School Days

Here is Grace on her first day of fifth grade at White Mountain Elementary. She is in Ms. Gwisdala's class and, as always, is completely in love with school and everything about it. Her school was formerly a middle school and is now only fifth and sixth grades, which we both love. Grace loves it because it's all just big kids and she gets a locker. I love it because she will only be in junior high for two years instead of three. (I think junior high is the earthly equivalent of Hades. Mean, horrible place.)

Here is Master Liam on his first day of third grade at Sage Elementary. His teacher is Mrs. Maddox and he likes her a lot. He also likes the monkey bars on his playground. School is going well for this guy, but he is my homebody and sometimes has a hard time leaving me in the morning. But once he gets to school he always has fun and is a good student.

And here is Sam, unbelievably, on his first day of kindergarten. Kindergarten is full day here, 9:30 to 3:30. I am very much against all-day kindergarten. A five year old is just too little to be away from his mom for six hours a day. Unfortunately, no one in Wyoming agrees with me. After run-ins with the school principle and school district officials, where I tried to only enroll him for half-days, I was told that if I don't think he's ready, I should hold him back a year or homeschool him. Problem is, he IS ready for kindergarten. And he is such a social butterfly. He has been excited for kindergarten for about two years now. I am not against homeschooling at all, in fact, I consider it every year. But it is not for Sam. He needs the social aspect of school. So after many tears, we decided to give it a try and see how he does. He had a rough first week and he goes to bed at about 6:30 every night, but he is loving school! His teacher is Ms. Cowan, fresh out of college and so excited about kindergarten. I think it's going to be a great year.

First day in the classroom. He couldn't wait for me to leave. In fact, he didn't even want me to walk him in!

And what of young Declan?

Well, I don't usually send my kids to preschool until they're four, plus Declan is not potty trained yet. (Don't even get me started on THAT.) But a lady from our ward teaches preschool in her home and offered to take him, diapers and all. I thought it might be good for him since he'll be alone with me all day and might get bored. So I brought home the application and told Garreth about it... then started to cry. He said, "Are you sure you want to send him to preschool?" At which point I wailed, "NOOO!!" I don't think he is my last child, but right now he is my baby and once he starts school, he'll always be in school. I really want him home with me as long as possible.

I have not regretted my decision for one second. We are having so much fun together. When all four kids are home, sometimes he seems lost in the shuffle. I love my one-on-one time with him! He is a great little buddy!

Maybe we weren't ready for preschool, but I wanted him to have an activity of his very own. He can't start soccer until he's four, so I signed him up for dance class. Yes, that's right. Dance class. The boy loves to shake his booty, what better way to have fun than a Creative Movement class? Here he is on his first day at the studio. He loves it.

And here is yet another blackmail picture. His teacher wanted to see if one of the recital costumes from last year would fit him, so we tried it on.

I think sparkles and black spandex are a great look for him, don't you?

When he's not helping Mom or dancing or going to storytime at the library, he can usually be found playing with his BFF and next door neighbor, Brody.

Cute little boys!