Back to School

August was back to school month for us, although it didn't feel much like going back to my kids. They were all starting at new schools. It caught me a little off guard that they each had moments of trepidation leading up to that first day. It had been a while since we were the "new kids." But we made it through, and they are all three settled and doing brilliantly! Great schools and wonderful teachers.... what a relief!

Being a parent is so strange sometimes. I constantly find myself in the middle of opposing emotions..... so much excitement and anticipation for the young men and women they are shaping into, but at the same time..... so much reluctance to see them growing and changing so rapidly. I have this sense at times that I just want to dig my heels in the ground and make them stop. Freeze them in their current state. I guess it's good that I don't have that option and that my Father in Heaven knows best.

Audrey started the 5th grade loves her teacher, Mrs. Hodgins and her new school. She decided to run for Student government and gave the cutest speech in front of her whole school. She was elected and is now actively serving in ASB. She continues to read like crazy and is gearing up for the "Battle of the Books", (she won district medals the last two years.) Audrey is back in piano again and loving every moment of it, I never have to ask her to practice! Aside from reading  & piano, her free time is full of experimental paper doll designs and tons of delish baking!

Quinn is really well rounded going into 1st grade. I'm so proud of all the progress he made over the summer.... he's gotten the reading bug! Quinn has always been a little more left side of the brain than my other kids, he still enjoys logical concepts and picks up math really quickly. He was the quickest to make new friends and makes me smile when he lists his teacher Mrs. Heinz as one of those friends. (He really does think of her that way.... so cute!) Quinn gravitates toward electronics, so I'm sure he wishes that he could fill all the hours of his free time with computer and wii time, but he has also taken an extremely active interest in music. His favorite right now is anything Jack White, and so he is excitedly learning how to play the guitar. 

Quinn, like most 6/7 year old boys, also has a real affinity for Legos. I think the Lego collection is pretty darn impressive these days!

Joey has mastered the lockers and multi-class scheduling of middle school! He had a great fall season on the 7th grade soccer team and is loving loving loving his art class! His Deacon's quorum is nice and big and he was recently elected his Boy Scout Troop Patrol Leader. So many camp-outs!!! 

The thing that has impressed me the most about Joey is his growing Testimony of Jesus Christ and the gospel, and the personal efforts he has made to strengthen that Testimony lately. He's a good example to me of true confidence in one's beliefs and compassion to others, even when it isn't easy to have it.

I should mention however, Joey, in entering the 7th grade and has decided that he will now go by 'Joe'. Although I completely respect this decision, it has been a difficult change for me. He's being patient with me though.

Not but certainly not least, is our little Stella. Four is doing wonders for this girl! We knew that an active smart and feisty girl like Stella would need a really good preschool this year. But that was easier said than done. Very long story short....... Mom is teaching "Home-Preschool" this year! Yay!!!

I was so apprehensive at first! And very sure that she was going to be missing some crucial social training. But I could not be happier with our special little program. We got Stella her own desk, and supplies. I researched and researched and researched different curriculums, and we are on a serious roll now. So time consuming.... but so worth it! It is so amazing how much you can teach a child this age in a one-on-one setting. This definitely ended up being for the best, and who would have thought........ it's an absolute BLAST!

 Oh and don't you know...... we had our very own 'picture day' too!