I was reading about when Derek would talk about America all the time and it reminded me if when we were at the state DI tournament Derek was separated from us.  If your going to lose a kids do it at Disneyland or a DI tournament. All the people there are awesome. The lady that helped him reported to us that he knew his name, his parents' names and he told her he was from America.

I didn't post about DI. Both Megan and Emma's team got to go to state.  Emma's won third there. That was perfect for me because then they wouldn't have to go to nationals. Mike and his partner Jonathan did an amazing job at regionals and were awarded the "Spirit of DI award." I am proud to have been there coach.

Emma and Mike are going to be on the same team this year! Yeah! Not as much running around!

First day - pictures to come -

On the first day, Derek walked through the door of his kindergarten class and then back out to tell me the kids there were too big for him. Then after I reassured him it was fine, he walked back in, only to walk back out again. This time I held his hand and walked with him through that door and to his desk. He had been so excited and confident, but at the last minute a wave of being unsure hit him. I explained to him that his teacher was a very nice lady who would take care of him. I had to do the same today when he had a substitute. He is so sweet. I'm impressed with how he is paying attention to what is going on around him so he is always doing the right thing and informing me of important events. He even remembered to wear red on spirit day without me telling him to. He wants hot lunch next time it is his class's turn to stay at school and has commented that one of his teachers must be a builder because she comes in wearing a construction shirt. (The para-eds wear orange vests while on recess or cross-walk duty. :) ) I miss that guy when he is gone, but he is doing so well and tomorrow, (I guess it's actually today) he gets to stay home with me! I'll have to be sure to spend time with him even though there is so much to do with home school. I've been so busy but I know this is the time he needs extra hugs and reassurance that even though he is growing up he will always be my little boy. He also needs extra sleep! School can take a lot out of a little guy, especially when he is staying up late pondering such deep thoughts about his new academic life. The other day Lizzy kept saying she was older than him and he just didn't know what to do!

Derek's experience was so different from when I dropped the other kids off.  Before, I was always the hesitant one, while they were full of excitement that comes with the first taste of independence. It's hard to leave either way.

Eliza is enjoying the extra attention of being the oldest preschooler at home. I'm looking forward to doing more preschool activities with her when the home school stuff settles down. She loves doing preschool and I am ecstatic that my mom has agreed to teach her and Marcus once a week. I know it will be the best part of her day and she will be looking forward to it all week.

Marian is in Brennan's class! We take the Lewis kids to school each morning.  Kenna has reported that she loves riding the "Ahpa Express". I love watching her and Marian talk as they walk off to their classrooms. Last year she would keep hugging me goodbye and I was never sure if she wanted me to stay or go. Now we skip the hug and may or may not forget to wave and say goodbye as she is too busy in her conversation when we part ways. Reportedly, her signature good behavior is earning her privileges. Of course, it's those quiet ones you've got to look out for. When I went to tuck in the girls a few nights ago, Eliza had a look of terror on her face when she asked me if Santa Clause was a good guy or a bad guy. When I questioned why she would asked, Marian volunteered with a little embarrassed giggle how she had sang her the bad part of the song.  And then, without reserve, she brought her arms up with her fingers curled and in a spooky voice sang, "he sees you when your sleeping, he knows when your awake." She is the most lovable, sweet, pure, interesting girl. Aunt Tallia picks her up from school this year and I miss how she would run with all her might and the bulldoze me over with a hug at the end of the day.

The home school kids are working hard. We are working to get things to run smoother this year, which means we have three computers (thanks Phil and Erin) and they are all connected to the internet (thanks Dad!) and they even are on a network so they can all use the printer. (That is if our printer would stop breaking. Probably time to get a new one, with wireless capabilities.  Why did I stay up so late figuring out how to set up a network?)

I am impressed with their good working attitudes.  Megan's classes didn't start until this week and she was beside herself! She wanted to get started! She was a lot happier today and wants more work. Today I learned when a word is a preposition or an adverb. Ex: "Derek walked through." through is an adverb. Think of it as adding to the verb: walked. "Derek walked through the door." Through is a preposition because it is part of the prepositional phrase: "through the door". Grammar was never a focus in public school when I went. I am so glad I am learning it now. When I began this post I kept thinking about grammar. It's getting too late!

Megan had dreamed about being involved in Drama at the high school just five minutes away from our house, but we are in the boundaries for a high school 15 minutes away. Home school is a huge time commitment so I went through all the hoops to try to get an exception. Since she was only going to be in one class I would have had to stay at the school, with the little kids in the car, hoping the other kids were doing okay with their work, while she was in class. It turns out the school she is supposed to go to doesn't even have a drama class and doesn't produce plays. The school district is still unbending, even though it would mean additional funding for them, a happy voter, and only cost a space in one class that has openings. I've tried everything.  Everyone at both schools are supportive.  It's ridiculous! I feel frustrated because they won't meet with us, won't talk with us on the phone, and from their responses, I don't even think they are reading my e-mails.  In my most recent e-mail I merely asked for advice for how to proceed next year. I even said, "may I please." I received a very curt reply that said, "I've already told you there is nothing I can do, leave me alone." Not really, but that is how I felt.  She didn't even read my e-mail. If our school district is too big and too busy to serve their constituents and do what is best for every child, maybe it is time to divide the district.  That would show them.  Then our whole neighborhood could go to the school down the street.  Note: I had no problem with sending Megan to the other school. It's my Alma Mater and I think it is a fine school.  They just don't offer the class or plays and I find it ridiculous that no one is listening or understanding us. Am I unable to communicate clearly? Hmm...maybe Megan shouldn't go to that school if writers like me are the product. :)

Megan has been a good sport through it all.  Ultimately, we decided to try again next year.  (Which the superintendent would have known if she had read my e-mail! Yes, I'm bitter!) She has a summer birthday and after visiting the high school and seeing the other freshman, I wasn't ready for her to go anyway. We are considering options like hiring a lawyer or taking her to another city for that class and plays.  I shake my head in disbelief knowing that we are paying taxes to our district and I will have to leave during the school day to drive her over a half an hour away when there is an amazing program down the street.  I know I sound like a silly mom but Megan's dream is to be a drama teacher. She has put on several productions with her cousins and neighbor kids. I want her to be able to be a part of a group in high school like I was in band.  Enough ranting.  All will work out. Oh, one more thing: students who want to take shop are allowed to transfer. The injustice of it all just makes me want to scream! Okay, now I'm dramatic.

I'll write more about Emma's and Michael's partnership activities later.

Meeting Derek's kindergarten teacher at open house was like meeting a princess at Disneyland.  We had to stand in a long ling to talk to her for only a minute, but it was worth it.  Her beautiful hair and smile and how she would stoop down to talk to the kids reminded me even more of the Disneyland characters.

When we met Marian's teacher she asked Marian only for her last name and then replied, "you must be Meredith, but I understand you like to go by Marian."  Her teacher had also sent a post card before open house.  

It is going to be an awesome year for those two.

Bananas for Bathtime

When we built our house I requested a big single sink instead of a divided one and I love it!  I've always hated cleaning the divider.  I know that is lazy, but it is just more to clean and it gets in the way.  A single sink is great to wash big pots and pans and I can even fit all the refrigerator drawers and shelves in it.  It's so easy to spray them off when it's time to clean the fridge.  But the best part about this sink is that it makes a great tub for my babies.

Because the bananas are on the counter near the sink, Norah spied them while taking a bath one day.  I gave into her request and now if there are ever bananas when she takes a bath she has to eat one in the tub.

The Strangest Things Happen Around Here

Emma likes to come up with new ensembles by piecing together articles from the dress up clothes. She usually comes up with some pretty cute ideas. Apparently, Norah brought her a scarf and wanted to wear it. This is what she came up with: (Norah was already in just a diaper.)

(I should edit Derek out - he's not going to like that look when he gets older.)
Norah thought it was pretty funny and paraded around the house, loving it when I got the camera out. Normally I'm a stickler when it comes to modesty, even when they are little, but it was so much fun to watch how excited she was about this.

Saturday, we were invited to a BBQ at some friends house but Norah had a miserable cold so I stayed home with her. Nathan and the kids had a great time, but I am so glad I stayed. Norah and I read books, sang songs, went outside and I pushed her in her swing. Then we came back in and I rocked her to sleep. It was so peaceful! I am thankful I had that special alone time. It has been almost 13 years since I've been able to just focus on and enjoy one baby!

Summer is winding down and I am gearing up for school. This will be our best year ever! Megan is practically independent with her school work and I'm trying to prepare things in hope that Michael and Emma can do the same. When ever I dreamed of homeschooling I would think of all the great projects we would do together. I know that works out for some people, but I just can't get it to work. I never have time to prepare as well as I would like and I get too stressed out with all the commotion. I wish I was a more gifted mother and could magically incorporate the little kids into the projects, because they really do want to be a part of it and I would love to include them. I also feel guilty a lot of the time if I'm spending too much time with the older kids. I feel like the little kids are being robbed of a mother, and truthfully, they should get first priority. So, now Megan is in high school, Emma and Michael are middle schoolers, I feel that they can be given more responsibility and be more self directed.

The other thing that is different than I imagined about homeschool is all the driving. I'm not going to lie. I thought one of the advantages of homeschooling would be to relive those days when I only had little kids at home and we could call it a pajama day and snuggle while we watched a movie or read books and then made cookies. But the problem with homeschooling is that you want to make sure that your kids get social and leadership opportunities. That requires a lot of driving. If there is one thing I don't like it is spending all my time in the car. The only thing I like less is making my little ones spend all their time in the car. I'm just going to need to put on some fun music and we can all sing together.

My dad always reminded me, "if ye are prepared, ye shall not fear." Nathan likes to say, "action conquers fear." So I'm preparing. The third year is supposed to be the best, right? It's going to be awesome.

Summer is busy! It has been so packed, in fact, that part of our family has missed church for the past two weeks. Part of that is because it has been a cold summer and swimming lessons in the morning don't help.

One day Derek informed my that he wasn't going swimming. Not for the rest of the summer. "I get very cold," he stated. "I am a warm blooded creature." It is true. He loves to swim, but he usually stays on top of the big blow up whale to keep him out of the water and in the warm sun. The image I have of him swimming is that of a huge chattering smile on his face and his skinny little body uncontrollable shaking. He specifically asked for me to buy him long sleeved shirts for school. I am going to go even further. I've already asked the Kindergarten teachers stationed in the portables to make sure it stays warm out there just in case that is where he is assigned, and plan on buying him a set of long underwear for every school day of the week.

In spite of his unfortunate thermal regulating condition, he stuck it out to the end of swim lessons and is enjoying the fact that he doesn't have to wear the life jacket any more. (It's probably warmer without it.)

He is excited about starting school and especially about his new back pack. I don't want to see my little boy go.

Eliza has requested no long sleeved shirts; she will not wear them. She loves to shop for clothes. Norah had just as much fun. I wish I could have captured a picture of her excitement as she chose a pink shirt or how she pointed her toes to try on new shoes. How helpful! I hope to be completely done with school clothes shopping this week. It is my goal to have next week be a great last week of summer.

Emma and Michael have already started math. Last year we started with one subject and added one a week until we were up to a full day. I liked how that worked and had planned on catching up on the subjects added later throughout the year, but it didn't happen and the end of the year was hectic. So we are starting a little bit earlier. Both Emma and Michael are doing well and it makes my heart soar to see their awesome brains working again. It feels good! "Quality" and "consistency," along with having them take more responsibility and be self directed are going to be my focus this year.

Megan and Michael were able to take part in our stake's Trek. I so wanted to go with them! I'm glad they had that experience. In preparation, our family read Fire of the Covenant each night. Even Derek and Eliza enjoyed it. Derek asked me if that story was real and how we know what happened. I told him the pioneers wrote in journals and asked if he would like to have a journal. In a light blue (his favorite color) I try to write down his words exactly as he dictates them to me and then he draws wonderfully detailed pictures. He is all about the details. I prompt him to tell me about the fun stuff that we are doing. Otherwise he wants to record, "we woke up, had breakfast and went to swimming lessons." He is so diligent he will bring the journal to me before breakfast so that I can write that!

Today Megan, Terzah, Emma, Kenna and Merian went to see Harry Potter. The younger girls dressed up like Gryffindor students and looked quite quaint. I think I'm going to institute a uniform policy in my home school. They are adorable and impressive in that look.

Merian and Derek are going to be heading off for school. What will I do without them telling me I'm the best mom ever and their snuggles? I love summer. Let's move to Hawaii.

On the other hand I am organizing recipes for the fall. MMMmmmm....