't find me, but stayed with Jacob and found someone that could help him to find me. Super job and way to be the great big brother.

Today we also got some great news. Mariah is going to be able to go to the same school as Bethany and Wyatt. It is scary for me to think that next year I will have 3 little people in the same school---Wyatt in 3rd grade, Bethany in 1st and then Mariah in kindergarten. For those that don't know about our school district we have 3 elementary schools that are K-3, then a school for the 4th and 5th graders, then the middle school and high school (that is why I will have 3 in the same school). But the added bonus is that Mariah will have the same teacher that Amanda, Wyatt AND Bethany have had. She must have requested Mariah or something, but we are glad that she is going to teach another one of our kiddos. (She either likes our family or is the only teacher that wants to put up with us.) It is going to be really weird next year having just 2 of my little people home for the WHOLE day. What am I going to do with myself?

My Budding Musicians

Bethany had a music "concert" today for her kindergarten class. They don't do a regular concert like they do for the older kids, we just went to the school and got to sit in on one of her music classes. Although it wasn't a full blown concert it was still fun to go and see how they teach the music classes. They sang a couple of songs in French and had lots of actions. What was even more fun to see was Wyatt and Katherine. They called Wyatt down from his room to watch too and Jacob loved seeing his Wyatt. Then while Bethany's class was singing I looked over at Wyatt and he too is singing all the songs right along with them. After they were done Katherine jumps right up and sits down on the risers and looks at me like, okay now it's my turn. After the program the kids all got to go into the lunch room and have a snack. I think that Bethany and Wyatt enjoyed having a snack with their siblings....and I know that Katherine loved being the big girl and sitting on a chair all by herself. We are so proud of Bethany---she has come a long way this year and is doing so well in school.

My Hero

I know that sometimes as parents we find ourselves wondering if we have given our children the tools that they need to survive the world. At times like this one I am beginning to say, yes I did, at least for this one child. The school has a "Stars" board where they will post pictures of students who have gone out of their way to help others and to be kind (all the things that we want them to do). This afternoon I was going through Wyatt's bag and found his picture along with the sheet that tells who nominated him and why. He told me, after questioning him about it, that it happened last Friday. It says on his sheet that he went over and ate lunch with another boy who was eating by himself. I am so proud of my little boy (who I guess isn't so little). This isn't the first time that he has done something like this. Last year he pushed a little girl around in her wheelchair for the longest time (she had broken her leg) without being asked and because he wanted to (not for the attention). So today my hat goes off to my little hero, who is trying to make his part of the world a better place and make those around him feel better too. Thanks Wyatt, for your shining example. Way to go!

Last First Day of School

The other kids have been going to school for a week now, but Mariah didn't get to start until today. Wow, 4 kids in school (at least for half the day) and what will I do with myself? Mariah started her first day of preschool today and was so excited. She went right into the classroom and found her spot, and gave me a big hug and said "Bye, Mom". I was a bit bewildered, but turned and walked out. When I came back at the end of the day, I was able to watch her complete her lunch before she really noticed that I was there. She stacked her plate, put her cup and silverware where it should go, and then proceeded to wash the placemat off all by herself with little or no instructions from the teachers. I guess I just need to send her to school more often, because at home it is a constant struggle to get her to complete a task without LOTS of encouragement. Then shortly after arriving home, she laid down in the chair and was out. But of course she has had a long week so far. Monday was her birthday, Tuesday was her doctor's visit to complete the vaccinations for school and then Wednesday was school----that wears me out just remembering all that. But she is a trooper and was really brave for her shots. She and Katherine had to get them yesterday. She went first because I was afraid that if Katherine went first, everyone would be crying because....well, shots hurt. So Mariah went first. She climbed up on the table and sat really still for the nurse. She flinched just a little on the first, nothing on the second and for the third just whimpered just a little (that was the shot with the most stuff to put in her leg). Katherine on the other hand started screaming from the moment the first needle touched her leg until I was able to pick her up at the end. Now to answer the question posed at the first what am I going to do.......potty train Jacob. He was really upset that he didn't get to go to school, so I told him that he was going to potty training school. And sure enough while Mariah was at school he stood there and looked at me and said "Mom, I am peeing." (Twice). So that becomes my next job.

First Day Pictures

Well the first day of school has come and gone. Amanda, Wyatt and Bethany all started school and looked so nice in their new shirts. (It made it easy to spot them coming home from the bus stop too that first day.) They were way excited and piled all their backpacks and stuff in the living room, hence the picture of that. Then the rest of the crew was upset that they didn't get to go, so we played outside instead. We will have another first day when Mariah starts school next week, so keep a look out.