She's in Kindergarten

Last playdate of the summer....Elly and Ava came over to play, and dance and dress-up.

Allison the kindergarten girl!

Her locker.

Her spot at the table.

Her big brothers.

She did fine, but I had to hug the teacher. Mrs. Davis has taught both Connor and Tanner. I'm grateful the school honored our request to have her teach Allison. When we went to "Meet the Teacher" night, Mrs. Davis said she's been praying for us to have another child, so that this doesn't have to be her last one to teach. Funny, we've been praying for the same thing!

She had gymnastics right after school on Monday. We still had a chance to talk some about school......I had been told that there were 28 students in Mrs. Davis' class, so I asked Allison about all those children in her class. She said there were like 52, maybe even more, and they had to share lockers, some kids, not her though. She did think the day was long, "when is this ever going to end - wow." She likes Mrs. Davis but was afraid to ask her for a band-aid this morning. She scraped her knee while we were riding scooters to school. Oh, and the school is bringing in another Kindergarten teacher to help with the high numbers. Mrs. Davis said Allison will stay with her---I couldn't be happier!

And I would still like to blog a few things from summer......
just not right now or it will be too hot to exercise outside!

The King of the Lemonade Stand......has gone back to school

This is me after I took the elementary kids to school, including my baby girl.

If you squint, you can see Quinn---red shirt, plaid shorts, black backpack, he's in the cross walk, it looks like he's to the corner of the maroonish car. No, he's not going to look back!

Quinn, King of the Lemonade Stand, has entered the highest level of junior high. Quinn is in 8th grade this year. He was easy to "let go" this fall. After all, he's been in junior high before and he has grown some, and he knows the ropes. We've adjusted an English class and he's prepped for math after summer tutoring from a Jr. Hi. teacher. He's ready. He has his violin restrung with "fancier" strings, since he's not in elementary anymore.

Quinn was my buddy Monday morning. He kindly came up to the elementary school with me, so I wouldn't have to come home alone after dropping the younger kids off. He was willing to go on Tuesday, but I was fine to do it alone. I know, pretty quick adjustments on my part.

You'll have to squint on the middle picture of him going up to the school, taken from inside the van. That's about as close as he'll let me get to the school and him. Scott's a little more cool than me at this point in Quinn's life. It's weird, but I think it's normal. I don't think he even wants to talk much when I let him out, lest someone see that he has a mom and actually talks to her!

I have been quite productive this week. Laundry, dishes, laundry, dishes, this morning I've been working on....you know. I get teary eyed off and on, with Monday being toughest. But yesterday, I was putting some clothes away in Allison's closet and organizing, and knocked off the little lambie pull-toy that started to play the little lullaby when it hit the floor. I must've knocked it again, because it played a few more notes a little later. Oh, sadness. Well, I must be off to go ride my bike to the park and run a couple of laps, because I'm just going to sit here and cry if I don't. Oh, and I slipped in some visiting teaching this week---my companion and I said "no tears" and we both did great!

I think it was just yesterday

Yes, it was. It was just yesterday that TANNER was getting his awards from 2nd grade! And now, he's in 3rd grade!

We found out that he gets to play on the Warriors Football team again this fall. We weren't sure which team he would end up on.....maybe Miller's? There are only about 4 boys from Corey, so they have to be added to another team. We're so thrilled to be back with the Warriors. That team has boys from Wood and Moore and a fantastic Coach Randell.

Tanner is in a classroom with not very many students this year, maybe only about 12. His teacher is on maternity leave. So, school for him will REALLY start in a few days when his class will be dispersed and he will have a permanent teacher. Until then, he's doing just fine.

In a brown paper bag, he could take 3 things that represented himself. He took a picture of a football, a game cube controller and a baseball. He's started cursive and says it's hard.

I'll be anxious to hear who his teacher will be for homeroom, and also for his other subjects, as they start to change for more subjects this year. In 2nd grade he had 2 core teachers:
Mrs. Prince and Ms. Schrader.

Connor's First Day of 5th Grade

Connor is in Mrs. Doskocil's homeroom class. His good friends Joshua and Shazib are in many of his classes. I think Kenneth may be in some, too. He took his cello up yesterday. He is trying so hard to be optimistic (he's such a little worrier---can that be genetic?) I'm so proud of him. He does his homework first thing after school and helps prod Tanner along in the morning when Tanner is being pokey. He's ready for fall soccer....I hope his cleats from spring still fit :)

Bishops

Last Sunday, Connor and Tanner were playing chess at the kitchen table. I overheard them talking about the "Bishops." It went something like this:

Connor, "Here's Bishop Kokenes. He's retired, that's why he's off the board."

Tanner, "Here's Bishop Black. He's awesome."

Connor, "Here's Bishop Speirs. He's on my side."

I guess the boys really do pay attention to who their bishops are.

I'm grateful for everyone, including "Bishops" who help my boys become good men.

Chess pieces
	King
	Queen
	Rook
	Bishop
	Knight

Tanner Water Boarding

Connor water boarding

At the 4th Grade Awards at the end of the school year, an award was given to about 6 boys and 6 girls. I think this one was solely chosen by the teachers (as opposed to last years' award where the students got a say). Anyways, it's always fun to have someone else say good things about your child:

Underneath a shy little grin is a student that puts his best effort into everything he attempts. He is never satisfied unless he believes he has perfected the project or assignment. He is academically strong in every subject, respected by his peers who enjoy his dry sense of humor, and admired by his teachers for his gentlemanly manners and cooperative attitude. He enjoys science, math, sports, and video games. All, he says I always tell the truth even in difficult situations, and I share with my little sister. Congratulations to Connor Greenwood.

-Mrs. Dowd
Fourth Grade Teacher