First Day of School 2012

They're gone!

We dropped all the kids off at the SAME SCHOOL at the SAME TIME for the first time this year. They were ready to go and we were ready to be able to work at home again after a long (fun, but looooong) summer.

The kids were all fired up over the weekend for school to start. They all laid out their first day of school outfits last night and were up early, raring to go this morning.

This is old hat for Jake by now and he acted like it, dropping off his supplies and gear in his room before school, saying "c-ya" and heading off to line up with his class before the bell rang.

Tanner was used to the process, but was still a little clingy on the playground this morning. We have already gotten about 9 emails from his teacher, with very specific directions on everything; from how to line up to which kind of ruler is the best (the kind with the metal spline - in case you were wondering), so we're a little concerned about that. Tanner does really well with specific directions (not from us, mind you, but from other people), so my guess is that he will thrive in her class, but we'll wait and see. 

Faith was very excited to start kindergarten. She held her own in the line as we were able to line up with them for today only. She did the Pledge of the Allegiance, said the Harbor Pledge and then we followed her into the classroom for our first day routine. She sat down at her desk, listened to her teacher, said "here" during roll call, etc. so we thought we were in the clear. Then the kids went up to the rug and Ms. Schubert read "The Kissing Hand", like she does every first day of school. On the first page, where Chester is sad to be going to school, Faith lost it. Marisa had to go up and join the class on the rug for the rest of the book. I'm convinced that if Chester hadn't been sad, or if we had skipped the book, we would have been golden. But we did have tears on the first day.

The school always has a get-together for the kindergarten parents (I'm not sure we've ever gone before). They wanted us to write a letter to Faiths teacher or to "the world" that would get mailed to us at the end of the year...a little too touchy feely for us, so I waited outside while Marisa filled ours out. It was an exercise based on Abraham Lincoln's letter to his son's teacher. They gave us a copy, which I included here because it was awesome and everything that I wish I could have said to my kids on their first day of school.

Abraham Lincoln's letter to his son's teacher

He will have to learn, I know, 
that all men are not just,
all men are not true.
But teach him also that 
for every scoundrel there is a hero;
that for every selfish Politician, 
there is a dedicated leader...
Teach him for every enemy there is a 
friend,

Steer him away from envy,
if you can,
teach him the secret of
quiet laughter.

Let him learn early that 
the bullies are the easiest to lick... Teach him, if you can,
the wonder of books... 
But also give him quiet time 
to ponder the eternal mystery of birds in the sky,
bees in the sun, 
and the flowers on a green hillside.

In the school teach him 
it is far honourable to fail 
than to cheat... 
Teach him to have faith 
in his own ideas, 
even if everyone tells him 
they are wrong... 
Teach him to be gentle 
with gentle people, 
and tough with the tough.

Try to give my son 
the strength not to follow the crowd 
when everyone is getting on the band wagon... 
Teach him to listen to all men... 
but teach him also to filter 
all he hears on a screen of truth, 
and take only the good 
that comes through.

Teach him if you can, 
how to laugh when he is sad...
Teach him there is no shame in tears, 
Teach him to scoff at cynics 
and to beware of too much sweetness... 
Teach him to sell his brawn 
and brain to the highest bidders 
but never to put a price-tag 
on his heart and soul.

Teach him to close his ears 
to a howling mob 
and to stand and fight 
if he thinks he's right. 
Treat him gently, 
but do not cuddle him, 
because only the test 
of fire makes fine steel.

Let him have the courage 
to be impatient... 
let him have the patience to be brave. 
Teach him always 
to have sublime faith in himself, 
because then he will have 
sublime faith in mankind.

This is a big order,
but see what you can do... 
He is such a fine fellow, 
my son!

We are picking the kids up at 1:15 (early release) for our 1st day of school Merc treats to hear about their days. I'm sure Faith was fine the minute we walked out the door and will be thrilled by her 1st day. I can't wait to hear about it. 

Lake Shasta 2012

After the exhaustion of last month we really needed a relaxing vacation so this family reunion came at the right time. We left Boise on Friday afternoon and drove 4 hours to Burns, OR to spend the night in Bates Motel. I should have realized luxury would not be the word of the day when I paid 67.00 for a two room suite but it’s not like Burns OR is a  raging metropolis. My hotel options were limited. 

Anyway, we got up the next morning and headed, skirting fire after fire, to Sugarloaf Cabin Resort on Lake Shasta to rendezvous with about 25 other family members ranging in age from 3 to 70. Brian’s dad arranged the trip and rented each family their own cabin on the lake. He also rented two jet skis, a speed boat, and a huge patio/party boat complete with BBQ facilities, deck chairs, and a water slide. He provided all the food and flew in family from London, CA, OR, ID, and WA.  It was pretty amazing. 

The kids had a blast playing with all of their cousins. Between the pool, the basketball court, the game room with air hockey and pool table, and all of the water toys there was no shortage of things to do. They all got along so well- I don’t think I overheard a single squabble. The ages ranged from 3 (Callan) to 15 (Jack) and everything in between. It was so much fun watching them play together. 

We spent the days waterskiing, swimming, and using the jet skis.  Jake got up on two skis for real and Tanner tried hard, providing great comic relief as he “belly boarded” (his skis fell of but he kept hanging onto the ski rope and was dragged a hundred feet). Faith was content to ride on the various water craft and watch. Tanner was a wild man on the jet ski, driving by himself (with Brian behind him) and going upwards of 50 mph. 

The evenings were spent in the pool, park, and game room. The kids had full independence at the resort and just had to tell us where they were going. Otherwise they wandered at will. There was no TV and no video games, just lots of hanging out. I  did a lot of reading and loved the evenings spent on the Party Boat with the sun setting , the BBQ going, and the kids splashing and swimming and going down the water slide.  Brian caught up with his cousins and his sister and Dad- and also got the chance to practice his fly fishing skills. On two of the evenings the resort put up a portable movie screen and showed movies right on the lake complete with popcorn and s’mores. In their spare time the cousins worked together to create a music video to give to Grandpa Phil as a thank you for the trip. It was so cute. 

The kids made memories to last a lifetime and can’t wait to see all of their cousins again. 

July 14-Aug 17 in a Nutshell

It has been awhile since I have posted... but with good reason(s). I  returned from a week long business trip to Pittsburgh on July 14th and life just got crazy from there. I was really sick for a couple of days, was diagnosed with walking pneumonia, and then my dad came for a visit. I never got a chance to post about that visit because four days after his departure we got the news that my eldest sister had passed away unexpectedly on July 31st.  The next week was a blur of family phone calls and taking a crash course on dealing with the practicalities of death. Kim and her family came into town, as planned,  on August 4th and somehow we managed to fit in a whirlwind visit of activities- floating the Boise River, a day at Roaring Springs Water Park, and a day on our boat- while continuing to make sense of Kerri’s death. Emotionally and physically we were all pretty beat up. Optimist football started right after my sister left and we had two weeks of 100 plus smoke-filled heat with 1.5 hour football practices five days a week. My incessant cough continued and was classified as Whooping Cough. We did our back to school shopping, dropped off supplies at school, and got ready for Brian’s family reunion at Lake Shasta. We left for that trip on August 17th.  Whew. It’s been a wild ride. 

End of the Summer of Baseball

It's been hot here lately, like Africa hot. North of 100 degrees on most days. Jake just finished up baseball in this heat, playing for his fourth team of the summer as they finished up Summer Ball, after All-Stars, after travel ball. His last game was on Thursday the 2nd (his team didn't make the finals), which was good because football started on Monday.

The first three practices are mandated by the league to be in shorts/helmets, but no pads. Those days were hot enough, but the last couple of nights the boys have been in full pads and it has been smoking. During water breaks, they are pouring as much water on themselves as they are drinking. It's a lot of agility work, getting them used to moving in pads and helmets (this is their first year with full gear). The last two nights were the first full contact practices. It is a big change to get them used to hitting and doing it correctly. Some of the kids have been dragging almost as soon as we start.

Jake has been doing really well. He complains about his helmet hurting his head (they all do), but he seems to like to contact so far. He has impressed his new coaches with his throwing ability and his attitude. He also knows a ton about football that most of the boys don't. He really loves football, and so far, shows no sign of letting up. 

Next week is another full week in the heat. Then we are out of town for a full week of practice. We also miss the jamboree and the 1st game this year. We'll see how next week goes, but if the same holds true, we'll be busy on Saturdays this fall.