The First Day!

Two children in school. Slowly my children are growing up and leaving the nest. I will tell you what, Rachel just couldn't wait. She was so excited to start kindergarten. In fact she said "I just can't believe it is FINALLY time for me to go to kindergarten." It was better than Christmas for her. I took her that afternoon for her first day. She was a little shy and I sat on the stage with her until they were ready to start. Then they told us to wave goodbye and I left my girl to start finding her own way in the world. She comes home everyday telling me about her new friends. I think it is amazing to her that there are so many girls in the world to play with. This will be a very happy year for her. :)

Now, Ben. He was not excited at all for school to start. I can't believe he is already at that stage of "my favorite subject is recess". However, I have to say that he is doing great so far. He has a new to teaching teacher and he seems to like her. He has to read and write 3 sentences for homework every night. He tries to think of how he can say what he wants to say in the fewest words possible, which Nate praised and I condemned. Another attribute that must come with being a boy.. . for the most part. There are always some exceptions. All in all, for how difficult the school year ended last year, so far this year things seem to be going well.

Back to the grind stone. It is nice to have kids in bed before 10 pm and start to regain a little of the evening time. We are trying to be on a schedule of homework at seven, jammies by eight, and in bed by 8:30 . . . well, I mean quiet time. They still don't go to sleep until 9:30 or 10:00, but at least they are out of my hair. . . I mean that in the nicest way possible. :)

Ben's Birthday

Well, Ben's birthday was a big hit. We had all the neighborhood kids over for a celebration. Games, a pinata, and of course cake and ice cream. Planning parties is stressful for me. I am not amazing at it in anyway, shape, or form. However, I am determined that all three kids will get to have a kid birthday party this year. . . so now I have one down. I wish I were more like my sister in law who has amazingly creative birthday parties. Anyway, on with the show.
Ben's favorite gift this year is a remote control airplane he bought with birthday money we gave him. When Nate and I went to buy the plane we didn't see exactly what Ben was looking for, plus they were all pretty expensive. Now, I don't mind Ben getting a nice toy. . .but I did want him to understand that he had a set amount of money for his birthday. If he chose to spend it all on a remote controlled plane then he could. I don't know, I just wanted him to take good care of it and be happy with it because he would have to give up other presents to get it. In the end, it has been a great present. It is a remote controlled plane about 10 inches long. It is very lite weight and sensitive. You have to fly it at a big park because it can get some distance. I highly recommend it to anyone who may want a beginner remote controlled plane.
I can't believe Ben is 8 years old. He is such a cute kid and we love him so much. He has been nothing but fun since the day he was born. He is a wonderful older brother and great example to his sisters. He does love to tease them now, but they also play together and get along wonderfully. Today I went in the bedroom where they were playing and asked if I could play with them too. They told me no because it would be too embarrassing. Apparently it is not cool to play in front of your mom when you are 8.