End of 2nd grade (River)

Well, it is officially summer break!

River finished up a great school year and is now a big 3rd grader. 

Here is a photo of River on the last day of school (May 16) as a second grader. His teacher, Mrs. Haluska is an amazing teacher and I hope she will be Aspen's teacher when she gets to 2nd grade. :)

The last day was dress Hawaiian day. :)

The class got to celebrate by walking over to Mrs. Haluska's house and having a lunch party complete with paper airplane flying. 

Here is River with his classmates:

How can my baby boy be an official 3rd grader already?!?!? I am so proud of him...more than he knows!! 

Psalm 23

Hello! Hopefully my catching up on some blog posts isn't overwhelming your inbox (those of you who are subscribed via electronic mail). But...this mama had some catching up to do. This is the second of today's two posts....so really not that much.

Anywho...

So, River's class had been working hard on memorizing  Psalm 23 and recited it for chapel last Friday morning. It was a privilege to see little people up there speaking such a wonderful promise.

Unfortunately, you really can't see my son's face (other than the top of his strawberry blond head), but he was there....:-)

And I promise I will get better about videoing the entire performance. Hehe. Will work on that. :-)

Here it is....please ignore the fuzzy footage. Focusing is key. I'll remember that. :)



Psalm 23 from kelly c. on Vimeo.

Have a great evening! :-D

Oh, and I encourage you, if you do not already have Psalm 23 put to memory, to go read it now..amazing promises!!

-Kelly

'O Come All Ye Faithful'

I hope you all had a very happy Christmas with those you love! We did! It's always a blessing to be able to spend extra time with loved ones and friends! And the food wasn't bad either.

So...

River, his class, and the other first grade class sing 'O Come All Ye Faithful' during his school's annual Christmas program. :-)

I have been coming to watch this program for years...way before I even had my own children. It seems that I have always known someone participating in the program (more than likely my sister's kids, but I am even thinking I went and saw my sister's sis-in-law, Lisa participate in the program, too?) Either way...it was pretty neat to see one of my own kids be a part of the program.  The two first grade classes did an excellent job at the song. Adorable. 

It was a very nice program. It  did end with a bit of excitement when the electricity popped off for maybe 5 or so minutes. Thankfully this was at the end when everyone was simply chatting after the program had ended. It sure did add a bit of adventure to the evening.  Not going to lie...my heart raced when I realized I could not see my kids and we were standing in a very large crowded church. It all worked out. God makes sure of that.

Now, I will say...I was a bit disappointed that cookies were not offered afterwards as that was, from what I could remember, something that happened after the program every year. Oh well...I suppose there was a cookie shortage? :-(

Here is a little video of the song River's class sang. Please ignore the excessive movement and sporadic shaking. I really am ok, but probably will not have a future at being a surgeon, that is for sure..and that is ok by me.

Oh...and yes, I actually hit the 'play' button a bit into the song (not right at the beginning)...needless to say I need to brush up on my video recording skills. :-)

Without further ado...

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Spalding Christmas Program 2012 from kelly c. on Vimeo.

River's First Day of First Grade...

August 15, 2012 was a big day (yes, yes...I know, this post is late going up)!

River started first grade. River is going to the same school is daddy did (Rocky started school at first grade, too) and he is even in the same classroom (different teacher, of course) his daddy was in.

So here are a few snapshots from the first day.

What you won't see photos of are all the many tears this mama cried on that day. I made it through the drop off, but goodness gracious...the flood gates opened up once Aspen and I reached home. Aspen didn't know what to do except hug me. I couldn't have asked for more. I love that girl that her caring, sensitive heart.

River in deep thought. He is trying to take everything in. :-)

River was apparently ready for his sister to leave. :-(

His embarrassed face. Yes, he is followed by his own personal paparazzi. :-)

The theme of the classroom is camping. Cute, eh?

Aspen and I decided we'd go surprise River and have lunch with him at his school (you know...as Aspen and I missed our boy). :-) This really helped break up the very long day...Aspen was so excited to eat with River and the other big kids. She was also pretty excited about having her lunch bag packed.

Well...we survived the first day of school and... as you can tell from how long ago it was that school actually started.. we have survived the first couple of months.

Aspen and I are getting into the swing of things with us it being just us..she's learning how to read and really catching on quickly. We are enjoying our one on one time together. On many occasions during our nightly worships, when asked what is one thing she is thankful for today, she has said, "being with mommy while River is at school." Needless to say..my heart was warmed.

I have noticed that she is a bit more attached to me these days, but I am sure that is quite normal as having her big brother gone for most of the hours of the day is a big adjustment for a little lady, indeed.

Oh, yes...and River absolutely LOVES school, in case you were curious. His teacher, Mrs. Smith, is great. I also think River is meshing with his classmates nicely.

I am happy that he is happy and is learning so much. Since school has begun he has developed a love for writing and I am quite thankful about this.

Currently, his favorite subjects are P.E., recess, and writing. :-)

As far as the homefront goes...we are slowly, but surely, getting used to the school schedule. We are learning how to squeeze in homework time (granted, this is a small amount being that it is first grade, of course), playtime/sports, dinner, bath/shower times, worship, then early bed time..It's happening. We are adjusting.

Thanks for reading my first day back to school ramblings.. :-)

Better go get ready for another school day tomorrow. The day starts bright and early.

With much love,
Kelly

This boy....

This boy is about to start school...school in an actual school setting, that is.

And I just happen to love this photo of him. We had a little before-school-starts-photo-session. :-)

I must get this printed and put up on my wall...yes, printing photos...what a novel idea..an idea I really am going to get around to doing. Really. :-)

He is growing up way too fast. Where is that pause button again?? Oh, yes...I wouldn't actually use the pause button, that's right. But...wouldn't it be nice to have as an option?

Anywho...expect this first day to be well documented. :-)

Man, I will miss having him around with Aspen and I for most of the day, but I know he will be learning so much, not just academically (though, of course he has been while beening homeschooled with me) but also various social skills..He will have a blast. I know it! Plus, Aspen will be home with me and this will be nice to be able to spend some alone time with Aspen...just the two of us (like River and I had before she was born). I say this while a tear is about to rush down my face...I really will miss having it be the three of us during the day..I am having mixed emotions about this and I realize this is normal. Kids grow up. I just may not be ready....but ready or not I have a little boy, a very precious little boy, who will be a first grader in three short days. Oy!

Mommy loves you so much , River!!