First day of School 2014-2015 School Year

One of my stipulations with moving was that it had to be during the summer break so that we didn't have to move the kids from school during the school year.  When we got into the new house I was excited about the school until they realigned the school zones and our house was now zoned for a different school than I was hoping for.  Of course the offices were closed for a month so I could do nothing, I couldn't get a zone variance turned in, I could call and ask questions...  NOTHING!!!  The one school I did want the kids to attend is run by Principal Hybarger, which just happens to be Grandma Alberta's son.  So I reach out to her and asked if she could ask her son if he took zone variances very often.  She called me back and gave me the scoop.  I needed to turn in their zone variance on the first day the offices opened back up and I need to stress that going to the school we were zoned for would cause a financial hardship since we would have to do safe key in the morning and the afternoon.  I  wrote my letter and did everything I was told and we were able to get the kids in to Goynes Elementary School.  I was so excited and so were the kids.  

We attended the "Meet Your Teacher" day and explored their new school.  It is much larger than the school we came from and I could see that it was a little overwhelming for the kids.  Ethan was so use to knowing exactly where everything was at Goldfarb.  I made sure to point out bathrooms, offices, classrooms, etc to help them feel more comfy.  I also got the kids signed up for Safe key which is a whole new thing for them.  Since we didn't really know anyone real well in the ward yet and didn't have Kira and Korina to take our kids and pick them up for us they would have to go to Safe Key after school.  We were able to find someone to drop them off in the morning.  The kids were introduced to Mr. Joe who would be at Safe Key and they liked him.  

Finally the first day of school came around.  I took the day off so I could drop them off and pick them up on their first day.  We were doing really good on time so were able to get a few pictures before school.  You could tell how excited they were about starting school again.

Not wanting to be left out, Ashlee joined them for a picture or two.  Katelee gave her the old backpack she used last year just so she would feel special also.  And I got her a new outfit for the day as well.

 

Back of bags...

 

We got to the school and it was a mad house, but we survived parking and got out of the car and headed to the line by the gate.  We waited for a bit for the gate to get opened and then headed in.  They had fun music blaring and it felt like the kids were going to a party, not school.  

And then my mother emotions took over.  I'm going to blame them on postpartum (Brynlee was only 4 months...  That still counts right?)  I got choked up and was trying to talk but had to just node and fake smile in response to the kids!  I don't know why, I hadn't been too nervous for them to start school, but it just hit me as we walked through the gates...  We found each of their lines and I snapped a picture and then I had to head out before they saw the tears fall from my eyes.  

Katelee was ready to go, not scared at all!

Ethan played it cool and was also ready to go.

 

I know I seemed like a bad mom walking out of the school when everyone else was walking in...  But the tears had started and I could do nothing to stop them.  Fortunately I was wearing sunglasses.  We got out to the van and I put Ashlee and Brynlee in their seats.  Ashlee was a little confused why I was crying.  She kept asking if I was sad and I said no, just excited for Bubby and Sissy.  It was time for Brynlee to eat and they were making announcements over the speaker so I decided to feed her in the van and listed since I wasn't there to support my kids.  Finally we drove off and the tears continued to fall.  It amazes me how my emotions hit so hard at times.  We were all good to go.  We were early and I wasn't stressed about Katelee staying all day long, I was ready for this year....  And then it hit me, my kids are one more year older and school starting means much more added stress to our lives.  Homework, school stuff, early bedtimes, Safe Key, lunches, early mornings, etc.... 

I picked the kids up that afternoon and they were so excited.  They loved school and had a blast.  I was a happy mother.  The kids continue to do well in school and we are loving our new school.  We miss our old school and our old friends there, but this school isn't too bad either! 

Katelee is SIX!!!

I don't know how it happened but Katelee turned six!!!!!

  I have been telling her for years to not grow up and just like a typical child she did not listen to me!!  Last year Katelee's birthday was a little overshadowed by her grandmother's passing.  We tried to make it as fun and uplifting as possible, throwing her a birthday party at Aunt Lisa's house in Salt Lake with cake, presents and family, going to McDonalds for her birthday breakfast and Mom and Dad being home from work during that week...  But there was a lot to distract us from celebrating her birth last year so we tried to make this year a better one. 

On the morning of Kate's birthday we woke up and got ready for school and then she opened presents before we left for school.

 

 

Katelee did not want to take treats to school, she didn't really want anyone to know it was her birthday.  I decided it was up to her and we didn't take treats to school that day.

 Of course during this time of year Ethan is always having problems with his breathing, so he got to do his treatment on the bed so he could watch her open presents.  

Ethan had a ballgame that night, so we went to dinner the night before to celebrate.  Kate picked Chilli's only if she could play one of those silly games they have at the table.  We decided since it was her birthday dinner we would let her, otherwise we don't really like those things at all.  They take away from our family dinner time, although, sometimes it seems like it would be easier to just talk to Chris and let the kids play those games....  We surprised her with having them sing happy birthday to her, which she liked, but certainly didn't need.  

Aunt Lisa came into town and her and Grandpa Snickers came to school and picked Katelee and Ethan up instead of them going to safekey.  They got to hang out with her at home and get all kinds of treats and goodies.  Then Katelee got to open her presents from Grandma and Grandpa Jiggs at Ethan's baseball game that night.  She was loving all the dolls she got and the clothes too.  

The Saturday after her birthday we had a party for her at the house.  (side note; it sure was nice having a party in a house big enough to hold all of our friends)  She wanted a Little Mermaid cake and the day of her party I was able to find a cake pan of Ariel...  I was doing such a great job until I did her skin...  Apparently Ariel spent a little too much time at the tan salon because she was more orange than skin color...  When Kate saw it she said, "I don't think it looks like it's suppose too..."  I just laughed, my kids definitely got my blunt mouth!

Katelee opened her gifts, there were so many, and had a really fun time.  She played with her cousins and friends the whole time.  The cake tasted much better than it looked and we all had a really good time spending time with family and friends.  

It sure doesn't seem like 6 years ago that this little lady joined our family here on earth.  She has grown up so fast, especially in the last year.  She is all about fashion, dresses herself and doesn't like when we pick our her clothes.  She like girly stuff, but also loves to be outside and play rough with her brother.  She has the longest and skinniest legs, still curly brown hair and the most beautiful blue green eyes.  She can still throw some major fits, but those have significantly decreased over the last year as well.  Her smile is beautiful and the gap between her top front teeth is perfect!!!  She loves to play school and church.  Loves baby dolls and jumping on the trampoline.  She is still a big help with Brynlee, loves to carry her around all the time and play with her.  She is doing very well at school, loves her teacher and loves to learn.  She is a smart girl and hates when she doesn't get 100% on something.  We sure love having Miss Kate in our lives, she makes us all smile and makes me as a mother so grateful to be called her mother! 

Ethan's Basketball Season

This summer a friend asked if Ethan would be interested in playing basketball.  He has never played before and so we asked him if he'd like to.  He quickly said yes and I signed him up right away so he couldn't change his mind.  Since I was back to work my friend offered to take Ethan to practices during the week and then he could hang out afterwards until we got home from work.  Ethan was really excited and nervous.  The boys he was playing with had all played before and Ethan felt a little overwhlmed by their skill.  But in true Ethan fashion he made the best of it and swore he was the best one on the team.  They had a few practices and then it was finally time for the first game.  That night he went to sleep with basketball shorts on and his uniform top.  He talked with me about being very nervous and scared and worried because he wasn't very good.  So he got the Mom pep talk, you have to start somewhere, sports is about having fun and learning to play with a team, he could do it, Ra Ra Ra!!!  Not to toot my own horn, but he was feeling better about it when he went to sleep.   

You could tell that this was Ethan's first time playing ball, he was not the best dribbler and he threw the ball at the basket instead of shooting it.  But he ran the whole time and celebrated each basket as if he was the one that made it.  He played every Saturday for about 6-7 weeks and LOVED it!    

 

 (Serious Picture)

One FHE we went down to the church with the Maynor family and practices basketball.  Ethan's defense progressed 100 fold and his dribbling looked better also.  He didn't score many baskets but he had fun and loved the sport.  His teammates were awesome players and passed the ball better than most professional teams...  It was a lot of fun to go and watch basketball, the game moves quick (much quicker than baseball) and we won every game...  which always helps the enjoyment of watching. 

I think Ethan would play basketball again, and if he does we'll sign him up.  He had fun, loved hanging out with all those boys and trying a new sport.