Another school year begins

We just completed our first full week of school. I would have to say that it went pretty smoothly all things considered. Landen was not excited to go back to school. He says that it is just too long and boring, and he always worries about getting a mean teacher or getting in trouble. But the morning of the first day, he was up and dressed in a new shirt and donning his "school shoes" without any encouragement. Since we'd just got back from our vacation Saturday night he'd not had his school haircut and things were a little wild, but he seemed settled. We had our traditional German pancake breakfast which is probably the only time they get a hot breakfast on a school day. Then, since they don't have to do their music on the first day, they wandered around wondering what to do, so excited that they couldn't possibly focus on doing any one thing anyway. Landen went out for a last couple of relaxing jumps on the tramp, which is one of his forms of relaxation.


Brecklyn on the other had was very excited about school. She with the help of her Dad got on the internet to research face shapes and haircut ideas. She picked one out for me which she begged me to do Monday morning before school. I did my best and she now has a much shorter layered doo that she os thrilled with. Like so thrilled that she can't stop playing with it and talking about it. To be honest, I think it is a fun change for her and gives her more body. Today for church I pulled it in a high flip bun and the long bangs that she has fell out to one side. I went to pin them back for her, but she couldn't have been happier, so I let her go to church with bangs over her eyes! What would my mother say! Anyway, she picked out her outfit complete with necklace that she'd made with Getti, and has continued to adorn herself all week with necklaces, or ribbons that she finds around. When I went to school the first day to meet with her teacher I had to smile to see 80%of the girl wearing similar outfits (leggings and baggy shirts) Since it is Breck's only all new outfit, I didn't feel too bad. She spent considerable time preparing her things for the first day even trying to create her own pencil box out of fabric and cardboard and her own backpack as well. We decided that we really didn't need to buy a new girly backpack since I'd found a great blue one at DI for $2. She wasn't real thrilled with it at first, but after her crafty efforts didn't prove too sturdy she has resorted to the sensible navy backpack (which does have more pockets than any girl could find things to put in them all)


Both kids ran independently and happily into school and have for the most part been happy. The second morning was not nearly as enjoyable as the first, but they are beginning to get the routine. Breck usually has her hair tiesand brush, her shoes and socks, her backpack with homework and papers and such all in her hands and runs out at the last minute as I'm backing out of the driveway. When we pull up to drop her off (remember they go to different schools) she loves to hug and kiss, chat, and obviously pull all of her stuff together, and Landen is always hollering,"hurry up Breck, get out I'm going to be late!" When I drop him off, he sometimes says, Bye Mom, very rarely gives me a kiss and leaps out of the car racing to the school never looking back. I have to admit that I cried dropping him off the school the first day, knowing that all his energy would have to be contained at a desk for 7 hours.

This is a picture of Talia's birthday cake that she and Grandma Pete made together. Grandma made her birthday a "day of celebration" by doing just what Talia wanted. However, if I recall I don't think we ever got around to dressing up like bunnies and hopping around. Talia is doing "homeschool" as we are calling this year. She has a decorated pencil box (courtesty of her big sister) and does school work with me everyday. My goal is to get her to be a good and easy writer this year. I'm amazed how very little time I have during the day. By the time we do the big kids in the morning and then come back and do Talia's violin, jobs, school, reading, etc.. it seems like it is lunch. She is a wonderful sister to Capriel and they've had some wonderful play sessions together. Talia is completely in love with a stuffed monkey that Mom gave her for her birthday. It goes absolutely everywhere with her. When she does her violin practice she lets Capriel "babysit" it which is quite a treat. Capriel is beginning to write on books and couches and continues to add words to her repertoire. She loves to tease, and play with the big kids. She is frightened of wind, and the bathtub since she recently turned the shower on herself. It is like wrestling with a pig to get her into the bathtub. She is still twisting her hair into knots during the night and consequently is looking scruffier and scruffier by the day. I really don't know what to do about it.

This is Capri baking another yummy dish in the sandpile. She can play for hours here if someone will accompany her. Most of her clothes are a dull shade of grey as a result. We sang Redeemer of Israel as family in church today. Breck sang the first verse alone and did a nice job. She didn't try and force any vibrato or mature sounds, and the result was lovely. We are enjoying our musical instruments. Landen can play Dare to do Right on his guitar and Breck is working on Doe a Deer on the ukelele. Tali has played Etude correctly a number of times. I can't believe how incredibly difficult this song has been for us. Talia had her first soccer game Wednesday. She still plays pretty much in the background, almost shadowing the ball, but she did manage to score a goal which is exciting for her. The other kids will get going this week with soccer and guitar, and Breck and Talia will start voice and dance respectively next week. Life is very full and a little wild, but I'm grateful to have a week behind me. Things always go better for me when I have a schedule and somewhat of a routine to follow.