School's Out For Summer

I love summer!! I love having my kids home with me all day. I love not having a schedule. I love just relaxing and taking it easy. I love summer, therefore, the last day of school is one of my favorite days of the year.

Here in our school district, the last day of school is just like any other day of the year  It is a full day of school where the kids still go to their various classes. Este and Ethan both refused to go. If you asked them, they were quite ill. Este met some friends for lunch so Ethan and I headed out to Chick-fil-A.  It was crowded but oh so nice to spend some one on one time with Ethan. Of course he refused any sort of picture and I decided it wasn't worth pushing the issue and making him upset so you just have to imagine Ethan and I bonding over my salad and his spicy chicken sandwich.

The last day of school marked AJ's last year in middle school. Yep, I now have a senior, junior, and a freshman in high school. I knew this day would come but, it just seemed like such a long way away years ago. Anyway, it is tradition in the middle school that the 8th graders make one last ceremonial walk through the school and the other grades cheer them on then the parents greet them at the door.  

It was hard to find AJ in the mosh pit that formed outside of the door. 

Melanie hoisted Jace up on her shoulders so AJ could see where we were. It worked. A few minutes later AJ appeared.

Keeton was quite happy to see AJ until I snapped the photo.

AJ, however, was all smiles to be moving on.

Savanah and Vanessa headed out to school on their bikes. They could have left school early in the day but they wanted to stay the entire day. Poor Savanah wasn't feeling well but she wanted to have one last day with her teacher. 

My last day of school activity is the same as my first day of school activity. 

A pedicure is the only way to go. Several of my friends posted photos of their kids of their kids on the first day of school and the last day of school. Here is the photo of my first day of school and the last day of school.

The perfect way to start the summer.

There's just one major thing missing: a firepit. The hoards and hoards of spelling, math, and writing journals were recycled (boring & yuppy). I kept the important and interesting pieces of work but the rest of it will be part of the next recycled product coming your way.

First Day of School

My boys refused to let me take their pictures this year on the first day of school. I guess that is part life of having teenage boys.

Este is now in high school. They don't start high school here until they are sophomores. He is managing the bigger school, more activities, and harder classes without a problem.

Ethan is in the 9th grade. Although he is not in the high school, his grades will be part of his high school transcripts that are submitted to colleges. I think he is tired of my lectures, but they must be working because his grades are improving.

AJ, as a 7th grader, is the king of the middle school. His favorite classes so far are ceramics and guitar. He enjoys getting home earlier than the other kids even when he takes his time walking home slowly with his friends.

Savanah is starting the third grade. She LOVES going to school. She read books all summer and is happy to be back in class.

Vanessa is starting the first grade. This is the first year she will be in school all day long. She can't wait to eat school lunch (that lasted only a few days). I took this photo just after she found out that I would not staying with her at school all day.

She survived the first day all on her own and every day since.

Learning Experiences

Returning to school has proven to be a learning experience for me. I’m not talking about what I have learned in pathophysiology, English, or history. I’m talking about the more important things I have learned in the past few months.

As Vanessa and I had our homework scattered all over the kitchen table together, I realized that college and kindergarten may not be that different after all. She is learning how sounds and symbols come together to make words. I love watching her as she discovers reading. I am also learning to master language. I am learning that thoughts and words come together to express ideas.

Savanah tries really hard to please her teacher and do everything that is asked of her with perfection. I’m striving to impress my professors as well.

AJ is now in middle school. He just started a new term. He has new classes, schedules, and teachers to figure out. I am also learning to navigate in a new world.

Ethan. He can remember everything he hears or reads yet; he can’t remember to turn his homework in. As a mother I find that frustrating. As a student I have a bit more understanding. We both need to stay on top of our assignments.

Este has his Learner’s Permit. He loves driving. He is gaining confidence in his abilities. I am doing the same in my classes. Stepping out of my comfort zone and learning to have confidence in myself.

These are all the things that I have learned from this experience. I hope that my kids have learned that knowledge is power. There is value in education. I want to be an example for my children. How can I expect them to receive a college degree when I don’t have one myself? I want them to learn the importance of finishing what you started. Your dreams are never out of reach. Sacrifice is always worth the effort.

For all of us, my going back to school has been a learning experience.

Final-ly

I'm done and done with Pathophysiology. Woooo hoooo!

This was a really hard class. I studied my guts out this semester. I went in to the final with a low A. I needed a good grade in this class to not only pull up my overall GPA, but my science GPA up as well. In order to keep my hard earned A, I could only miss 4 out of 80 questions. The final was comprehensive. It covered all the material we have learned since August. Knowing I could only miss 4 on the final, I studied even harder.

I missed 5.

Yep, one stinkin' point! It makes the A- even more painful.

Earlier in the semester, the professor marked an extra point on one of my tests. I went in and told him my actual score. He asked me if I was sure, I told him yes. He changed the score.

Sometimes when you do the right thing, it feels great and you are so happy inside. Other times you do the right thing and it doesn't feel good. It's still the right thing to do.

I'm bothered by the fact that I was so close to an A, but I can honestly say that I earned every single point I received and there is no shame in that.

I've come realize that nursing is a whole lot more than test scores. It's all about doing the right thing.

Back to School

I'm way behind on my blog. This post will explain why.

This year the boys tried to convince me they were too old for the traditional first day of school photo. I had to gently remind them that I am The Mom and they do what I say.

The girls, however, wanted their pictures taken before school,

 on the way to school,

at school, 

and with their teachers.

Yep, all five kids in school now. Ethan asked me what I was going to do all by myself. I told him I'd surely find something to do. In fact, I decided to go back to school myself.

A long, long time ago, I applied to the nursing program while I was still in high school. I applied to the program knowing I wouldn't get in but, they give you an extra point for the next year's application. Well, turns out, I was accepted. Therefore, two weeks after graduating from high school, I started college. My first class was Anatomy and Physiology, the study of the different parts of the body and how they work. That was also the summer that Aaron came home from his mission and we were engaged. (I know, I know, we were so young but, it was the right thing for us.) I moved to Logan that fall and started taking the actual nursing classes at Utah State. I lived in an apartment with great roommates. I tried to have the "college experience" which wasn't much since I was buried in studying and already engaged to the man of my dreams. Since I was straight out of high school, I also had to take all my "general" classes. Most people in the nursing program take their generals before they get into the program. One of my generals that quarter was Microbiology from one of the most infamously hard professors on campus. Did I mention this was all while I was planning a wedding? Academically, I felt like I was trying to just keep my head above water to keep from drowning. My grades were just high enough to stay in the program. Aaron and I were married 4 days after my first quarter at Utah State.

Two months later, we felt we should start our family. I was pregnant soon after making the decision. I studied  prenatal  and pediatric care while pregnant with Esteban. After the first year of nursing school, I was eligible to take the LPN exam to become a Licensed Practical Nurse. I was exhausted and pregnant. We were poor and without heath insurance. We refused to get on government assistance. I only had one more year to finish my RN but, the thought of doing it all was unbearable and we needed money desperately. I chose to drop out of the nursing program. I gave up my dream of being a nurse, for an even bigger dream of being a mom. As a LPN, I was able to help provide for our little family. We made the move to Texas when Esteban was only 6 months old. Had I remained in the program, we never would have moved. The decisions we made during that whirlwind year changed our family forever. I have no regrets.

Fast forward 15 years, I LOVE being a stay-at-home mom (most days). I've started working part time again as a LPN when I can work around my family's schedule. I had started thinking about going back to school to finish my RN. I have to reapply to the program. It is more competitive to get into the second year and only 10 people are accepted each year. I plan to take my generals before I get into the program this time.

One day this summer a friend of mine asked if I wanted to take a Pathophysiology, the study of diseases and how they affect the body, class with her. She is trying to get into the nursing program herself. I thought about it and decided to go ahead and do it.  Anatomy and Physiology are pre-requisites. Patho is the hardest class I have to take before getting back into the program. I jumped in with both feet. I had to re-train my brain to learn and memorize. For most students in class, they took anatomy last semester. The anatomy in this class is just a review for them. For me, however, my anatomy class was 15 years ago. I have to study twice as much in order to learn it all over again. It has been hard to realize that I have to take tests and be graded on my knowledge (This is something you don't have to worry about when you are a stay-at-home mom. You are tested in other ways. My patience is tested almost daily.)

This time around, I am a better student. I understand the sacrifice of time and money that that I have to make in order to go to school. I try to make it fun for my kids. Ethan can tell you all about graft rejection hypersensitivities. We compare grades and I understand better how hard it is to pull an "A" in a class. The kids giggle when they see me come in the door wearing a backpack. They loved the fact that when Aaron gave them all back-to-school blessings, I just got in line with them. I was promised that if I put the Lord and my family first, I will do well in my class. I juggle laundry, cooking, and cleaning around studying cancer on a cellular level and spinal cord injuries. I've learned to balance and prioritize. I feel the Lord bless me as I do my best. My life right now is crazy busy but, I wouldn't trade it for the world!

....Now We Are Engaged in This Great Civil War.....

Traditionally, the fifth graders at the local elementary reenact the Civil War with waterballoons on the last day of school. The kids look forward to it every year. Even the younger kids look forward to the final event in elementary school. Parents stake out their lawn chairs and the younger grades come to watch.

The participant's names are drawn out of a hat. This is what determines what side of the "battlefield" they will fight from. AJ was devastated that he was placed on the Union side. He really wanted to be a Confederate soldier. I pointed out to him that the North won the war and freed the slaves. He pointed out that he is a Texan and his ancestors (on Aaron's side) fought for the South. After I talked to his teacher and she wouldn't let him switch sides, he resigned himself to be a Confederate spy.

There is a story behind the hats. A few years ago, the teachers called on moms to sew the hats together. As with most sewing projects, it turned out to be more of a project than anticipated. There were about 10 moms that brought their sewing machines to school every day and we set up a little sweat shop in the teacher's lounge. It took about a week and a half. It was actually fun and I got to know some women that I otherwise wouldn't have met. I can't take much credit because I'm not much of a sewer (I think that came out wrong.) Anyway, the teachers protect those hats year after year. I think they know those of us who sewed the hats would start a civil war if anything happened to them.

The kids are placed in companies and march out together. The narrator is a local historian who dressed the part.

AJ didn't tell me he had a speaking part. He wanted to surprise me.

The kids lined up, loaded their cannons (T-shirts), and then all heck broke loose.

This is AJ's close friend Josh. His facial expression sums it all up.

During the reenactment of Pickett's Charge, the Confederate fighters had to lay down after being hit and pretend to be dead. Well, the North just kept throwing those water balloons. It looks like "General Pickett" wasn't sure what to think. At that point I wonder if AJ was happy to be a Union soldier after all.

One of the most poignant moments of the reenactment was when a group of kids recited the Gettyburg Address while others simulated the gravestones marking that hallowed ground.

After the battles were finished, the kids acted as scavangers, picking up broken balloon pieces. Scavanging actually took place after Civil War battles.

I have to admit when the bugler played "Taps" at the end of the program, I got a bit teary eyed as I thought of all the men and women who gave their lives for this country so I can enjoy the many freedoms that I have.

On this Memorial day, I simply and humbly say, thank you.

We Didn't Start The Fire

Just a few days ago we had our annual last day of school bon fire where we burned the kid's school work. Ironically enough, Esteban's report ended up on top.

This is something the kids and I really look forward to.  For us, it is the official start to summer, a chance to put the school year behind us and start anew.

At one point Savanah said, "I can smell 2nd grade already!" We were all pretty smelly after being out in the smoke.

We didn't just burn the school work, we cooked dinner and s'mores over it. I've noticed every time we are around the campfire there is always a great debate as to what the perfect method to roasting hotdogs and marshmallows. I prefer lightly toasted on all sides. Ethan prefers burnt.

For Savanah, the gooier, the better.

Vanessa didn't even wait to cook the marshmallows. She prefers them straight out of the bag.

While most people have dogs to clean up under the table, we have chickens to do the dirty work.

As long as I don't have to do it, I don't care who does it.

Pomp and Circumstance

Vanessa recently "graduated" from preschool. Is that considered a major accomplishment? In her mind it was.

At her preschool they do a full cap-and-gown-pomp-and-circumstance graduation. My three boys did big kindergarten graduations in Texas. Savanah is our only child who did not participate in this wonderful experience. I told her when she gets her doctorate degree in Veterinary Science (her current career choice) I will take a picture and we'll celebrate. Preschool/kindergarten graduations and even high school graduations, are just expected in our family. The real celebrating comes with college and post graduate degrees. In the meantime, this graduation was really cute!

Vanessa was so excited! She practiced her alphabet in sign language for weeks. They sang Lee Greenwood's God Bless the USA. She was ecstactic when I showed her she could put that song on her playlist. She did well with her speaking part. She said, "When I see the American flag, I put my hand over my heart because I love this country." Aaron tried to get her to say, "...because I love Texas." She chose to follow teacher's instructions.

Each child also said what they wanted to be when they grow up. Several boys said Spiderman, one little girl said a mermaid, and another said she wanted to be a cat when she grows up. Vanessa was going to say she wanted to be a nurse (I was such a proud mamma.). In the end, she said she wanted to be a dancer. What? It's a good thing there are post graduate degrees in dance available.

She was happy to stand next to her best friend, Madi. These two are virtually inseparable.

I think they get along so well because Madi does everything Vanessa tells her to do. Madi doesn't seem to mind at all. Poor girl. Here is a photo of them that was shown during the slideshow presentation at graduation.

In fact, Vanessa has become an adopted grandchild to one set of Madi's grandparents. When Madi's grandpa wasn't going to be able to attend graduation ceremony, they had a party at her house. Grandpa brought flowers for each of the graduates (tulips from his garden), a diploma, and a gift.

The girls sang their songs.

and opened their gifts. Is is any wonder why Vanessa had a loose tooth at the time?

Maybe it's not the accomplishment of a lifetime but, it was fun to see and participate in all the pomp and circumstance involved in preschool graduation.

It's That Time Again

It's that time again. The new school year has arrived. I'm not sure that I like it. I love having my kids home all summer. Sure, nothing stays clean, there is more food to cook and clean-up after, and the house is always noisy. There is also no homework, alarm clocks, or schedule. Yeah!

Esteban is in the 8th grade. He is starting Jr. High. He is stressed that his locker doesn't lock and the teachers are going to pile on the homework which may interrupt his soccer schedule. Instead of catching the bus on our corner, he rides his bike a mile to his friend's house so he can ride the bus with his friends.Ethan is in the 7th grade in the middle school. He can remember everything he hears or reads. He can't remember to turn his homework in. Frustrating! We are hoping this year is better than last. He loves, loves, loves his ceramic class.AJ is in the 5th grade. This is his last year in elementary school. He has the teacher I wanted and the friends he wanted in class this year.

Savanah is ecstatic to be going to school all day in the 1st grade. She was excited to eat school lunch but, I think she is learning it's not all that it's cracked up to be. She is happy that her teacher is nice. She was so worried about getting a mean teacher. Vanessa is starting preschool. I kept all my other kids home for preschool (I have a hard time letting my kids go so I delay it as long as possible). Vanessa will be our first child to be home alone. All the others had at least one sibling with them. Not only is Vanessa alone, she is the youngest (code for spoiled), and she needs to learn that she in not the center of the universe. (Something I struggle to teach her.) So, today she put on her backpack and Tinkerbell shoes, applied a layer of lip-gloss, and off she went.

Now I'm left alone for the first time in almost 14 years. I have a long list of things to do yet, I don't know where to start. I guess I'll start by updating my blog.

Flat Out Bribery

Ethan recently had to give a report in Social Studies on a foreign country. He chose Venezuela, which is where Aaron served his mission. I think Ethan found it interesting to learn more about the country that Aaron loves so dearly.

A few years ago, when Aaron was traveling to Venezuela on a monthly basis, he and his brother decided to make a Venezuelan Monopoly game. On his various trips, he would come home with stacks of Venezuelan money. The game never came to pass so Aaron let Ethan use the money for his report.

As Ethan and his partner started their presentation in class, he told them there would be a reward for all the kids who participated. The class really perked up. Every time somebody gave a correct answer Ethan gave them $10, $50, or $100 Bolivars (Venezuelan money). Is that considered bribery? Well, what ever it is, it worked. Their presentation had the most classroom participation. They received 275 out of 250 possible points. It wasn't until the very end of the presentation that Ethan told them it took over 2000 Bolivars to equal $1 US Dollar. Even those with $100 only had a small fraction of a penny.

School Lunch

You may not know but, this week is National Eat School Lunch Week. Only those of us with kids in elementary school would know this little tid-bit of information. What does it mean? Parents are invited to eat school lunch with their kids.

Vanessa, Savanah, and I ate lunch with AJ today. Since the girls wanted to sit by their cool older brother, I was privileged to sit by some of the kids in his class. The boys had a chocolate milk chugging contest, the girls had a belching contest, and my favorite, I heard the rumor going around that the teachers have a hot tub in the faculty room they use while the kids are out at lunch recess.

It was an enlightening experience. Ahhhh, the life of a 4th grader.

Superstar

Savanah received these glasses from a party she went to last week. She wears them everywhere. She thinks they make her look older. She wants to be a teenager. I don't want her to be a teenager.She is at a really fun age. I love it when kids are just learning to read and write. It is fun to see them soak up information. She is loving school. They have studied the letters L, O, and G. She writes the word "log" all the time. This week they are studying the letter H. I pointed out to her that now she can write the word "hog". This made her giggle. She also learned to write "stop" and "go". She wrote the words on separate pieces of paper. Now when I drive she holds up the word go. As I approach a stop sign she hurries and switches the papers so I know what I need to do. What would I do without her help?

First.

Yesterday, was the first day of school for Savanah. She has been excited and nervous for weeks. I begged her to stay home with me but, she informed me, "I have to grow up, Mom." I guess she has a point. Here she is ready to go on her bike.She is our first child to have a kindergarten assessment. Here, they test the kids before school starts to know what level they are on. I was so worried. None of our kids went to preschool so, I felt like it was an assessment of my mothering abilities. Her teacher said she did fine.

She is our first child to where a skirt, headband, and pearl necklace to school. I am always happy if I get the boys hair combed before they walk out the door. Now I have to worry about matching hair accessories.

She was the first one in class that day. She would have been to school an hour earlier but, I told her she had to wait till her teacher arrived. She was the first to sit in her seat so Vanessa sat down next to her while they waited for the rest of the class to get there.The school posted class lists last spring. She was so excited to finally meet her teacher. She seems really nice and I think it will be a great year! She is our first child to go to half-day kindergarten. She is only there for 2 1/2 hours in the morning. Texas has all day kindergarten.

This is the first time I only have one child at home. Vanessa was happy to go to the school twice in one day. The time Savanah is gone goes by quickly.

All in all, Savanah seemed to enjoy her day. I think it was harder on me than on her. In fact, as we walked into the school she said, "Mom, you don't need to hold my hand." (Talk about break my heart. I thought we had at least a few more years of good hand holding time.)