Starting School

Gosh! School started and life went into over-drive. Connor started 2nd grade this year. He is in Mrs. Talbot's class. He started the school year knowing a handful of kids. His best friend Jaron is in his class. I challenged him at the start of the school year to make new friends in his class. He has done so well! He has been so kind and loving to a boy in his class who has autism. He has an aide that sits with him and helps him during school. Connor and this sweet boy sat by each other at the beginning of the school year and I think it was a bit of a shock for Connor but he has really learned to love this boy. He plays with him at recess sometimes, and lets him join his friends in whatever they are playing. The little boy has a short attention span and usually doesn't play too long but it's so nice knowing that Connor plays with him and includes him.

Dylan started 1st grade and he is in Mrs. Echols class. My boys both scored in the teacher department this year! We love Mrs. Echols. I am able to go and help every Monday for an hour in Dylan's class. I am also the room mom so I get to help with parties and holiday celebrations. Dylan is smart as a whip! He is quiet and a good leader in class. He has some tough kids in his class but he always manages to stay on task and get his work done. He has made some good little buddies this year and is learning to love sports. He plays soccer, football, or basketball at recess.

Samantha started preschool at Watch Me Grow Preschool with Miss Julie and Grandma Smith.  To say she has waited her whole life to go to preschool is the absolute truth! She couldn't wait to go! She loved her teachers before she ever started preschool. She is my little social butterfly. She has crushes on "all the boys!" and "every single boy loves her!" So, I think I have my work cut out for me already! She is starting to write her name and knows most of her letters. She is counting higher and higher every day and she thinks she can speak spanish (she cannot--but it's fun to hear her try!).

My kids love their teachers this year! I feel so blessed to have such wonderful teachers handling my kids everyday. My boys have grown leaps and bounds this year. They all have teachers who are passionate about education and love children. It's been such a fun year for them!

Panorama Achiever Award

Connor and Dylan both received the Panorama Achiever Award at school this year. They had to do lots of extra work all year long from service projects, sports, improving test scores, science fair projects, and lots of hard work in class and at home! They both did amazing things in school this year and this was their reward for working so hard! Way to go boys!!

catch up

its been awhile.

so here goes nothin'...
Summer--we lived it up! We swam, played with friends, visited cousins, went to Grammy and Grampy's house, and counted down the days until school started. Literally. We counted down the days! The boys were so excited to go back to school. I was sad to have summer end. I loved having them home all day with me. We took our days nice and slow and so having them go back to school was a bit of an adjustment--FOR ME!!! The boys have been in heaven though and that is all that matters. It is nice to have a routine and something for them to look forward to every.single.day. I do enjoy my 2.5 hours of just Sam and myself. We go to the gym, do some shopping, clean the house, or just play with the neighbor girl! Sam loves to play with friends and it is so nice that we have girls her age in our ward.

First day of school pics:

Graduation

We had two graduations in May.

Dylan graduated from Watch Me Grow Preschool. He has loved going to preschool. He has made some good little buddies but cannot wait to go to kindergarten. Miss Julie and Grandma Smith are his favorite teachers--and I love them too!

Connor had kindergarten graduation in May as well.  They had a little program where they sang songs, danced a little, and handed out diplomas! Connor is absolutely ready to go to 1st grade. He loved kindergarten but always wished he could stay at school a little longer so he could be with his friends.

Both boys have grown leaps and bounds this past year. I am so proud of both of them and love watching them learn and grow every day!!

Kindness

Where do I start with this handsome little man. Connor is loving kindergarten this year! He loves to play with friends from school...and wishes he could play ever day. He is learning to read, and is becoming quite the little speller. He still loves to play the wii, jump on the trampoline, ride bikes and play on mom's phone. He loves all things boy: Legos, Spiderman, Star Wars, and playing tough.
A few weeks ago Connor was selected by his teacher to receive the "Kindness Award" for the month of December. He is definitely a kind boy. I was a proud momma when I found out that he was getting this award. I have taught him his whole life to be kind to others and to be a good example to his friends. I am so proud of him and hope he will always be kind. Love you Connor boy!

our walk

the mornings are cooling off here in st. george.
i look forward to this time of year.
the heat surrenders, as the cool air takes over.
it is my favorite time.

every morning my boys ask me the same question:
"are we walking to school today?"
and i always tell them yes.
"so we could get good exercise! right mom?"
again, i tell them yes.

but really, it's more than that.
it takes us about 10 minutes to walk to school.
hardly enough time for them to "get good exercise."
they hop, run, skip, race, jump over cracks, and spin.

sam watches for, and points at all the birds in the sky
dylan copycats connor's every move,
connor teaches dylan: how to skip, count, and have "super speed."
i watch. and listen. and smile. and sometimes i have to fight back tears

like today.
the boys held hands, while connor taught dylan how to skip.
"step-hop-step-hop-step-hop"
followed by: "you got it dyl!"

sam giggled and babbled at herself while i pushed her in the stroller.
she has a lot to say these days.
she likes to talk to everyone and everything
her hands. those sweaty, sticky little fingers have a lot to say too.

on the way home dylan was tired
it was peaceful.
the air was cool, and it was quiet
dylan noticed it too.

"mom, it's so quiet."
i am so glad he recognized the peacefulness
those are the moments that i cherish
we talk and laugh and giggle and play

but my kids are learning to recognize peace
and in this crazy world,
that is all i can ask for.
peaceful moments. with them. for them

kindergarten

connor-boy

you sweet little thing. i am so proud of you. today is a great day. we have been counting down the days to go to kindergarten all summer long. and finally, this morning, you were able to pick out a new shirt and wear and your awesome new nikes to school! you were so excited to take your new superheros backpack and "party stuff" for your teacher (really it was a box of kleenex, wipes, glue sticks and some prize stuff for your prize box). we got to the school just as the bell was ringing. i snapped a few pictures of you and you were on your way!

kindergarten is going to be so much fun for you. i am excited to watch you continue learning and growing. keep being such a funny kid.

love you handsome
mom

(and just for the sake of remembering--i did not cry! it was fun watching him hang up his backpack, find his seat and check out his new classroom. i am a proud momma but not a tear was shed!)