First Day of school

First day of school 2017!!

Brock is in 5th grade with Mrs. Harris.  She is going to be fantastic.  Brock has really taken off in school.  I am so proud of him and all his hard work.

Noah is in 4th grade with Mrs. Akins.  Brock and Noah were in the same class last year.  We put them in different classes this year (although they both wanted to be in the same class).  I think Noah is going to miss Brock but he is ready!  Noah is sweet and curious and excited for 4th grade.

Megan is in 2nd grade with Mrs. Henley.  She was thrilled becasue now all of her teachers have started with the letter H and she didn't want to ruin her streak.  Preschool  - Herbert, K - Horsford, 1st - Heinaman, 2nd - Henley.  She is loving 2nd grade and is doing great - especially in math.

Madison is in first grade with Mrs. Prins.  She is in the 1/2 split - they both wanted her and Megan to be in the same class (like the boys last year in the 3/4 split) and while it was tempting - I ultimately knew it wouldn't be a good idea.  Madison is a rock star at school and was my easiest transition into full day.  She never really came home tired and grumpy like the other 3.

I love that they are all in Elementary school together for 3 years.  They look out for each other and are kind to each other and are also a good source of ALL information as to what is going on in the school.

I had Jason come out and take a picture with me and the kids.  I was sure sad to send them off to school.  The transition hasn't been as hard as I thought it would.  I think that is mostly due to Jason being home all day with me.  I am not really coming home to an empty house, and I try to stay really busy.  I have come up with a good schedule - plus I still have preschool.  Mondays - work out, deep clean the house. Tuesdays - Preschool. Wednesdays - Work out, errands, service. Thursdays - Preschool. Fridays - Temple (Jason and I go together), spot clean house, free time (I may or may not watch a little Netflix on Fridays).  The hardest thing so far has actually been my social life.  When you have little kids I saw my adult friends all the time at the park, and the pool, and outside in the neighborhood while our kids played.  But if you don't do that stuff then you don't see anyone.  I am going to have to make more of an effort to see my friends - but typically in this stage of life you go out to lunch with your friends... and that is not my financial stage of life right now.  So I find myself lonely at the end of the week - having spent most of the week alone.  On a side note I decided to be the SAC (school Accountability Committee) President.  I figured - with 4 kids there, I might as well be really involved.  

But then 3:30 hits and it is crazy town.  Homework WILL kill me.  I can't keep it all straight.  They all have at least 2 or 3 online accounts they are supposed to do everyday (between the 4 of them that can take HOURS - so I mostly don't have them do it), along with spelling, math worksheets, reading, long term projects, battle of the books, and signing planners - my anxiety level goes through the roof and I want to cry.  Then their are sports, and scouts, and music and dinner somewhere in there.  Then I feel like they should just be outside playing or playing with their friends, you know, HAVING a childhood, and then they want screen time - it is A LOT to fit into 4 hours. 

She looks a little nervous.

For the sake of Brock and Noah I did not take pictures of them standing in line or walking in the school!

I love these 4!  They have made the last 10 years the best!  I loved  being home with them, everyday. I honestly wouldn't change a thing and regret nothing.  I felt like I appreciated it, and loved it, but was also realistic.  It wasn't all sunshine and roses, but those days when we never got dressed, and I had spit up on my shirts(hair) and most of us were crying, I knew THIS day would come.  Everything is a stage and I learned and embraced that early on.  While I would give anything to do it all again - I would do it all again the exact same.  On to the next stage!  I hope that in 10 years I can say the same thing.  Although - I am KEENLY aware that this next 10 years is going to be a lot harder and I have a lot more at stake.

Arkansas

It was the first week of August.  Jason had been out of work for 2 weeks.  School started in 1 week.  Baseball and gymnastics was over.  Our schedule was clear.  Then.... I had an idea!  Jason's brother and his family (with the SAME aged kids as ours) had just moved to Arkansas from West Virginia.  Due to distance we had never visited them in West Virginia and only saw them once ever 3 years or so.  Now, being in Arkansas they were only 11 hours away.  I brought the idea up to Jason, then called Marissa, and 24 hours later we were in the car headed to Arkansas for our last week of summer.  It was a fast, but FUN trip.  Jon and Marisa are great hosts and our kids had so much fun with their cousins.  I am so glad we did it.

One day we went to their local art museum.  The kids spent some time in their kid art room.

And we had lunch outside.

Another day we went and played in this river and waterfall.  This was the perfect, quintessential, childhood evening.  We just thought we would look at or maybe throw rocks in the river.  But eventually they all got in, clothes and all, and swam for hours up the river - at some points it got as deep as their chest.  They swung from branches and jumped off rocks.  It was a great day.

Once we got to the waterfall it got even better.  It is the perfect swimming hole, you cna go behind the waterfall, and there are tons and tons of smaller pools and waterfalls to wade in.

It might not surprise you that Brock didn't get wet - but he did do some fishing.

Madison found a caterpillar

I loved this place and hope to go back one day.

We also played and played and played at the house.

The girls put on several concerts and ribbon shows.

We played board games and card games at night.

And the boys played a lot of x-box

We also went swimming at their ward party where they had this blow up obstacle course.  The kids loved it.

Noah and Alaana raced

Also - not surprising Jason and Brock did not swim

We had such a fun time with our family!  I am so glad they got to know their cousins better and made great memories.  Thanks Jon and Marisa for taking us in last minute and being such great hosts to our crazy family!