Back to school...

I realize this post should have been written a couple of months ago.  But, it is what it is.  I'm trying to play a little 'catch-up' today.  The kids have gone back to school and we are back in our school routine.  Routine definitely has it's perks, but I am already anxious for next summer break! I just love having the kids at home. We are only two months in to school and I am already tired of making their cold lunches.  I wish they would just eat hot lunch sometimes, but, after a couple of lunch dates at the school, I don't blame them.  Hot lunch just doesn't look appetizing...at all.  My kids do like food, but they like good food.  They take after their mama.  Okay, getting back on topic...

The first day of school was a rough one for me.  I walked home for the first time in 11 years without a little one holding my hand. The whole walk home after dropping them off, I just bawled and bawled like a little baby.  It was to the point of embarrassing.  Dan just hugged me and I think he was a little shocked, he didn't have many words.  He did his best to try and console me, I wasn't even prepared to have the reaction I did.  I was so sad that all my little birdies had flown the nest this year. I don't know why it just hit me like a brick when the bell rang that morning.  The other moms were almost celebrating to finally be able to have some quiet time.  Being a full-time mom is what I do best. It's all I know.  It is hard to swallow that they are all growing up.  But they are growing up to be beautiful and kind people and that's all I could really ask for.  I wonder sometimes how I was blessed with such good kids.  They really do have hearts of gold.  Most of the time.  :) 

After school we had a nice Fro-Yo date so I could catch up on all the juicy

details of their first day of school.  It was smiles all around.  

What a relief that is to a mother. 

I realize that this post will be very 'un-interesting' to most of you, but I just wanted to quickly write a few thoughts about each of my kids so that I can remember how we felt years down the road when I'm sure I will forget some of the small details.

 Ahhh...the famous school pictures.  

The classic grey background, the cheesy smiles...I love them every year.  Even when I don't get the 'best' smiles.  I don't think I'd ever do re-takes.  Even on days like picture day this year, when it was pouring rain and Olivia's beautiful curls went totally flat from raindrops. I love their toothless smiles, their crooked teeth that look much too big for their adolescent faces, their choice of clothing, and their school glasses. I especially love Jack's glasses, because no matter what I do, they are always a little crooked.

KJ is the big man on campus this year.  A big 5th grader.  I remember my 5th grade so well, and he is making memories he will forever remember as well.  He has a fun class this year.  He has an older lady as his teacher this year, but she has a LOT of personality, a lot of spunk, and expects a lot from her kids.  She is my kind of teacher.  She will have these kids ready for middle school for sure.  In fact, she already has a plan for KJ taking honors classes next year once he is in Middle School.  She sees enough potential for him to be in a pre-algebra class and by the time he's in high school, he can be taking credit classes for college.  Sounds good to me.  The less required classes to have to take in undergrad, the better.  I know this is way far off in the distance, but she has a whole plan for him, and has the connections to help us navigate his education.  She has been a high school and a middle school teacher in years past. She is so invested in her students and I love that she takes such an interest in the areas they excel in. KJ loves that he is at the same school again this year.  Poor kid has bounced around so many times in Elementary school that it has been nice for him to be back with his buddies, have some familiarity again this year.  We have already had our parent/teacher conferences and she just had the nicest things to say about him.  In fact, she made the students give the conference.  KJ had to go thru his work, show me his test scores, tell me the areas he needs to work on, etc.  She says she does this because the students need to show an interest in their own education.  Their future depends on it.  I love that she is making him step up and get out of his 'comfort zone'.  

KJ wants to be a software engineer/design computers for Apple (or his own computer company) when he grows up.  

He actually has some really great ideas spinning around in his head. 

 This week I was able to go with all the fifth grade classes in Boise and Meridian to the Red Ribbon Rally at the Capitol building.  It was fantastic!  I love going on as many field trips as I can.  I love the rowdy bus rides, watching how the kids interact with each other and learning right along with the students.  

Jack is a big 2nd grader this year.  I am very excited about this year because Jack is receiving more services this year than ever before.  We fought hard to get him the most we possibly could.  He has an aid with him a lot of the day to help him stay focused and get his work done.  He sees speech and OT.  He is also in a social friends group where he learns to socialize with 'typical' kids.  He is learning how to ask appropriate questions, how to take an interest in playing new things with new friends.  He has a very strict teacher this year.  I don't get a warm and fuzzy feeling from her at all.  She doesn't put up with anything.  This is both good and bad for Jack.  He needs structure and order in the classroom.  He needs someone to get him to follow directions.  But he also needs a good squeeze every now and then.  I think his aide helps with that part.  I think it will be a good year for him.  He's above grade level for reading.  He is lacking in Math.  He has a couple of friends in his class from last year and he likes that familiarity.  It takes him a while to find new friends.  But once he does, they are friends for life.  Jack is the most loyal friend you could ever have.  I am so proud of him.  I love to help work in his classroom and see the way he interacts with his peers. I also really love to go and have lunch dates with him.  Mostly to make sure he's eating his lunch, but also to see how he interacts with his peers when they aren't in the classroom.  He still loves for me to come and visit him at school.  I will be sad when the day comes when he doesn't light up when he sees me walk in the classroom.  

For now, I will take advantage of it! 

Jack wants to be a teacher when he grows up!  A big step up from last year where he wanted to work at both Toys r us and McDonalds! 

Olivia was very ready to be in school ALL day.  The first week of school she came home so tired and said the days were very long, but she is used to the long days now.  She loves that she gets to have more recesses and eat lunch at school.  She has the same teacher Jack had last year, which I was very excited about.  We love, love, love, her!!!  It is so nice to be friends with your child's teacher.  She will text me throughout the day and give me updates, or ask if I can come in, or tell me Olivia needs her coat, or that she forgot apples for an apple project, etc.  I love to help out.  Olivia is Mrs. Chatty in school.  She definitely gets that from me.  My poor mom had to deal with that from my teachers my whole life, even in high school.  Ha!  She loves school.  She loves to learn and she tries really hard.  Learning doesn't come as easy to her as it does to KJ.  Where KJ can hear something once and it just 'clicks', she really has to work hard at things. But at least she has the desire to learn.  She has no lack of friends.  She and her friends have a jump-rope club.  They literally jump rope all recess, every recess.  They are adorable to watch.  I think I went thru the same phase.  And hey, it doesn't hurt that it is good exercise either.  :)  Liv is my little butterfly.  She is everywhere, she is beautiful, and people are drawn to her.  I know her education is off to a great start.  

Olivia had a field trip as well that I was able to attend.  Animals and agriculture, right up her alley.  She wants to be a veterinarian and a cowgirl when she grows up. 

I have mentioned this before, but it amazes me how different each of my kids are.  How is that possible when they all have the same parents?  I have a quiet one, a chatty one, a child at the top of the class, and a child who lags behind, a messy one and an organized one, a child who loves praise and one who gets embarrassed by it, one who loves hugs, one who avoids them!  I have to admit that I love it. It keeps life exciting. I do love that they are all mine. I love that they are good kids, and that their hearts are all in the right place.  

Here's to a good 2013-14 school year!!!