Recruiting over Ice Cream

Friday night was Austin's Ice Cream Social at school. I had bought tickets to "Time Out for Women" way before Austin was accepted to 4R. I really didn't feel like I could miss his open house so I gave my ticket to Cindy.

It was enjoyable to have Austin show us his school, visit with his teachers more, get to know more of the parents and of course have root beer floats.

More than anything we wanted to show Emma Lynn the school. She is always in school when we go so she had never even been there. We checked out the 1st grade class room and even met the 1st grade teacher. And the principle came over while we were eating to introduce herself. There was definitely some heavy recruiting going on from all sides. She handled it well. The phase of the night was "I'm going to go to Austin's school in _____________ grade." She gave us a different answer every time. ;)

I'm so grateful we found a good fit for Austin and that he is enjoying it.

He just finished Spanish week with his teacher Senora Mason


Monday he is back in English with his teacher Mrs. White. They will soon be starting a Magic Tree House unit.


In both classes they have been studying SPACE. {Austin is pointing to his.}

Something for Spence

I worry about the "middle child syndrome" for my sweet Spence. He is funny and happy and easy going. He is quick to obey, quick to grin and quick witted. But it also makes it easy for him to fall into the middle child rut because some of his siblings require more of my time.

I have wanted him to have something special, his own special activity thing for a while now. He has been doing preschool but...ya know...his mom is the teacher.

I looked into gymnastics a few different times last year but the scheduling never quite worked out. I was more determined this school year (he is getting older) and the fact that we are in Ontario every afternoon also helps.

So today was his first all boys gymnastics class. He has been SO excited. Counting down the days like an eager beaver. He did so well today. I'm smiling just thinking about it. He is such a cute kid! Right before he ran to join his class he said to me, "Mom, I'm going to my very best to do what the teacher says." You could see the determination on his face to do his very best each exercise. He would go back many times to try and practice to get it right. He loved chalking up his hands after every pole exercise. And in true Spencer form he gave everyone a laugh: he was taking his turn swinging on the rings, after three full swings they were suppose to jump down into a circular mat (they called it the doughnut to give you a visual image) and land on their feet. Some how my monkey managed to dive into the doughnut head first. He came up grinning.

I'm glad we've found something special my Spence.

Besties

So inbetween SCHOOL overtaking our life at home, in Ontario AND Vale there have been a few other things going on.

{{couponing}}

But most importantly Braxton & Brooke have come to play every day.

And WE LOVE IT.

Spencer and Braxton are seriously the best of friends. They get along so well. They never fight and they always pick up where they left off.


Ruth and Brooke have their moments {especially in the car!} but for the most part love to do all kinds of girly things together.


We are pretty lucky to have so much time with our besties.

Joseph's First

Today Joseph became a DADDY! :D {And obviously Maren a mom!}

Adelaide Rose was born on September 10, 2010 {8 days overdue} at 7:33 am. Weighing in at 6.5 pounds and 19 inches long.

I am bursting at the seams excited for them to experience the joys {and worry and heartache and sometimes stress} of parenting. It is, hands down, the most beautiful journey to take. Heavenly Father loves us so much to entrust us with such a priceless responsibility. They are going to be such wonderful, loving, and doting parents. I wish that I lived next door so I could witness it on a regular basis and be apart of Addy's life.

Welcome, Welcome Adelaide, we're so glad you're here. WE LOVE YOU!

It has begun

Preschool started again today. The official late night, messy morning kitchen, mountains of paper insanity has started. It is now compounded with the running to Ontario twice a day. {Luckily we found a car pool group to help the mornings.} I have to admit that I was a little hestitate and slightly unexcited to start preschool after the latest addition to our life last week. It's going to be busy.

But I remember why I teach preschool today ~ I enjoy it. Ya know, I'm pretty lucky that I can do something fun and creative with my kids and hopefully help others along the way. And you know what else, I've discovered that I like life busy crazy {most of the time!}

la noticias

It was a very intense week. Big, important, life changing decisions to make.

Our game plan was to have Austin to finish out the school week at 4R (Wed-Fri) and then use the long weekend to make the decision together about his future education plans.

Each day at school got better than the one before. {{He annouced Thursday after school that recess was better today because his uniform shirt was dark blue. What a goof!}}

Friday night he asked, "Can I go to school there for the rest of the year?"

Immediately Kurt and I both felt an overwhelming confirmation of the spirit. What a relief.

We wanted to celebrated his hard work this week so we let him picked dinner {{he chose eating out at Vale's local Mexician ressurant. Totally fitting.}} I also wrote him a card attached to a new box of KNEXs telling Austin that we were proud of him for being brave, working hard and making KNEXions at a new school. His response, "Thanks mom but it wasn't hard." What 7 year old says that after going to school in foreign tongue for 3 days???

Saturday afternoon Kurt and I went to the temple, fasting with this decision. I feel like we have been given an amazing opportunity. I also know that as our family learns Spanish we can become an important tool for the Lord.

We also saw this as an important opportunity to teach Austin how to communicate with the Lord in making decisions. We asked him to fast one meal (his first time) about his decision on which school to join. He also bore his testimony in sacrament meeting. That evening we talked. We asked him how he felt, "I feel good about going to the Spanish/English school." From there we could talk about how to communicate with the Lord.

It was a long week. The first 24 hours after finding out I felt like I was on the verge of puking. {Come to find out Kurt also had similar feelings.} Each day got a little better as we continued to pray, exercise faith and go to the temple until we had confirmation of the spirit. In this process I'm grateful that the school was understanding and gave us a few days to make the decision. I'm grateful that the 3 of us were able to make the decision together with the Lord. And I'm grateful for the opportunity I had to rely heavily on the spirit this week. I'm grateful that the Lord doesn't leave us alone and we can receive love and guidance on our journey.

Now I need to find a good Spanish tutor.

School FIRSTS

Emma Lynn rode the bus to school today. I took her to Katelynn's house so they could ride together. I appreciate their willingness to help her ease into a new situation. Her direction quote about the experience: "The bus ride was so long. We picked up so many kids. I don't want to ride the bus to school or home ever again."



And Austin had his first day at the 4 Rivers Community Charter school. He was put in the Spanish class so there's nothing like jumping right in. There are lots of things to think about and it seems like we've talked about them over and over. It is a very important decision to make in a very short amount of time. I just want to make the right choice for Austin.

He had a good day. Only positive things to say and definitely not tramatic. But he told some class mates, and the principal that he was going back to his school tomorrow. So basically, thanks for this experience but I'm outy. When I picked him up he said, "I have 4 good reasons why I want to go back to my school and one reason why it will be sad not to come back here." I love that he had been thinking, and calculating with his debate all ready to discuss.

{{good reasons to go to VES according to Austin: friends, lunches, 3 recesses, and he doens't have to wear a uniform. The one thing he'll miss at 4 Rivers after the first day accessment is playing games on the iPOD during centers.}}


{{First day at 4R wearing Wednesday's uniform of light blue polo}}

Ideally he would like to go to school at both locations. Unfortunately we are going to have to make a choice. Our game plan is to finish the school week at 4R and then think / talk / pray about it over the long weekend. Remember us in your prayers as we try to make the best choice for my talented Austy boy.