Celebrating his birthday

At Dino's pizza

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The first day of school

Thursday August 25th, 2011
these last few weeks have been long. as we headed towards the end of august summer
wore a bit thin. The extra hot days just added to the blend of crankiness and whining that happened
almost hourly by big and small alike.
My response that week before school began to the question of "are you ready for school to start" was a resounding
strong "yes!" they were ready too, although none would admit to such a thing.
it was time.
Thursday dawned and all were up well before the alarm clock, dressed with minimal complaint. Had I not weathered a few of these back to school mornings I would have complimented myself on the awesome organising and preparing we did before the big day arrived, it helped but that first day, and that more than prepared attitude of all was simply energy and excitement. They left in a rush
and then it was quiet. ten little ones looked at me with questioning eyes, wondering I'm sure what just happened.
within an hour I missed them. of course I did.
and even tho the day was quieter, calmer. I found moments when there was something I wanted to tell one of them and then
remembered it would have to wait until they returned after school.
And return they did, filled with energy and excitement. Stories about their first day.
These first days of a new school year are so full of stories, and memories.

Birthdays

Are exhausting

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Kindergarten

oh my we have reached this milestone in Rosie's life
she is in Kindergarten.
She is ready in her oh so Rosie way to begin this new journey.
I truly hope kindergarten is ready for her.
Today we met her teacher, a familiar face to us. Anthony had her
Beckie, Josh, and Cassandra helped out in her classroom when they were in high school.
Mrs. Davidson is perfect for Rosie. I'm pretty sure I did a happy dance when that letter arrived.
Rosie was pretty excited too, simply because there were so many that were able to tell her about
this new teacher. I think that went a long way in easing her worries about Kindergarten.
She explored her room, found her cubby, emptied that backpack and played for a bit. As we left her room she quietly whispered to me
"she's pretty cool" ahhhh that is the highest praise from our Rosie.
Looking forward to what this year brings, looking forward to watching my Rosie grow and learn, praying Mrs. Davidson still talks to us
when that year is over

the beginning...

a sure sign that school is about to begin is that early entrance conference...
and an even surer sign that summer is drawing to a close
(sigh)
He will be in 4th grade. 4th grade.
seriously how did that happen
ok I know how it happened, days turn into weeks which turn in months, and then years
but really 4th grade is only 8 years away from a senior and that just passes in a blink.
I know that, lived that in fact. it seems you are changing their diapers and then you are writing out a check
to pay for college books
but I digress, he approached this conference just like every other, not showing too much enthusiasm
just a rather reluctant acceptance. He found his desk, emptied that overflowing backpack, listened to his teacher explain their
schedule and expectations, and then his face was priceless when his teacher uttered those oh so dreaded words Homework.
yes he had homework for tonight, to be returned tomorrow.
I fear I am not looking forward to that particular aspect of back to school.
Beckie had Mr Reinhart when she was in 4th grade, and since it seems to bother Beckie when I calculate
just how many years ago something was (she says it makes her feel old, huh. We need to discuss old this child and I)
I won't tell you how long ago it was, but one could use decade in that equation along with a handful of years :)
Looking forward to a great 4th grade for this child of mine....

meeting her teacher....

this morning bright and early we arrived at school,
on time actually for our scheduled conference with her 2nd grade teacher
We found her room and she explored a bit, found her desk and quickly emptied
the backpack that I think weighed more than she. She read a bit and answered some
questions...and seemed a bit more ready to start school tomorrow
(yes tomorrow, I am so trying to contain the glee that sentence brings to me)
This is the first time a haycraft has had this teacher, I know all those kids and we have never
had a child in her classroom until this year. Our lucky year I believe. After the short time we spent
with Mrs. Olson I can tell Yahaira is going to have an awesome 2nd grade year.

Bath time...

Not the preferred method of bathing in our home.  Unless your two and then its perfect.  

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The Threshing Bee

in Butterfield, MN
our destination for the day
a good day for experiencing something new

it seemed

the buildings available to look at were endless, the activities to participate in were many
the things to watch and see and do were plentiful and perfect for my little crew
a day filled with many new things, new discoveries, and new memories

making a rope

the parade

reyna showing me the candle noah made for her and eating lefsa

loved the tree lined roads in the park

reyna and noah in the livery office
she thought the horse in the next room was totally fascinating

some of the tractors in the parade...longest parade I have ever watched

Fair

Saturday we traveled to Fairmont to take in the Martin County Fair
the weather was perfect the kids were excited.
We wandered through the buildings, and visited the animal barns
ate fair food, and rode rides...
all were asleep as we left to head home...
a good day

Merry go round...

she road the horses for the very first time at the fair.
I wasn't sure as I carried her onto the platform just how this would go
she was so tiny sitting upon that horse, a purple one since that is the Rosie's favorite color
the ride started and her eyes grew bigger, the horse moved up and down and she froze
I prepared for a screaming mass of child and then she smiled, soon she was grinning...
and when the ride ended I carried a screaming child off the ride who could only utter
"again, I ride again"
she did ride again later this time her dad took her

rides

a trip the fair isn't complete without a few rides
so we ventured to the midway, where the sun shone down on us
and each contemplated just which rides they would do...
there were lines to wait in, and dust to kick around as we walked
there were the game vendors calling you in, my little ones were quite uncertain by
this aspect of the fair, when I just walked by Yahaira asked isn't it rude to not stop
I explained that they didn't expect you to stop they just hoped you would, and that their goal was
to make money, and we didn't have to spend it on every booth.