Back to School

Well, hello little blog!  It's been a while ... seems I've fallen victim to a different form of social media (Instagram) much to the neglect of this corner of my world.  That and the fact that, well, life is busy.

So, here we are finishing up week four of the new school year.  Here's where the LilyKids are at:

Jack - Jack is in 7th grade this year.  At some schools this would mark the first year of junior high, but we have a middle school for 5th - 8th grade so being at the middle school / junior school is quite familiar.  The year is off to a great start - I honestly think football has influenced his school habits (we noticed the same thing last year), I think it has been the discipline of the sport.  Aside from getting a little sidetracked with the "eraser challenge" along with nearly everyone else at school, 7th grade is going great! 

Jack is our busiest outside of home, by far.  From the end of the baseball season, we did a family road trip for a week, he went to camp for a week and then football started.  He has a few weeks of football left and then will transition to basketball.  He also took hunter's safety so will be hunting with Jason this fall (as his schedule permits, of course - ha!).  And, he's doing youth group with a buddy from school.  He exhausts us (in many ways!).

Samuel - Samuel is in 4th grade this year. His year is also off to a great start, he's transitioned back into the school year like a champ.  It's an exciting year as he is the oldest at the elementary school.  He is one of only two boys asked to be a "Bus Buddy" this year.  This means that he is assigned two junior kindergarteners to get on the bus in the afternoon, a big responsibility for the selected 4th graders.  They even had a "meeting" with the Principal.  He also got to be on flag duty this week, another privilege.

Samuel is a homebody for sure so it's wonderful to see him blossom at school and to see him being selected for these types of activities.

Lydia - Lydia started junior kindergarten this year.  JK is the equivalent to 4k, it's just fancy like that in our school district (hehe).  She goes to school four mornings a week.  The transition was fairly easy for her.  For about the first two weeks she did, however, neglect to eat snack at school because she was a little intimidated by the independence and responsibility of pouring her own milk and getting a snack.  She has since realized that snack is worth a little intimidation! 

Nora - Nora started early childhood (a preschool program) this year.  She is at our elementary school (same as Samuel and Lydia) so that she can continue to get speech as part of the program.  The first two weeks or so were rough - lots of tears (Samuel's classroom is on the other side of Nora's so he would come home and report if he heard her crying in the morning).  Nora also goes to school four mornings a week, like Lydia, and they are across the hall from one another.

After the initial transition, Nora is blossoming!  We are so thankful for her very patient, very outgoing, and very loving teacher.  Nora is very proud of going to school and is always eager to show us papers from her backpack. 

To keep this real, while I'd love to post a happy picture of Nora, this is what the first day of school looked like.  Poor girl.  I couldn't even get her to look at me for a picture.  Change is hard for this girl, but she is adjusting to school like a boss!

So, that's the back to school update for September 2014! 

Lately ...

Seems my poor little blog corner has seen some neglect due to life moving at a rapid pace, not to mention the ease of "story telling" through photo posting on Instagram.  So, in a quick recap, what have we been up to these past two weeks?

Lydia had a date with her cousin (of course, my SIL and I had to chaperon) to get pedicures.  Super fun! 

 Jack's baseball team took 2nd place in a tourney ...

The boys and I went on a Starbucks date ... this is one excited boy (definitely a treat) ...

 

Samuel had Field Day at school with fun and games, and the girls got to hang out with the 3rd and 4th graders and play on the school playground ...

The boys completed the school year, I somehow now have a 4th grader and a 7th grader (in denial) ...

And, today Jason and I celebrated our 15th anniversary ... not quite sure how that can be!

But I do know I'm a blessed mama and wife for sure!

Pomp and Circumstance

Well, hello blog!  It's been a busy week - baseball games, practices, middle school performances, sports therapy appointments, speech therapy, physical therapy, work ... and preschool graduation.  Miss Lydia graduated from our beloved preschool program this week.  This mama was left wondering how this could be ...

 

 

To celebrate we took our girl to the bakery for a treat ...

 

 

 

Thumbs up to being a preschool graduate!

"Graduation" Sunday

Next Sunday is graduation Sunday at church - happens a few times a year when the preschool and younger kids who have had birthdays move to their next Sunday school class.  This was Lydia's last Sunday in "twos and threes", next week she moves to "fours and fives" while Nora stays in twos and threes.  This will be the first time that Nora doesn't have her mother hen with her in Sunday school. 

It could go so many different ways for both of the girls ... praying that it's a smooth transition.  Another milestone for Nora (and Lydia) as they gain independence.

Valentines a la Pinterest

Ah, good 'ole Pinterest ... never fails to suck precious moments from my day IF I let myself get absorbed, but in great Pinterest fashion it did not fail to deliver on some fun Valentine ideas for the kids' exchanges.

We did the same for both Samuel and Lydia's class (Samuel's exchange is tomorrow, and Lydia's was today).  Samuel wrote his name on his, and Jack graciously wrote out the all of Samuel's classmates' names (I think that Jack is secretly missing the days when he got to do classroom parties). 

Lydia just learned to write her name and did some of hers.  And, Nora helped sort ... and stack ... and sort ... and order the Starburst. 

It was fun to see what Lydia brought home from her exchange today ... and so obvious that there are a few other children in her class that may have Pinterest obsessed Moms.

Preschool Perspectives

Lydia started school this year, a preschooler ... still makes me pause to wonder how that happened.  We have been blessed to be able to have each of the LilyKids go the John Michael Kohler Arts Center preschool for one year, before entering our school district.  This is Lydia's year.  We love this program. 

Last weekend, "Preschool Perspectives" opened, a tradition of the preschool is to exhibit the work of the children in one of the galleries for a few weeks. 

JMKAC has many unique opportunities for children (as well as families and adults too).  We've also done Toddler Art Time with each of the kids, Nora will get her turn later this Spring.  If you click on the link you may just see this photo of Jason and Samuel (from approximately 7 years ago) which the Arts Center still uses for publications and such.  This is one of my faves!   

It's clear we love the Arts Center, but we are debating breaking tradition this fall.  This summer Nora will turn three, and she would be entering the program in the fall.  But, we are considering our options and whether this program or an early learning program in our school district would be better for her and her continued speech and development journey before she "formally" starts school. 

Decisions, decisions ...    

First Day of School {9.03.2013}

Jack ~ 6th Grade

 

Samuel ~ 3rd Grade

 

Lydia ~ Preschool

 

New Tradition ~ Normally Jack and Samuel get their photo together in front of Owen's dragonfly, but Samuel wasn't up and ready in time to pose with Jack this year unlike last year when he surprised me!

 

Her first day of school ever ... sigh ...

And, this is what happens when you blink ...

Here we are, already at the end of another school year!  How can it be that these boys flew through 5th and 2nd grade?  It seems I was just contemplating Jack's integration into the Middle School, and now the school is year is already at an end.

When I say "flew through" I do not, certainly, mean without incident.  We have many stories from this year that make me laugh and question, especially with Jack, if he is really my child.  And, so many other stories that confirm, yes, the apple does not fall far from the tree.  What a joy to parent these boys!

To commemorate the end of the school year, I spent the afternoon hanging out with Samuel guy at the elementary school.  Then, at the end of his school day, Jack walked over from the Middle School.

Samuel's teacher, one of our absolute favorites, was also Jack's teacher for 2nd grade.  When Jack was in 2nd grade we had Lydia, and this year we picked up Nora.  We have been so blessed by this teacher and the love she has shown our boys and our family.  It was certainly a memorable year and the way she loved on Samuel when we were in China was above and beyond.  How we love her and hope that the girls will also fly through 2nd grade with her!

Aside from being the last day of school, today also marks a milestone as it was one year ago today that Jack had his seizure. I realize that I really haven't blogged much in follow-up to that. I am so thankful that it seems it was an isolated incident with no other occurrences ... but I wouldn't be honest if I didn't say that it still worries me especially hen he's hanging out with friends, sleeping over at friend's houses, etc. 

Thankful for these gifts which He has so graciously given us.

First Day of School (2012)

The first day of school is upon us as are our traditional first day photos.

The Fifth Grader

Yes, today marked Jack's first day at the Middle School.  And, he had a fabulous day.  So thankful ... this is the first year that Samuel hasn't been at the same school as Jack, but he did great as well!

The Second Grader

Last night as I was looking forward to this morning it dawned on me that I likely wouldn't get my photo of the boys together this morning as Jack starts an hour ahead of Samuel.  And, many of you know that Samuel isn't one to get up early.  But, much to my surprise I ran in the house this morning after packing up the car and there he was, all dressed and everything. 

The Boys - September 4th, 2012

And, when it was time for Samuel to go to school, our little firecracker also wanted to be in a photo (oh girl, how long before you are protesting getting your photo taken with bed head and jammies on?! Too soon, I'm sure!).

And, yes, the boys, on their own, chose their first day outfits which included their Bringing Home Nora tees from our fundraiser.  Jack also took some family photos for inside of his locker, including one of Nora.  Love these boys!  They are rough and tumble, but they also have soft and compassionate hearts.

Here's to the start of a new year ahead, sure to be filled with adventure and growth!

Our Week in Review

We have had a full week, full of a few unexpected twists and turns and some pretty significant milestones.  The week started out fairly normal with the official start of baseball (Jack's first game of the season) and the wind-down at school as the kids had their end of year field trips.

On Wednesday night came the unexpected which landed Jack an ambulance ride to the ER. Shortly after the boys had fallen asleep, Jason and I heard an odd sound from their room.  We found Jack in a full seizure (only we didn't know it was a seizure at the time as we had never seen anyone seize before).  Admittedly, it was horrible to see our child in this state and quite frightening as Jack came out of the seizure and was unresponsive, couldn't focus, couldn't squeeze my hand, speech was slurred, etc..  They did blood tests and a CT Scan at the hospital, the results of which showed nothing unusual.  Later this week we will see a pediatric neurologist, and Jack will have an MRI and an EEG.  We are praying that the doctor will get a better understanding whether this is a onetime thing or if it might occur again.  Until we know more, Jack has a few restrictions - no biking, no swimming, no climbing, no video games.  He can play baseball though!!!!  I have a whole new perspective and compassion for families with children that have seizure disorders.

Looking at Jack Thursday morning already, you would have never known what had happened Wednesday evening.  And, best of all, his doctor gave him the a-okay to go to school Thursday afternoon.  So thankful for that as it was his last day of school and a milestone - his last day as a student at the elementary school!

Here are a few pictures from the last day of school - so thankful for these kiddos of ours!

Last Day at the Elementary School Together

Love this teacher ... she was my 1st grade teacher, Jack's and Samuel's

What a great year Jack had under his teacher's instruction

And, today we unexpectedly ended up hanging out with Jon and Rita and the kids again.  The kids (um, Jason and Jon inclusive) had such a fun day of just being kids!

Before this though, I have to highlight that in a way that only God can orchestrate after a week like this, He spoke to my heart in the message this morning which was "just" two short verses from Philippians (3:10-11):

that I may know him and the power of his resurrection, and may share his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, that by any means possible I may attain the resurrection from the dead.

If we know Christ, if we understand the power of his resurrection, we will find that we cannot overcome our circumstances but it is the power of his resurrection that allows us to overcome our trials.  It is the resurrection that gives us the ability to cope when things don't go exactly as we've planned and when we do not understand the purpose.  We have hope in Him.  This is not to say that I'm not still a nervous nelly and that I'm not still fearful as I am ... I am a work in progress.

The Artist(s)

No, this isn't a review of the Oscar winning film The Artist.  It is a review of our little artists.  Lydia and I did a Toddler Art Time class this month.  So much fun!  And, the teacher was Jack's preschool teacher and Samuel's Toddler Art Time teacher.  Jason took a few sessions of this class when Samuel was 2-3 years old (and became somewhat famous for it in advertisements for the Arts Center where this is offered ~ showing up in many advertisements for the Arts Center).  In fact, this photo is still used today and is often on their site in Fall and Winter as the sign-up photo for Toddler Art Time. It is a great photo!

And, here's a glimpse into little missy getting a little messy! 

This post was originally just going to be about Toddler Art Time ... BUT, the boys had their annual spring break sleepover with their cousins, and they did this SUPER COOL project.  So, here they are with their masterpieces (Rita, you are so creative!!!).



Laura Ingalls Wilder Day

Last week at school Jack had a Laura Ingalls Wilder Day where the kids dressed in costume.  They spent the day making candles, dancing, tin punching, making treats, sewing, etc.  It happened to be the same day that Jason volunteers in Samuel's classroom.  So, he spent the morning in Samuel's classroom and the afternoon with Jack's class.  Such a good Daddy ...

 Jack, do you think the boys wore Nike baseball socks in LIW days?

 Jason and Jack Candle Dipping

And, this little lady? 

When Jason volunteers at school, Lydia hangs out with "Gamma" Goose ~ these two get a little lot crazy together.  Jason does appreciate coming home on these days and finding that Gamma has fixed Lydia's hair (Jason will be the first to admit that he still hasn't quite conquered the little rubberbands and getting her hair into piggies).

Headliner

It is with wonder that I look at Jack, Samuel and Lydia and think how similar they are and yet how different as well.  We had an event at school this past week where, on the spot, Samuel volunteered to go on stage and tell a joke.  Jack would never do that.  In fact, Jack was embarrassed that even Samuel went up there.

I didn't get a photo of Samuel actually telling his joke as I was on the edge of the bleacher, waiting with baited breath to see what joke Samuel was going to even tell. 

In case you were wondering, here is the joke he told:

   What is a horse's favorite drink?
   Lemon-neigggggghed!

And, he did great!!!!  Way to go, Samuel!!!! 

And, even though Jack was initially embarrassed, he was looking rather proud when even Jack's friends were coming up and telling Samuel that they liked his joke!

First Day of School ... A Little Tardy

Well, hello there. Remember me? Life in general and falling into a school year rhythm has kept us a bit occupied. In addition, I had been preparing for and was on a business trip (here’s a hint as to where I was).

Finally, here is one of our annual first day of school pictures. Jack is in 4th grade now and rules the roost at the elementary school, and Samuel is in 1st grade. Once again, we are blessed with amazing teachers. If this past first month of the school year is any indication of what the remainder of the school year will be like, it’s going to be a really good year. Jack has been having some really, and I quote, “awesome-dy awesome” days. And, Samuel is really enjoying life as a 1st grader with a teacher that I also had in 1st grade and Jack had as well. Tradition and memories, bliss.

And, this little lady? She is adjusting to the boys being gone during the day.  For the first week of the school year, she cried when the boys got out of the car to go into school ... we're not sure if she was sad that they were leaving or if she was just mad that she wasn't going with them.  As innocent as she looks, this sweet one is our little “master of disaster” leaving a wake where she goes.