back to school round two

I think this is how we all felt when schools closed down last March.

And when they stayed closed.

And then when the start of school was postponed and the calendar year was adjusted to take away our longer fall and spring breaks.

And then we had to do virtual school.

But here we are finally taking steps towards normal school again! And back to in person instruction for half of the kids.


Happy, happy days!


This little Brinna Lou started at preschool for two mornings a week.

I can not believe how much she is growing up.

Hands down, three year olds are the best!


Maybe a little emotional and sassy, too. But I love everything about this three year old of ours.

I'm excited for her to have some new experiences at preschool. 


Though I very much miss her, I think the time at school is so good.





She gives me the best I love you squishy faces.

The best.

Oh, we love her so!

That cheese grin!

Perry and Layla have started in person instruction as well. Perry got to go to school a week before Layla did. Perry rides the bus. Layla and I walk to school each morning. There was a lot of big feelings about the requirement to wear masks. However, even though we still don't like it, Layla and Perry will both wear face shields. Perry has a medical exemption so they are not supposed to be pushing him about it. And when they did it caused some big behaviors. So, it's a year of learning and adjustment. But we are happy these guys all have in person instruction right now. And we can't wait for the high schoolers to get to go back, too!!

back to school 2020

This school year will be another unlike any other. 

School was supposed to start July 22. Our district asked every family to decide if they wanted to their kids to go to school in person or online. Then due to Covid restrictions in the state, schools couldn't open until August 17th. Our district then decided to start everyone online on August 5th. Then those who wanted to transition to in person could. Our two weeks of break in the fall and in the spring were shortened to one week. As we were starting virtual school, our district changed the plan again and decided kids wouldn't be returning to school until at least second quarter.

I don't want my feelings and thoughts to distract from the purpose of this post--which is to celebrate the beginning of a new school year for my children. But I can't write this without expressing how strongly I feel that families should be given the option to start in person school or not. It worries me sick to think of the children with special needs or experiencing abuse and neglect and the vital role our schools play in the lives of those kiddos. Children NEED schools. Virtual teaching is not real teaching. It is a very, very poor substitute at best and a joke and waste of time at worst. Teachers are amazing and their hard work shows, but kids need real connection and real assessment, scaffolding, and experiences to do their best learning. I do feel optimistic about this school year and there is much that we are blessed with and I know we will be ok. But I worry about kids across our country and the decisions that are being made on their behalf without their voice.

Rant over.

Because we are ready for a great school year no matter how different it looks!

 

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Back to school photos took place on all different days and at all different times. Which is reflective of the year.

Layla girl is in 3rd grade now! She is starting at our new neighborhood school this year. It will be/has been a whole new experience for us as it is a traditional model of teaching and the kids all wear uniforms. We really wanted her to attend our neighborhood school, but I have been very unsure of the "traditional" approach and I am so not a fan of uniforms at all. But we prayed and talked about it and we let Layla make the decision. She was nervous when she first started thinking about changing schools, but, after we discussed the options with her, she accepted the invitation to think about it on her own and then pray about it. After that, she came to us with peace and confidence that she had decided to attend this new school. We are proud of her for learning how to make a big decision. 

She picked a new backpack. She opted for a more grown up look this year.

Even though her school days have been all at home, she has chosen to wear her school uniforms just about every day. And no shoes.

She has four times a day that she is supposed to meet with her teacher and class for instruction. If we miss a meet, which we do at least once every single day, then she can watch the recorded lessons. But usually I just teach her the lesson myself. Sometimes that happens at 8pm at night. She doesn't mind doing school work at night if it means she can stay up a little longer. Haha. She has a list of assignments to complete each day. Thankfully, we did get two laptops from the school district to borrow for the year. That has worked out because we definitely do not have enough devices for four kids at one time to be learning virtually.

This sweet boy is in 4th grade! I can not believe how much he has grown up. It is weird to think that he is not in his early childhood days anymore. He has a new teacher this year. He goes to in person learning two times a week in the morning. The other days he has a short meet with his teacher and class and a few paper/pencil assignments. It is quick and easy. Maybe a little too easy. But I am hoping that we will find a groove and his teacher will get to know him better and we will be able to help him learn and grow a lot. Thankfully, we have found an awesome respite provider who can be here in the mornings when he doesn't have school to help Perry stay on task and working towards his goals.

Perry has been really excited to play with friends a couple of times each week. He loves listening to Harry Potter on audible every night, too. He is becoming more independent in the kitchen and with his time and that is a lovely thing to see. This guy brings a lot of love to our family.

Kacin is a sophomore! This is going to be a good year for this guy. He is happy and confident. He has a good class schedule. He decided to join cross country and he is continuing on with wrestling. He is a sweet, fun guy to be around. He is maturing so much. I am proud of him and excited to see all that he will do this year.

He opted to take two of his classes online and then if school ever resumes in person then he will have four classes and seminary in person.


And this guy is starting his Junior year. How is that so?? I hope he gets to live it up this year! 

Kyler is wise and hardworking. He has a good mix of interesting classes. And a job. He is running cross country and will do wrestling again, too.

He is doing a similar schedule to Kacin with a couple classes online the whole year and the other classes will be in person as soon as that can happen. 

It's a very untraditional back to school, but we really are making the best of it. We are staying flexible, but working hard. This will be a good year!!

back to school 2018

I love our shorter summer breaks and our longer breaks throughout the school year here in the desert. But, oh man, did this school year sneak right up on us! And after a summer unlike any other summer (surgery and chemo), we were obviously not as prepared for the school year.

Our back to school shopping dates happened. They just looked different. I took each of the kids out individually to pick out a backpack and a few basic supplies. But Eric came along for some of them and they were all super short trips. And it wasn't until the night before school started that I realized that Layla and Perry didn't even get as much as a new shirt to wear for the first day of school! Oh well. 

One of my biggest chemo worries was that I would be so sick I would miss taking my children to meet their teachers. I love that part of being a mom. It is important to me to share their excitement and comfort their nerves the first time they see their new classroom. And, admittedly, it’s for my sake too—I want to be able to picture where my kids are and that they are safe with someone I trust all day. The night before my first chemo, I received a priesthood blessing. It was a beautiful, comforting blessing. In it, I was blessed that my side effects would be minimal compared to what they could be and I would still be able to do the things as a mom that were important to me. So while my first chemo week was really, really hard and it was not easy on me (I was weak and cloudy brained and light headed), I made it to every back to school event! I call that a miracle. 

Eric dropped Kyler and I (I'm not safe to drive most days on this chemo) off at the High School. Yes, the high school!! Kyler is in high school now which is wild. We stood in some long lines, but we got his schedule and his fees paid. I might have embarrassed him because the line to pay fees was so long that I actually asked for a chair to sit back by the wall while Kyler stayed in line for awhile (I decided sitting for awhile like that was probably less embarrassing than passing out). Kyler was super nice about it, of course. He is a wonderful kid.

Later was Kacin's back to school. Eric came along for the first time. I was struggling that afternoon and needed him to drive (and hold me up, haha). We got Kacin's schedule and met his teachers. He is so ready for his 8th grade year. Jr. High is good to Kacin.



And then it was meet the teacher at the elementary school. Let's just say Layla was not enthusiastic about going back to school and meeting her teacher. But her teacher was really nice!



Perry was also not thrilled about starting school again. He has a new teacher, but because his autism program works closely together across the grades, he was familiar with the teacher and her room. He will shine as a second grader.



Remember how I said Layla was less than enthusiastic about starting school? Well, the first grade application her teacher asked her to fill out proves my point. Yep, she totally circled no when asked if she follows directions. When I questioned her answer, she said "Fine!" in defeat and erased it. Though the rest of the application didn't get much better. Oh, Layla girl! Ha! I will report though that after two weeks of school, she is doing well and she loves her new teacher.



First day of school pictures!

We thought we were going to avoid the early mornings when we moved to Arizona since they have release time seminary. Unfortunately, no. Kyler's full schedule has him leaving at 6:10am each morning. I'm so glad he is so responsible. I got up early the first morning to snap this picture, but haven't been up that early many days since. He's a good looking 9th grader.



Here's our sweet 1st grader.





Perry is thrilled to be in 2nd grade.








B needed in on the pictures.



There is a two hour difference between when Kyler leaves for school and Kacin. So Kacin has some time with us in the mornings, but his afternoons are terribly short.

He is such a fantastic 8th grader.


And he clearly loves back to school kisses from his dad.






School is off to a great start. The kids are blessed with good teachers, safe schools, lots of opportunities, and good friends around them. I know this school year will be a good one!