L-o-v-i-n-g School

A few random pictures to mark the start of the school year.

Look at that ginormous backpack! It goes all the way to her knees in the back.  Fortunately she's not carrying around too much stuff.

Waiting for the bus in the rain one day.

Showing off her 'Great' work - practicing writing her name.

Winning the "O" sound game! They play the sound game every Friday.  Other than coming up with words that start with the letter of the week, I have no idea how it's played.  But you get a pretty cool certificate and medal when you win. 

We are having a great year so far in kindergarten!

Tying Shoes with Rachael

First, tell yourself (in a rather loud voice): I can do this! I can tie my shoes!

[Also FYI, this is the "Barbie Rapunzel" hairdo]

Then cross the laces over each other...

...and pull them tight.

Make a bunny ear...

...then loop around...

and push through.

Then snug it up tight!

And smile for the camera...

... perfect!

Eye Doctor

Last Friday Rachael had her first ever eye exam.  It's a requirement here in Kentucky for all kindergartners to have eye exams.  She did pretty well, but the weird font they used for the letters seemed confusing, so she got to do E's - use her hands to show which way the legs were going on the letter E.  Fun to watch.

The stylish black glasses are courtesy of the depth perception test - which she passed, along with her colors.

And the verdict it: slightly farsighted.  What?  Seems weird for two parents who have been mostly myopic their entire lives.  The doctor said to bring her back every year to check but she will probably outgrow the farsightedness. 

And she doesn't need glasses.  But doesn't she look cute anyway?

Flashback Friday

August 2006

Dancing in the rain

Helpful

Yesterday I was mowing the yard when Rachael popped out the door and said:

"Mom, the plant that I watered is still bubbling."

I didn't even have the vaguest idea what she was talking about.

When I came back inside, she showed me that she had watered the plant on the table, and that air bubbles were still rising from the soil.  (This plant is completely contained - it doesn't have anywhere for excess water to go, hence the air bubbles). It had spilled a little on the table runner, but otherwise it was OK.  I placed the plant in the sink to avoid any other problems.  

Then, the second bombshell:

"Well, that was the only plant with bubbles."

You know it, she watered the other four plants around the house.  One by the sink which didn't have any problems.  One on TOP of the computer cabinet, which also watered one of the cameras.  (No damage there, thankfully). One on the end table in the living room, which also watered a book and of course the top of the cherry table.  And one on top of the coffee table in the living room, which also watered the tabletop, some fantastic hardanger embroidery done by my mother, and a beautiful book on temples.  Fortunately nothing was permanently damaged, but I was nearly in tears over the cleanup and potential for disaster.

Then I thought to myself, one day I might even laugh about this.  And that day might even be today.

(Oh, and then we got a new rule.  No watering the plants without asking Mommy first.)

First Day!

First Day of Kindergarten

Everyone has a first day

When they feel sad and all alone

It can be scary

when you are on your own

And I know that a first day

Can be full of doubts and fears

But they are full of new beginnings

Take my hankie, dry your tears

You'll find lots of things to do

And you'll probably make new friends

I promise we'll be together

When the school day ends

Here comes the teacher

Blow your nose and be brave

Come on now and wipe your eyes

This is no way to behave

Well, Good Morning, Teacher

We really do beg your pardon

No, Mommy doesn't always act this way

But it's my first day of Kindergarten!

Author unknown

Making Memories

Last Day of Summer!  

One of our favorite summer activities: the pool.  Rachael spent a lot of time teaching herself to swim - really! Just in time to have the pool close for the season.

For dessert, we made s'mores with giant marshmallows.  GIANT.

And we read a special book to get ready for school: The Night Before Kindergarten.
Tomorrow: first day of school!

Back to School Night

Is it really back to school if you have never been?

We went to Back to School Night to meet Rachael's teacher, Ms. Wilburn, and see her classroom.  We had a lot of fun seeing the school and playing in the gym.

Bring on kindergarten!

Hearing protection required...

Rachael started her new ballet/tap class today.  They do about 20-25 minutes of ballet, then change shoes and have 20 minutes or so of tap.  Rachael has been asking me since last year when she will have tap lessons, so she was over the moon to get some new tap shoes and start lessons. 

On the left, 2010, she is wearing her new tap shoes.  On the right, 2008, in the same skirt.  With any luck this is the year it will stay around her waist. 

She wants to practice tapping all over the house.  I can see we are going to need some rules about practice time...

Photo Blitz

I'm a little behind on the blog lately, but the first day of kindergarten is looming in the very near future, so I'd better get a few things posted white I can!

We enjoyed a nice visit with Ryan's parents for a few days at the end of July.  It was the second time they have visited this year - a real treat! One of the things Grandpa taught Rachael while we were in Idaho in June was how to "tinker" in the barn, which really means do nothing.  She wasn't very good... she likes to be busy.  But when they came to visit, she insisted on setting up a couple of chairs in the garage so that she and Grandpa could "tinker" in the "barn."  (Tinkering lasts a lot longer if you have a snack and a drink, we have discovered.)

We took a tour at  WinStar Farms in Versailles.  Turns out it was mostly a breeding tour; but the price was right and the area was beautiful.  It was fun to see a real working horse farm.  Pictured is the very high spirited Tiznow.

We also went to see Ft Boonesborough, a living history museum featuring Daniel Boone.  As living history museums go, it was well done.  We especially enjoyed that some of the cabins are air conditioned.  Those frontiersmen really knew how to live.

Rachael and I also got to go to her friend Aiden's birthday party.  Aiden just turned 6 and is Rachael's best friend at church.  Here they are tie dying T-shirts with a friend, Sara.

Since Grandma would be celebrating her birthday while driving back to Idaho, we had a party for her before she left.  We fixed the dinner she chose (steak and twice baked potatoes, although I don't know if it's her very favorite or not), and then celebrated with ice cream and cake.

Not just any ice cream - this is homemade strawberry-raspberry ice cream.  YUM.

While she was here, Grandma went school shopping with us.  She also helped me make a dress for Rachael.  This makes the second dress I have made for her; the first was her blessing dress when she was five months old.

We bid a fond farewell to Grandma and Grandpa, then plunged back into our regular schedule.   Friday night we babysat for our friends the Tippets so they could go to the temple.  While Ryan, Rachael and I were there, Benson (age 2) looked at Ryan and said, "What's that big kid's name?"

Saturday we were invited to a party for another friend of Rachael's, one year old Aloysia.  (And Aloysia's mom was, until very recently, my second counselor in the Primary presidency).  It was a really fun party and Rachael was just delighted to help open presents and play with toys.  She's hoping to be invited back to play with the toys again sometime.

Now you are all caught up on our last couple of weeks! Back to our regularly scheduled family blogging.