First day of school

None of us were ready for school to start.  It was a really fun summer. I love having the kids home with me all summer.  

I think all of us were feeling apprehensive about school starting.  Joel was nervous the night before so he sat on the couch and made this chart. He wrote down every subject and resource he thought he would have and either gave it a check or an x based on what he liked.  He did end up with more checks than x's so that helped calm his nerves before he went to bed.  He seems to like it enough. He has most of the same kids in his class from last year so we are anxiously waiting to see how that goes. He told his teacher he didn't like school and she told him challenge accepted.  He was intrigued how she would rise to his challenge. He did think he had a substitute the first day.  She had gotten her hair cut over the weekend and it took him about half the day to realize she was the same person from meet the teacher night.

 Norah had two outfit changes before she settled on the perfect outfit for her first day.  I drove her and walked her into her class the first day. She told me as we were sitting there waiting for the bell to ring that she was a little nervous and a little excited.  She has ridden the bus each morning since then.  She came home and told me she was going back the next day but then she was done with first grade. I've been able to talk her into it because now that shes full day she has a different resource each day. Music, Art, PE, Guidance, Library... so I told her she shouldn't make a decision about school until she at least tries it all once.   Its a long day for her.  But she enjoys school and comes home excited each day to tell me all about it.. Mornings are really rough. Her bus comes at 7am and she was used to sleeping until 9am all summer. Its rough on all of us.

Colin really enjoys his teachers this year. He has a really fun team. Great teachers make all the difference. He always comes home with some great stories his English teacher tells them.  His English teacher is the Young Life leader so he was very excited to get him this year.

I'd like to say we have adjusted to school by now but they haven't had a full week of school yet.  They only went one day last week and then were out of school for the hurricane. This morning felt like starting back all over but we will get into the groove soon. But so far so good and we are praying for great school years for all of them.

Verse

We were at church with Ant Ant and the speaker was talking about this passage.  They mentioned how the king only wanted the BEST of the wives and children.  He didn't want ALL he only wanted the BEST.  I don't remember where the speaker was going with this passage because then Joel leaned over to me and whispered "I wouldn't get taken."

Ferris Wheel

I don't really like ferris wheels. They make me nervous.  One time we went to the county fair at the farm and I was sure Joel was going to fall out of that seat.  He also started rocking the bucket so that didn't help.  

When Joel swallowed that diamond we were at CHKD in Norfolk for hours. It was around 12 or 1am when we left and as we were driving home we saw this ferris wheel all lit up.  I told Joel I would look it up and we could possibly go this summer.  

Well I kept forgetting to look it up until we went to the zoo one day and the kids saw it as we were driving into Norfolk.  So one day we packed our lunches and went down to the park and rode the ferris wheel.  I think its called something like sky wheel maybe.  Its a climate controlled compartment so I felt safer on it. And it was really fun.

 

 One boy is overly dramatic...one lightly nervous at the start of the ride.

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 They all loved it

 

 The summer Joel was born I took the boys to play in this fountain  lot.  Fun memories.

Redskins training camp

We spent a weekend in Richmond for a Squirrels game and then we stayed for Redskins Training Camp.  Which isn't a surprise anymore. According to Brent its the highlight of the summer! ha!

There's really not much for kids but they do have this obstacle course that the kids all line up to do.

We went on a day they had a scrimmage with the Jets Players.  That was supposed to make it a more exciting practice but then the Redskins and Jets players broke out fighting at least 4 times. It was mainly fighting and less scrimmaging.

And then it started raining and Colin was trying to protect his footballs that we take each year to get signed.

It downpoured suddenly and practice ended. Only one Jet player stayed for autographs.

But our footballs were well protected while we walked back to the car.

It wasn't the best training camp that we've been to but it was a memorable one!

Mermaid

Mermaid dreams really do come true!

The need for speed

I took the kids and a neighbor to MotorWorld the week before school started.  That was one thing they all had on their summer fun lists.  And everyone loved it.  

 

 I told Matthew's mom later that he was a very cautious driver.  I think when these boys start driving in a few short years we will be very glad for that.

 

  They all really liked these bumper boats.  I think mainly because it was so hot and there was a sprinkler part they would drive over to cool off.

 

 

 It was a fun day