last day of school!!!

School's Out!!!

Corbin and his friend stayed home - since they didn't have to go, Taylor went for a couple of hours, Levi and Rudger came home not too long after. 

Then the end-of-school party began!!

For days, Taylor and his friends talked about having a 'burn all our homework party'. We started a fire and they got rid of everything in their backpacks. We also roasted hotdogs and marshmallows. There was plenty of treats, water, and sun - just how summer should begin! It was a good day.

Can't wait for the adventures to begin ♥♥

school starts again + our focus for the year

I was in denial that summer was coming to an end and school was starting up again. We left a lot of the school preparation to the end, but it was fine, the kids didn't need a lot of clothes and I like to wait until after school starts to get the supplies their teachers tell them to get (at least for the Jr High kids). Several days before school started though, I knew I needed to think of a simple focus for our family. Something to help us grow and become better people, but one that was not too complicated. 

Taylor gave me a paper that he got from church that talked about how the trees that grow up in windy environments become the strongest. We are so much more precious than a tree. Heavenly Father made our spirits strong and capable of being resilient to the whirlwinds of life.  THIS, this is what I want and hope for the kids (and our family) this year. To become stronger in every aspect of our lives - Physically, Mentally, Socially, Emotionally, and Spiritually so that we can be resilient to whatever comes our way.

We had our feast, which I'll just say this recipe was amazing, and then we each wrote goals for our first month in school. We'll continue this throughout the school year, and hopefully by the end of next May we'll all be stronger.

And now here we are, Corbin is in 9th and Taylor in 7th - both at the Jr. High together! Levi in 5th and Rudger in 1st - both at the elementary school! We made it through the first three days of school and it's fun to see how the two older boys have grown closer together and same for the younger two. Corbin and Taylor have lunch together on their 'A' day and love sitting together (with their cousin Hunter, too!!). Levi and Rudger happen to have the same first and last recess so the two of them play together all recess. This makes my heart so so happy! 

 And since the kids all started school, we decided it would be the perfect time to have Adeline start using the potty. Everyone else is growing up, I guess we'll let her too. She's doing fantastic! (for the most part) :)

And at the end of the school day, for both sets of kids, a huge 5 minute storm passed by. Right as school was getting out....seriously!! The 2nd storm produced the biggest hail storm I've ever seen. It was pandemonium with kids running around crying. :( But one things for sure, it will probably be one of the most memorable first days of school for these kids! 

welcome summer!!!

I wasn't sure if I was going to throw an end of summer party this year, but sort of last minute we decided to go ahead with it. Corbin didn't have to be at school the last day, so he helped make the sign and got things ready. It was a simple party...although the cake did take a bit of work, and the flavor wasn't totally worth it (watermelon flavor) but it was still fun and I loved how it looked. :)

But the VERY best part...school's out!!! No more schedules, late night studying, packing lunches, signing papers, deadlines - lazy summer days are straight ahead for three months!!

and so it begins again :: 2015-16 school year ::

And so it begins again. Is it just me, or did this summer fly by like none other? I hope the boys felt like it was a good one. Hopefully there were plenty of adventures, sleeping in, and lazy days. Now it's back to the nagging mom, early bedtimes, deadlines, but hopefully being back on a schedule will be good for us.

Last night we had our back to school feast, introduced our theme, had our father's blessings, and then had THE hardest time falling asleep. I tried reading to them so that they would fall asleep faster, it didn't work last night...they were just too excited!

This morning they were up bright and early (at least for them). New clothes on, hair combed, traditional rice pudding eaten, and pictures taken...they were ready to get out the door fast.

 Corbin has shown the most excitement. Last night he laid out his clothes, socks, shoes, backpack, school supplies and kept saying he couldn't believe he was in 6th grade. I can't either. When I was walking to the big kid hall to take his picture, I kept thinking...'I am a mom to a 6th grader!!' It seems way too surreal. 

I love how excited Taylor was about his shirt and shoes matching. We even found socks that went perfectly which made us both quite happy. :) Taylor is very excited to have one of his friends in his class this year and even a second cousin! I have a feeling this will be a big year for him.

 Levi was the least excited about school starting. Oh how he wished summer would go on and on. But that wolf shirt made it much easier to get out of bed this morning. I am certain there was a little bit of excitement about seeing friends, smelling fresh out of the box crayons, and getting to eat lunch at school again. Here's to second grade.

And I am determined to get on a good schedule, so that everyone can come hope to a peaceful, happy place. Meal plans, cleaning schedule perfected, and get as much done in this house before our baby comes in just over two months!

Rudger is NOT happy. Right now he is sitting by me as sad as can be. As we left the school this morning, he said, "I do NOT want the brothers to go to school." We are going to have some long days ahead of us.

11.11.2014 - for school teachers

School teachers really are amazing. I remember wanting to be a teacher when I was younger, I realize now that I'm not so sure I could handle it. Which makes me appreciate these teachers even more. 

I am feeling particularly grateful for Corbin's teacher this year. She truly loves her children and wants the best for them. I love that she not only focuses on educating them, but on encouraging them to live good lives.  

We had Parent Teacher Conferences today and with tears in her eyes she thanked Corbin for choosing to be so respectful and kind to not only her, but to all the students in the class. My mommy heart was so happy.

And I just love the motto she has. "Make it a great day!" 

first week and our focus

We rode our bikes today. It's two miles to our school and the boys were hot. Especially Tay. 

We did it. We made it through the first week of school. Corbin loves feeling grown up and seeing his friends again. Taylor loves all the new school supplies. Levi thinks all day is pretty long. Rudger had a couple of naughty moments the first day and then has been right by my side the rest of the week, until his brothers come home. He misses them like crazy. For me, I think this has been one of my busiest weeks of my year (if you don't count May) I'm exhausted and ready for a weekend. 

Last Sunday we had our Back to School Feast. And we introduced our focus for the year.  

School is a totally different place than home. It's easy for kids to get caught up in what is "cool", even if it is not right. I am realizing that these boys are growing at a rapid rate and my days of being their biggest influence is quickly fading as we head into these coming years. I want them to STAND FOR SOMETHING. I hope they stand up for what is right, stand up for truth and goodness, stand up for others, stand up for good values. As we go through this coming year, each month we will be focusing on 10 virtues that President Hinckley talks about in his book. I am really excited about this! I have a feeling it will be a great year!

the beginning of the 2014/2015 school year

And just like that we are back in school. All three of them, gone...all day long. My heart will be aching for them, but I am mostly worried about Rudger. That boy loves his bruders. 

 And obviously he wants to be just like them.

the last of the summer light

I took this picture a couple of evenings ago. The sun was setting and the boys had been playing together most of the day. But then it reminded me that summer is coming to an end. No more sleeping in and eating breakfast when it is almost lunch time. No more late night movie nights on a Wednesday. No more spontaneous activities. No more playing minecraft for way too long during the days. (not too sad about that one). 

We didn't do anything extravagant this year. We had a great balance of boredom, adventure, laziness, and friends. And that made it a good, memorable summer. I'm going to miss it. A lot. 

kindergarten, 2nd and 4th grade....done

They each did it. They each had a great year with some awesome growth. They each had some pretty incredible teachers. They each had a wonderful last day of school. Levi graduated from Kindergarten. Taylor played fun summer games outside with his class friends and teacher. And Corbin was dodging the camera while he ran to lunch with his friends. 

I am seriously so grateful for these awesome teachers. And I love that they both have cute curly hair! (Taylor had Levi's teacher when he was in Kindergarten. Levi was lucky enough to get her because she is ending her time teaching so that she can be home with her children. So happy and grateful for her) And Corbin's teachers were awesome too!

Now I can't believe that after these few short months we will have a 1st, 3rd, and 5th grader. What in the world...