1st day of School

So all the kiddos headed back to school yesterday and were all so very excited.  They were all up early showered, dressed, breakfast finished, and all their responsibilities completed over an hour before it was time for school to start.  Mary kept asking, "How many more seconds until I can get on the bus?"  They all came home from school so happy and loving school.  Mary kept telling us that "kindergarten is so, so, so, so fun that I can't say it enough!"  She was very impressed with all the toys there are to play with and all the fun learning they get to do.  Sammy came in from school with his trademark smile across his face.  When I asked him how it was to go to school all day he replied, "It went way TOO fast!  I can't wait to go back tomorrow!"  Spring was excited to tell us all the class details and said it feels so good to be back in school.  Thomas' report was that the day ended too soon and he is very relieved that his teachers choose not to read the Hungar Games this year (the other 6th grade teachers do).  He also found out he would be going to Science Camp in October so he asked Joel if he could put it on his calendar and go with him.  We had some VERY tired kids last night at bedtime but they were still up and excited for today.

The Night Before School Begins Again

So, here I am once again on the evening before school starting again.  The kids have their clothes picked out for the morning, their backpacks all ready to go in the hall closet, just finished putting up 3 lunches and 4 snacks for tomorrow, and the kids are all in bed trying to fall asleep amidst the excitement for the 1st day of school.  And, now with them all in their rooms I can freely cry over the end of another summer and the time for me to once again let them out into the world to return to school.  I really dread this time of year, but try not to let my kiddos know because I want them and need them to love school.  It is just difficult to send them out when I would prefer to have them home with me.  I am grateful; however, for the life lessons that can only be learned in school and for the opportunities they have to stand as witnesses of Jesus Christ as they share and strengthen their testimonies.  I am grateful they are learning to stand in Holy Places even when their are temptations and evil around them.

Our little Mary will begin Kindergarten tomorrow and she couldn't be more excited.  Her face beams and her smile is so wide you think her face will split in half whenever you ask her about school.  She is excited to meet new friends, learn lots of new things, have a new backpack, ride the bus, and be a "big kid" like her older brothers and sisters.  It will be so quiet in the mornings without her around.  I know she will thrive in school and maybe she will talk so much at school that she will run out of things to say when she gets home!   Just kidding...I know I will pick her up from school and she will have unending stories to tell me.  Bittersweet is the feeling of sending our 4th off to school for the first time...so grateful it is only for a half day.

Sammy is a "big first grader" this year.  He gets to stay all day and thinks that is pretty neat for four specific reasons:  (1)  He gets to ride the bus to and from school, (2) He gets more recesses, (3) He gets to each lunch at school, and (4) He gets his own desk at school.  He wanted to be sure I packed green grapes in his lunch because those are his very favorite.  I can't believe he is old enough to be at school all day this year.  I will miss his jokes and his silly antics that make me smile and remind me of all the simple pleasures of life that surround me if I will just take the time to look for them.  I know he will grow so much this year in school and will continue to bless so many people with his love and enthusiasm for life.

Spring will be the oldest in her school this year as a 4th grader.  She, too, is excited for school though she is sad that Ava and Brady are not in her class this year.  Ava has been in her class both years since we moved here and she is having a hard time knowing she won't be in her class.  She is very excited that this year she gets to have her own pencils and doesn't have to use class pencils that other kids chew on!  She has been so cute and nurturing with Mary this past week as they have been preparing for their first day of school.  I hear them talking at night and in their room during the day as Spring tries to give Mary the "low down" on school.  She has been sure to help her know the rules of the bus and the school to be sure Mary will be ready.  This will be her last year at Echo Hills and the last year of only having kids in 2 schools.  She will do so amazing this year and I am excited to hear all her stories and her impressions of school.

And, Thomas, somehow will be in 6th grade this year...big man on his campus as well before he heads off to Junior High next year.  He can't wait for Band and Orchestra to start up again next week.  He is excited for Accelerated Reader and for Science Camp that the 6th graders get to go on during the year.  He has planned out his schedule to be sure he can accomodate his music practicing, scripture reading, scouting responsibilities, home responsibilities, homework, 2 paying jobs, and of course lots of reading.  He is so meticulous that he has no problem getting everything done that he wants to do.  We are so grateful for the example he is to all of his siblings and for the love and watchful eye he keeps out for his siblings.

Last night, prior to Joel giving the kids each a Father's blessing, we talked to the kids a little about the importance of being an example to those around them at school.  We talked about how this takes an extra effort on their part.  We read Doctrine and Covenants 115:5 that teaches us to Arise and Shine forth that our light may be a standard to the nations.  We emphasized the action that is required to "arise."  Then we watched the music video for this scripture.  It was amazing to feel the Spirit teach our family.  Then the much anticipated Father's blessings were given beginning with Gideon because he and Joshie needed a blessing too.  We smiled as Joel mentioned that he had to bend over less and less as each child took their turn. Tears flowed freely from our eyes as Joel blessed each of our children and the Spirit filled our home.

A DAY of Oil Changes

Saturday, when Joel got home from the 11 year old campout with Thomas, he tackled oil changes on all 3 vehicles.  He had a handful of eager volunteers too that actually stayed with him throughout all 3 changes.  It was great fun to watch them all out with Joel.  Sammy was, by far, the most enthralled with the process.  He hurried in the house and came out with his toolbox and was under the car with Joel the entire time.  He wanted to know all the details and to see everything Joel was doing.  Joel had unending patience as a job that would normally take less than an hour to do all 3 cars took over 2 hours.  He said it was well worth the time and he loved having them out with him.

Work and the Glory

Spring began reading the "Work and the Glory" series about a month ago after Alanna, Kim, and Grandma helped us acquire the full series of the books.  To say she has loved the series would be a major understatement. She has laughed through them and cried during parts. Sometimes she has told me she had to stop because the part she was in was too scary to read at night.  She has mentioned how cool it is to read about the history of the Saints knowing she has been to so many of the places in the books.  I think it has helped it all come to life for her.  Well, she finished the 8th and final book last night.  She was happy to have finished and she said she liked they way it ended but she wished there were more books in the series.  I'm so grateful she was able to read this series and learn from it.

1st Patrol Campout

Thomas is the Patrol Leader of his 11 year old patrol and he has taken this responsibility and ran with it.  There are now 4 scouts in the patrol and the other 3 are relatively new to the patrol.  He has set a goal to help them all reach Tenderfoot by the September Court of Honor.  In order to facilitate this he set up a 7 week schedule of which requirements he would teach each week.  His scout leader allows him to teach the other scouts and he spends a lot of time preparing teaching aids in order to teach it in a fun and interesting manner.  He also scheduled a campout for his patrol for last weekend. This is the first 11 year old patrol campout they have had in our ward for years.  He developed a duty roster, they planned their menu at a troop meeting and assignments were made, he called and reminded each scout of their assignments, and he packed the patrol gear, his gear, and Joel's gear the morning of the campout.  He could hardly contain his excitement the whole week leading up to the campout.  Thomas said the campout was perfect.  He led a campfire program that evening including a song, sharing favorite parts of scout camp, joke time, and then a spiritual thought.  I asked Joel how the spriritual thought went since Thomas just told me it was taken care of.  Joel said it was like listening to a little mini-Stake President teaching.  He started by reading from the "For Strength of Youth" pamphlet about honesty and integrity.  Then he proceeded to talk about the people of Ammon and how they were an honest people and kept to their word.  He then led into the account of the stripling warriors being perfectly upright at all times and how that means they didn't just tell the truth but they were honest in all they did and they kept their word and could be depended upon.  He would relate the story and then turn to a scripture reference and read, then expound, then turn to another reference.  Then he tied it all into the Scout Law and how as scouts they need to be like the Stripling Warriors and be perfectly upright in all they do.

He also taught some knot skills and how to make kindling and tinder for the campfire.  In the midst of all this they played flashlight tag, cards, and ladder golf.  Thomas said it was the perfect campout.  When I asked him what the hardest part was he said it was trying to encourage the other scouts to work on the requirement things.  But, he followed that up by saying once they got started on it they realized that was fun to do as well.  He is already hoping to plan another campout before the weather turns too cold to help with the rank requirements of the other scouts.

Life Through our Children's Eyes

I just found these pictures on our camera from today and I'm not sure who took them but it's been kinda fun to look at them and see the images they found so important to capture.  I am guessing the photographer was either Spring or Mary as neither of them showed up in any of the pictures!  So, enjoy a peak into the craziness that we call normal around here!

Just like his Big Brother

Thomas was very amused this afternoon (well it was probably morning because Gideon still had a shirt and shorts on) when he found Gideon walking around wearing his shoes and carrying a piano book around with him.  He's already trying to be like his big brother!

Whatcha Got Cookin'?

Thomas and Sammy asked if they could make dinner with the dutch ovens this afternoon. I had some chicken thawing already so I told them to find a recipe that used chicken and they sure could. So, they decided on Chicken Enchilada Pie for dinner and Monkey Bread for dessert. They did it all, start to finish, by themselves. They even cleaned up afterwards with a little help from Dad. It was delicious and the kids loved having dessert with dinner!

Spring's 9 Year Pictures