School Daze

  

The dreaded back to school happened this September... dreaded because I much prefer my kids with me.  Weird to some but when your a working mom, time with your kids is priceless.  Plus, we don't need a schedule, I don't need to pack a lunch and snacks everyday, and no homework!  It really is a lot of work for the parents when kids are in school am I right?!  But Rhone thrives in school and Lachlyn now is too!  It's pretty amazing to see their excitement each morning.  Because we moved this spring, Rhone had started 1st grade at his new school.  I was a complete wreck while he was Mr. cool.  He wasn't nervous, he had gotten over being away from his old friends and after frequent visits to his new school over the summer to play at the play ground he was actually really excited.  I envy his confidence.  I gave him a goal the first day to meet 1 friend and he came out that day with a couple!  Granted he didn't know their names, but he is so friendly and kind that making friends comes easy for him.  

Another huge thing that happened the morning of his 1st day, was his 1st wiggly tooth!  He was so excited but also very nervous because he was concerned about eating or loosing the tooth at school.  Little did we know it took 2 weeks for the sucker to fall out.  

Lachlyn also started at a new preschool this year in Pre-K.  She goes 2 days a week and she absolutely loves it!  Last year she was in a preschool daycare so she is pretty used to the routine and going every day I work, but this school is a little different.  It is bilingual Montessori school so were hoping she comes out knowing a little more Spanish than me (which is pretty easy to do:).   This school also picks Rhone up after his school gets out so at the end of the day, they get to see each other which they say is their favorite part.  

I have to say, this whole school business is stressful for me.  Not the kids or KC, just me... I wish I could home school and keep them in a bubble with me, but they are free bird kids and they love being on their own and thriving in new environments.   Does anyone else learn from their kids as well?  They continually teach me.  Looking through the eyes of a child can really make you realize that life is an adventure, its easy, its fun, and isn't' that exactly what God asks us to do with our faith.

Rhone's Birthday Party

 

 

Last year some time, Rhone had a friends birthday party at Chuck E Cheese and ever since then he has been asking to go for his birthday.  I usually like to do something a little more creative but with not feeling to great and having just moved the idea of Chuck E Cheese actually sounded quite amazing to me... did you know they have a party host that gives out the food and cleans up! It's pretty sweet.  All the kids had a blast and for KC and I it was super fun watching him interact with each one of them and cheer them on as they play games to win tickets.  Lachlyn was running around the entire time too playing all the games and definitely tired herself out after.  All in all it was a great party that Rhone loved.  I mean, you only turn 6 once right?! Oh and yes that cake is Wolverine... he specifically asked for it and after failed attempts at getting a store to make one, an amazing friend offered to make it and she killed it!  

Rhone turned 6! ( 2 weeks ago)

 

 

April 28th my little baby turned 6 years old!  There's something about having your child be older than 5 and going onto 10 that really freaked me out.  He has grown up so much this last year.  Starting Kindergarten has opened up a new world for him.  He has his own friends that I don't know, he is gone all day at school, and he is getting smarter like really smart!  He can read! As I was looking back to add pictures, I couldn't help but go a little over board haha.  He was the cutest little kid in the entire world and his smile warms my heart.  He always has had a way with me when he smiles, like really smiles.  He is full of life and full of love.  He cares deeply for his family and his friends.  On this mothers day, as I sit here and write this, he is the one who made me a mama.  He changed me forever.  He has my whole heart and I couldn't be more grateful to be able to call myself his mom.  This next year, year 6 will hold alot of changes for him.  We have moved and he will start a new school and grow even more.  I can't wait to see how God uses him and how he blesses others.  

Also, I have to point out that I have tried to make a tradition of taking a picture of my kids with the number they turned but unfortunately, his #6 got away before we could take the picture! It was devastating, historical and quite the site seeing it float away for all of us!

Coming Next... The birthday party

Back to School

 So this post is only 3 weeks old // woops // but as I write this my heart still feels the same way it did on Rhone's 1st day of kindergarten.  The joy I feel for him in this new life is undeniable.  He loves school.  He loves being social, and he loves learning.  His 1st day as we walked down our street and up to his school, he was confident and eager.  My heart however was however completely opposite.  I didn't want that bell to ring // I still don't//.  I was scared I made the wrong decision about not putting him in private school.  I was scared I hadn't prepared him enough.  I was scared about Lachlyn crying because her brother wouldn't be there during her day.  But most of all, I as bummed that other people would get to enjoy him more than I do.  It's such a weird concept to share your kids with the world.  I have always struggled with this.  I wanted every second with my kids to burn a memory in my mind.  However I do have to say that one of my greatest joys is to see other people enjoy my kids and see what I see in them.  So as KC and I sent Rhone off I felt a slight peace that although I kinda wish I could put him in a bubble I also know that he will be completely fine.  And as the tears started rolling down my face, my sweet husband reminded me that he will thrive in school.  Everything about school is everything he loves.  // Later that week, his teacher told me that "he was a great kid" simply put but it was enough to let me know that she saw what I saw, and that alone has made a huge difference in my perspective on letting him go.

Three weeks later I can say that he has made so many friends, he loves his teacher, his favorite is eating Lunch in the cafeteria and he also loves when they have assemblies.  What I didn't expect was how stressful it can be to get all the kids breakfast, dressed, and out the door on time to take him to school!  Man, I am just not a schedule oriented mom when it comes to my days off so this has been my personal hurdle.  On top of this Wed they get out early so I have to remember each day when he gets out... haha.  I know, I know, but seriously until it is a routine I will struggle!  Lachlyn is doing much better with him being out of the house all day.  At first we caught each other saying " remember this so we can tell Rhone" or " Rhone would think that was be so funny!".  But I think we kind of look forward now to our time alone together "just us girls".  We go on dates to the market, we grab a coffee & milk, we check out new parks and it is kinda magical.  I had completely forgot how easy it was to just have 1 kid to take places.  So as we venture into this life of school I can only hope and pray that he is surrounded by good people who will challenge him and teach him not only about academics but also socially.  He has grown up so much already and I am excited to see how he grows this year in Kindergarten!

Camp Rhone

Happy Birthday to our handsome Rhone!  We celebrated Rhone's 5th birthday this Saturday and man Camp Rhone was such a success.  After Easter we asked Rhone what he wanted to do for his birthday.  He immediately said he wanted to do a scavenger hunt (this kids lives for finding things).  Since camping is one of his most favorite things to do, it just seemed to perfect.  So the big thrill for him at Camp Rhone was our scavenger hunt.   We set out all things all found in nature and the kids did such a good job finding every item.  We had about 18 kids and about 15 adults.  Served hot dogs, popcorn, fire cupcakes, mud pudding, bear poop, ants on a log, and of course S'mores.  Although I was prepared for a typical May day in WA with hot chocolate and a camp fire, it turned out to be 75 and sunny. We couldn't have asked for a more perfect day.  The decor were all inspired from Pinterest of course and I had a blast making it all. 

We all sat around the camp fire that night with plans of doing this many times this summer. That evening after everyone had left, we enjoyed family and sat around the camp fire opening presents and filling our bellies with barbeque.  Perfect day in honor of Rhone.


*Our T- Shirts were designed by myself using these adorable downloadable clip art.