SCHOOL DAYS, SCHOOL DAYS DEAR OLD GOLDEN RULE DAYS READIN' AND 'RITIN' AND 'RITHMETIC-

So another school year has begun. Phoebe and Miles actually started school July 27th-but I've been waiting to post pictures when Isabel and Oliver started on August 22nd. Summer flew by but I think for most of my kids they were ready to head back to school.


Miles headed into 5th grade-and his last year in elementary school.  His teacher is Mrs. Gelfand who he seems to like a lot.  She loves to read and has a Masters in reading. I'm hoping that she will be able  pass this onto Miles. Miles is a good reader, he just doesn't love it.  He is training to tutor kids in reading before school and loves it.  This proves to me what I already knew, is that Miles really enjoys helping people. He loves science and math so far, and loves being the class clown.  I think he likes making people laugh.

Phoebe started 1st grade-and going all day to school.  So far she loves it. Going all day wore her out at first, but now she seems to be in the swing of things.  I am glad that we don't have to leave for school until 8:25 because Phoebe is not an early riser. She likes to take her time getting out of bed!  Her teacher is Mrs Wenz, who was also her kindergarten teacher(she moved up a grade). This is great for Phoebe because she is already comfortable with her.  Phoebe loves having homework like all the other kids and loves going to specials(art, p.e., music,computers, etc.).  Her favorite subject is math-I don't know where that came from.  Phoebe who is usually really quiet is not at school according to her teacher, which I'm very glad to hear :)
 

 

Oliver started 7th grade, and has got the middle school thing down.  He started taking Spanish this year which he thinks is cool and is also looking forward to taking his encore class, Mythbusters. Encore class is his last period class where  they take a "fun" class.  They switch classes every quarter.  Like every other middle school boy I know- It's hard getting information out of him. I ask how school was and I get "fine", "good", "I don't know."  I'm going to have to think of different interrogation techniques to get information out of him.



Isabel is in 11th grade-I ask myself all the time-how is she already a junior???  This is going to be a very busy year for Isabel. She will study for and take the ACT, she is in Student Government (they are already working on planning for Homecoming), in National Honors Society,  training  dance company , and is taking a hard load of classes.  Isabel loves school and loves learning.  So far she loves all her teachers and thinks all her classes are going to be great (I'm sure I will have to remind her of this in the middle of the school year).

I hope this will be great school year for all of them, It's fun to watch them experience and try new things out.  I can't believe all my kids are in school full time-it's been 16 years where I have had someone at home with me-it's bittersweet I will tell you. Luckily with year round school I won't be alone for long, Miles and Phoebe track off September 22nd and will be home with me for 3 weeks. It's a good way to ease into this alone thing.

Visiting my own Life

The thing that I've noticed the most about working is that I feel like time is just racing past me, making me feel like I'm just a spectator to my life at home. I miss alot of things and my kids are growing and changing before I even blink. I know it's a lazy way to blog but here is Spring at a glance at what I actually was there for:

I call Phoebe Tutti(if anyone remember the tv show Facts of life, the character Tutti only wore rollerskates around the house). Phoebe will just wander around the house with skates on.

Phoebe at her St. Patricks Day program for preschool

Trent and the kids took off for Spring Break without me on a trip to Texas to visit their Grandma Hart and their Hart cousins.They had a great time and all I can say was that the house was really quiet.

Miles trying on a mohawk for awhile, feeling like he was cool!

Phoebe's end of year preschool program and graduation-where she played the part of

Little Miss Muffett

Following after his dad- Oliver chose to do his career day project on Landscape Architects

Easter

Hiking with the family is a favorite activity-the kids never wear out.

(this is in Castlewood Canyon)

He made it through 3rd grade!! Last day of school for Miles and his teacher Mrs. Call.

Another one through elementary school. Oliver finished up with 5th grade and is excited to move on to middle school. This is his Continuation Day(graduation) . Oliver and his teacher Mrs. Willett.

The kids here to support Oliver on Continuation Day

Isabel all cleaned up and ready for her adventure on the Pioneer Trek with the stake- she didn't know how she felt about going-but said it was the BEST thing ever!!! when she got home. This was Isabel's kick off to summer she went at the beginning of June right after school let out, while the boys were still in school.

So there went our spring and now onto summer where I can't believe it's almost over as well :(

Time Flys (Part I)

I thought about starting fresh, but I don't want to forget the past 8 months. I noticed I stopped blogging when I started working full time, and I let time slip away. It is time to kick it up again, so here is a sampling from May through September.

8th Grade Graduation and Dance

Family Reunion and 4th of July in Utah

Isabel's 14th Birthday in Utah

Hiking Timpanogos Caves

Oliver's 10th Birthday

Summer and Fun

Back to School (3rd and 5th grade)

Camping

Starting High School - I can't believe I have a high schooler

Birthday and Baptism - the same day

Starting Preschool

Whewwww, that was a lot. I got through part I. Now, on to part II.

Schools In Session

Isabel and I went today for 8th grade registration. Am I really old enough to have someone in 8th grade? It will be her final year of middle school. It all goes by so fast. I liked it better when 9th grade was in junior high. It just seems like once you get to high school you've got one foot out the door almost. I also now know why Trent has taken her to registration for the past 2 years. We stood in so many long lines that never seemed to end. Isabel thought it was great. She said "this is like a big family reunion" Which I replied "yeah, but one I don't want to be at." Oh well, we survived. School starts on the 25th for her.

The boys started last month on July 29th for them, because they are on a year round schedule. So here is pictures from the first day of school that I finally got put on the computer. Oliver is in 4th grade this year with Ms. Stanton, who is a loud boisterous and a little bit chi chi if you know what I mean. But she works the kids hard and Oliver is really liking the year so far.

Miles is in 2nd grade this year with Mrs. Elnicki who is all about warm fuzzies and making the kids feel good about themselves. It's funny how both the boys seem to have gotten teachers that seem to be well suited to them. The only drawback is that Miles is stuck in the trailers all year. Usually the boys switch classrooms every track off but Miles' teacher volunteered for the trailers if she didn't have to move rooms. On back to school night it just seemed a tight fit in the classroom. Miles' hasn't complained and likes school as much as Miles' can.

And how is Phoebe you ask with everyone gone or about to be gone. I truly thought she would really miss the boys while they were gone, but I really think she doesn't mind being the Queen Bee at home while they are away. She is really happy to see them though when they get home.

With each start of the school year I just think time is flying by and the kids just keep getting bigger and bigger. I remember when they were little on those crazy days that you wanted to pull your hair out wishing that they could just go to school. But now that they leave me for most of the day- My wishes have reversed a little bit, and now I wish for a little bit more time with them at home with me. At least I still have Phoebe at home with me for a little while longer....

I hope this year for each of my kids to be a memorable one with new and exciting things to learn and do. Where new friends are met and many successes come to them.