First Day of School...At a NEW School

Our kid's first day of school was more traumatic than it was anticipated to be. Here's why....

Last Spring we checked into the charter schools in the area because we felt our kids were missing out on some vital parts to their education in the traditional public school here. We preferred that our kids didn't miss out on instruction in the arts (art class & music classes) which have been stripped from public schools here. We also desired the opportunity for them to have leveled reading, spelling and math classes (where they are taught according to what level they are on and not according to what grade they are in). And finally, we are a fan of school uniforms (especially for those middle school years). We found a charter school (K-8) in the neighboring town (10-15 min drive) which had great scores on testing and all the things we felt our kids were missing out on. We talked to the kids and they agreed that they'd like to go there. We tried to get in, but ended up being put on a waiting list. Well, the Monday night before school started (on Wednesday), we got an email saying that all 3 of our kids had gotten into the charter school off the waiting list. We prayed about whether or not to go ahead and make the change because we knew this would be quite the upheaval...because it was not what we were expecting to do and it was such short notice. We felt it was the right thing even though it'd be hard for a bit. So we broke the news to our kids over pancakes the day before school began. There were quite a few tears and fits from our oldest, who's going into 6th grade, and our middle child was slightly worried about it. Our youngest didn't really care because she was only beginning school in kindergarten. We had to rush out and find school uniforms that day and go to the new school and meet teachers etc. Many prayers and a lot of tears later, the first day of school arrived and the kids were sent off. They each had an alright first day, but our oldest broke down in tears again that night. We kept praying and our prayers were answered...the kids are now adjusting and even enjoying the new school. Our oldest is still having a hard time with certain things, but he loves his band class (he chose to play the baritone after many tears and fits about having to be in a music class). We see improvements each day and just pray that they can adjust and thrive quickly.

We haven't downloaded the good individual pictures we took at the house that morning yet. But here's one in front of the school sign. Mr. Frown had a smile on his face until we got to the school. Poor kid. He's moved schools 4 times in 6 grades.

Taking our kindergartner out to her favorite restaurant after her first day at school. It was nice to have one happy child in all of this.

Some summer camping

We were able to go out in the trailer just a few times this busy summer. Here are some pics from going to Strawberry Reservoir and to our Ward campout.

We rode the little raft out on the choppy water a bit. The kids loved it.

Dad watching the banana boats cook (you slit open a small part of the peel from tip to end, scoop out a 1/4 section of the banana all the way from tip to end, then stuff with chocolate chips, marshmallows, close the peel back over the banana, wrap tightly with foil then bake in coals for 5-10 minutes). YUMMY!

Eating banana boats and ice cream (thank goodness for a freezer in the trailer).

Yum, banana boats.

hiking near strawberry reservoir

Coloring book fun at the ward campout.

goofy boys

playing with the wood for the fire

playing with friends

Happy 11th Birthday

Our oldest child turned 11 years old on August 4, 2009. I can't believe we have an 11 year old. We had a small dinner with the grandparents where we gave him his birthday present...a mountain bike (which he loves). Then on his actual birthday, I threw him a Mega Size Video Game Party. He invited some friends, they played video games projected onto an entire wall of our living room, ate pizza, snacks, soda and finished off with cake and ice cream. They all had a fun time and all it required from me was a little set up...my kind of party. I tried to stay out of the way so they could be as boyish and goofy as they wanted (I'm not a fan of the group boy antics at that age). I took our daughter downstairs and just left the door open to monitor from afar.

The Busiest Summer on Record

So, I can't remember the last time I posted to our family blog. Being a Young Women's president, a mom, a wife, and an illustrator has made this one of the busiest summers of my life...and our family's life. My kids are in no way bored or ready to go back to school. They said, "We haven't even had a real summer yet." I think they're referring to those lazy days when everyone swims at the pool, relaxes, eats out on the back porch every night, and stays up late to play outside. We haven't had much of that. Besides swim lessons, I took my kids to the pool once and we went to a lake at a family reunion and one close by another afternoon. We all are feeling a little jipped at the lack of summer we've had. In the meantime, I've been illustrating 3 books, going to YW camp, youth conference, weekly activities and other meetings. We try to squeeze in some good old family time as much as possible but we just feel a little lacking in the whole lazy summer department. BUT...

We have been very happy to have been able to go camping in our trailer once, go to a family reunion for a few days at an awesome place near Bear Lake, celebrate summer holidays with family, a baseball game and go to swim lessons and lego art classes. Even though we wish there were more days of summer left before school starts in a week and a half, we feel blessed to have been able to do all that we have. Here are a few pics...(my facebook album has more...send me a friend request there and you'll stay even more up to date...lol)


The Hansen family reunion at Bear Lake.


during my first olympic distance triathlon


after finishing my first olympic distance triathlon




Orem Owlz baseball game


Lego City after loving the lego class

Mom, me and my sister at my sister's in-law's cabin

Floating on the River

the cowgirls at the Spanish Fork Rodeo

The kiddos and cousins at the Rodeo

Baptism

We can't believe our youngest son is 8 already. He was baptized by his dad on June 6, 2009. It was nice that his best friend could be baptized the same day as well. We were also very glad so much family could come, especially his Granparents from Indiana who are serving a mission out here in this area right now. Thanks for coming everyone. We missed those of you who couldn't.

Kids at the Studio

I took the kids over the new studio today after having a J-dawg for lunch. They hadn't seen it yet. We took a few shots with the great natural light. Here is one of each of them.

Saturday Morning Hike

Yesterday, while Julie was at Super Saturday, I took the kids (and Zoe) up Rock Canyon for a morning hike. The canyon was buzzing with people (it was like hiking in LA) but we had a great time. The kids love to explore all the little side trails, throw rocks in the water, and stop to pet every dog that walks by.

Here are a few shots from the hike I took on my iPhone.