Week In Review

September

Week 4

@rpax12

Life Lately

I thought that once school started and we settled down into our routines again, life would slow down a little bit and not be quite so hectic. That lasted all of about two weeks. It's not like I didn't see it coming, but I guess I was hoping for a little more quiet before the storm. Sometimes I long for the simple days of when they were all younger and we didn't have quite so many things filling up our plate. When we could go outside every night together and ride bikes, draw on the sidewalk, and enjoy being together. We still enjoy being together, it's just now on the sidelines of the soccer fields or in the bleachers of a middle school gym. As busy as we are, it's always nice to slow down and play in the grass. Then, when they all go to bed and I look at what's on the calendar for the next day, I can remember these down times!

Kelsie made the middle school volleyball team and has been busy every night with practices and games. I love going to watch her play and have so much fun cheering for her and her team. The boys keep me company as well as some of her friends from church. It's been so great to see her more confident as a result of volleyball. In addition to all the demands of her sport, she also has school, homework, young women activities, babysitting, and friends. She really doesn't have a whole lot of down time, but when she does, we love spending as much time with her as we can (even when it's waaaay past her bed time).

The boys have also started up sports again. We spend our Saturday mornings at the soccer fields, with Wally and I switching games at halftime to watch each of them play. Brandon is a natural at sports and is already starting out great on his team. He scored his first goal for the season during the first game. We are trying something new this fall with Brandon playing both soccer and flag football. We're hoping that we didn't make a horrible decision and that we don't go crazy between all the running around that is inevitably going to happen. He joined the Morning Miles club at school on Friday's and stays busy with Cub Scouts each week as well. He is very determined to pass off everything in his book as soon as possible.

Caleb was excited to play soccer again this fall and quickly made some friends after his first week. We're hoping that he'll have a great season as well and that he'll realize that he's got to kick the ball if he wants it to go anywhere. He loves kindergarten! There hasn't been a single tear about going to school. He has made lots of friends and always comes home with a big smile on his face. I am able to help out in his class once a week and he is always so happy to see me come. His new love is Lego Ninjago. It's pretty much all he eats, sleeps, and breaths. Even at school.

Isaac is just along for the ride. I guess that's how it is when you're two and the youngest of four busy kids. He and I get to spend every day together. He's my little shadow and is constantly narrating everything that I do (Mom washing dishes? Mom vacuuming? Mom reading?). He also thinks that he's just as big as his older brothers and can do just about anything they can do from running football plays with Brandon and fighting ninjas with Caleb.

So, yeah, we're busy. There is always something going on. We try to squeeze in as much family time as we can in addition to all the other balls we're juggling. The kind of family time that involved taking updated pictures which didn't go as planned the first time around. If I'm completely honest with myself, I really love to be busy. Even though it feels like I'm running a marathon for months, it's totally worth it to see all of my kids learning, excelling, and gaining experiences as they grow. There really is nothing sweeter. Except, maybe, bedtime for Isaac at 6 pm.

Week in Review

September

Week 3

Week in Review

September

Week 2

Week in Review

September

Week 1

First Days of School

The kids started another school year about 3 weeks ago. We were all excited and anxious to start. We had an order of all new schools (again) this year, so there was quite a bit of nerves to go along with all our excitement as well. We also had a brand new kindergartener, which means a certain little guy misses all his older brothers and sister while they're gone all day.

Kelsie started 7th grade this year. She was pretty nervous about starting another school, but after we walked through her schedule a few times and made sure we knew where everything was, she was good to go. She has been able to see a lot of friends from church and has also made quite a few new friends as well. She is a great student and is working hard for straight A's again this year. Her favorite class and teacher right now is P.E., and comes home everyday with a new story to tell about it.

Brandon couldn't wait to see who was in his class when it was time to find out who his teacher was. He was so happy to find out that one of his best friends from church was in it with him! He loves his teacher and is making a lot of new friends. He has even made friends with the nurse within the first week of school after he tried playing football on the cement. Not his best idea. He came home with some pretty big bandages on both knees and hands.

Waiting to find out who Brandon's teacher would be. Caleb wasn't too sure about going to school anymore.

Caleb was so ready for school to start, that is, until it was actually going to start! He started school a day after Kelsie and Brandon did. He was nervous about meeting his teacher, but once he did and saw his classroom, there was no turning back--especially once he found the bucket of lego's! He did amazing on his first day, and there were no tears coming from him at all! I, on the other hand, may have showed my emotions a little more. He leaves every morning with a big smile and a wave as he gets on the bus and comes home just as happy. 

Getting ready to line up for his first day of school!

All in all, it's been a successful start to a new year. I still can't believe that Caleb is old enough for school and am getting used to having the three older kids gone all day! Isaac really is beside himself on some days. He is starting to enjoy this new found freedom he has while everyone is gone though.We have settled into a routine that starts pretty early now, but everyone is happy and learning again! Here's to another great year of school and happy kids!

Brandon showing some nerves, just before the bus came.