School Days

I was not ready for school to start and in complete denial of it. Instead we played really hard and then finally the afternoon before school started I pulled back the backpacks and school supplies. David was out of town in Mexico for work and my sisters husband was out of town also so the few days before school we played and played. We went to the splash pad almost every night David was gone. We went to the Lindon swimming pool for the first time. It's a saline pool instead of chlorine. I'm so glad I discovered that. It works so much better for every one's skin. Saturday we went to the Manila Park Pond and then saw Cars 2 together and Grandpa came also. Sunday Autumn and kids came over for dinner and visiting. Monday we went to BYU to buy our 2011 football shirts (which Jacob wore on his first day of school) and ate lunch on campus with Uncle Ammon and his girlfriend. And then bright and early Tuesday morning reality hit and I had to take Jacob to school. We did really well with our summer homework program. We only missed a few days and the boys earned lots of points that they got to redeem for fun field trips. I thought it was a huge success and can't wait to do it again. In fact if things didn't work out with teachers this year I would have home schooled the boys. I had them on a waiting list for a charter school but they didn't get it. Jacob's teacher is Mr. Crandall which is who I requested and he is very happy there. He is working really hard on not talking and loves getting rewarded for good classroom behavior. Academic wise he's grade levels above but Mr. Crandall is doing a great job at keeping him with stocked with books on his level. I think the amount of homework he has is completely appropriate for second grade so I'm happy too. The other thing Jacob started this year was piano lessons. I'm excited for him to learn. He's excited too learn and then though the first day of new songs to practice is always drama and a bunch of "I can't do this" he has big smiles when he comes home from lessons. Yet another way to teach my child that he CAN do hard things. Jacob chose to be an early bird this year which means he goes to school from 8:00 to 2:15 pm. David usually takes him to school in the morning and I'm so grateful that Jacob gets himself ready. He even makes his own lunch. Some mornings I get out of bed just in time to say a prayer before David and Jacob leave.  

Adam started kindergarten a week later than Jacob. He was excited and ready to go! At his kindergarten assessment his teacher was blown away by him. She's seen good readers like him but what really impressed her was his handwriting and fine motor skills. Adam wrote and practiced handwriting every single day this summer mostly in English but also Spanish. Plus Adam is an excellent thinker and she tested his math far and above kindergarten. The thing I liked best is that she told Adam that she thought he would be a great leader in kindergarten and able to help the other kids learn to be good thinkers and good listeners. Right now my kids don't need a teacher to teach them reading, math and writing. I've already done that. But I love that Adam is learning to be a leader in kindergarten and that his teacher is telling him he can do and be more. Instead of the attitude that you already know everything I teach so let me just focus on the other kids. Adam was kind to let Matthew get in the pictures with him. Adam goes to school from 11:23 to 2:15 pm so he spends the morning with me and then gets out of school at the same time as Jacob. This schedule I am really enjoying. Adam is a good helper in the mornings and then Matthew and Lucas sleep in the afternoon while the other two are at school.

Adam waiting in his line to go into his classroom 

The bus was late so they made a friendship circle and talked about being friends and being kind and respectful. Adam insisted on wearing his kindergarten shirt that he got from the doctor after getting his school shots. He thought that it was required and there was no way I was going to convince him otherwise so I didn't say a word.

Adam's teacher is Mrs. Wolfe and Adam is very happy with her and in his class. He loves doing his homework however has realized that most of the kids have their moms to read them for their 15 minutes of reading homework and not the other way around.

Overall I'm really happy with how the school year has started and the teachers. I'm volunteering with the take home readers program and I like that because I can bring the other kids while I switch out the books and don't have to find a babysitter. After our experience with Jacob and the school last year I was very anxious about this year but things are turning out great and both of my boys are very happy. That's all I want: happy kids!