A Different Kind of School Year

So, school started two weeks ago, and I still can't believe it. Neither can Jaxon. Where did Kam, Halli, and Zack go? The only thing that takes away some sadness for Jaxon is the garbage truck on Monday mornings. The only thing that takes away my sadness is a morning nap with Jaxon, which is much needed after our morning school routine.
Kamryn started middle school!!! So crazy. So fun! She loves it--the locker, changing teachers and rooms for each class, making new friends, sitting anywhere and with anyone at lunch, trying an intrument (the cornet--a small trumpet), so many fun new things. I asked her if she misses middle school and she said no way! Her morning starts at 5:30 and her bus comes at 6:56. My first reaction was, WHAT TIME? I still feel that way. TOO EARLY. So once we get Kam on the bus, we start with Halli's and Zack's morning.
Halli loves 5th grade. After an extremely difficult year in 4th grade, Halli's first couple weeks of 5th have been great. She has an amazing teacher who visits each student's house in the first month of school. We had our visit already and that made Halli love her teacher even more. She is making some good friends and having fun--really what I mostly care about as a mom since I know all three kids are great students (they get their smarts from Lance). She is happy after school and tells me all the great things about her day.
Zack thinks 2nd grade rocks! He got to loop with his 1st grade teacher and he and I are both so happy to have her as a teacher again. He also has his best buddies from 1st in his class again. He is already racing along--his teacher sent me an emailing saying after testing Zack in reading, that he is now in a High Challenge Reading Program. He loves to read when he can sit still long enough. But as much as he loves school, he is always eager to come home and turn our house into Lego Star Wars with whatever he can find.
Poor Jax. Stuck with me. I just don't make car noises the way Zack does or chase him the way the girls do. But I am a great companion for watching the garbage truck!
Here's to a great beginning of a new school year! Bring on 2nd, 5th, and middle school! Oh, and diapers and sippy cups!

The end of Elementary School

Today Lance and I watched our children walk to the bus. They were so excited for school today--the last day--field day--water games day--I don't need a backpack day. We waved bye to them and told them to have a blast. Watching Kamryn walk away was a little sad and a little exciting. Today is her last day of elementary school. Yesterday was her 5th grade graduation. It was really great. She was so happy. She had a good year, with the exception of a life lesson, and had a good teacher. She is ready to move on. A couple months ago I thought I wasn't ready for her to move on, but that changed when we went to the middle school open house last month. It was an awesome experience for her and seeing her face light up at everything about middle school changed my sadness into excitement for her. So, this morning, yes I had a twinge of sadness watching my first baby walk to the elementary school bus for the last time. But...the fun is just about to begin for Kamryn!

Halli Our Palli

I was looking through pictures just now on our computer and saw this one of Halli 4 years ago. She may be older now, but this is truly Halli---bright blue eyes, big smile, and spunkiest girl I've ever met.

Chrissa and Josephina

For the past 3 Christmases, Nana and Grandpa have given Kamryn and Halli American Girl dolls. They are treasured in our house and played with often. Here are the newest additions...

Christmas...2 months later

I have been thinking I should add to our blog for the last 3 months, but there is always a miniature person or chore that needs my attention. Anyway, we had such a great Christmas. It was so simple and so quiet and so perfect. I remember last Christmas thinking "Next year we will have an almost 1 year old. How strange..." And then all of a sudden, it was Christmas again and we had an almost 1 year old. It was just the 6 of us and we had a late start to the day and a slow morning. We did very little for Christmas this year, so there wasn't a pile of gifts. I think we will make that a new tradition. It was so nice to slowly open presents and let the kids just play and enjoy and appreciate the gifts they received. We talked with family members and one of the best things about the day was a call from my brother Matt, who is in Afghanistan for a while. It was so wonderful to hear his voice and be reminded of what is really important at Christmastime and all the time. I love Christmas--the music, the lights, the spirit it brings, the peace, the fireplace going when it's cold outside, watching each child's face as they open the gift they have been hoping for, being together, no work or school. It's my favorite time of year.