August 26, 2007

August 26, 2007
Good Grief! I am so behind on our newsletter and this is the first chance I have had to sit down and write the latest happenings in our lives.

Last week before school started:
●Kayla attended the 6th grade orientation which was a huge hit. It helped her feel so much more confident. She also got to practice her locker for a long time so she wasn’t worried about the combination the first day.
●On Thursday, we had the new school (Linn Grove) Meet and Greet. We got to go as a family and get a tour of the new school. Alayna and Tyler were able to meet their teachers, see their classrooms, and get their school supplies. It is still in construction mode, but far enough along for school to start. Very exciting!!
●Bob went to Arizona for his brother, Jeff’s wedding. We were so sorry we couldn’t go. It was just too close to school starting. It ended up good that we didn’t go since Bobs flight from Chicago to CR was cancelled and they wouldn’t reimburse him or pay for a hotel. SO, he had to find a hotel that night and was put on the 8am flight. So, I took the kids to school and then picked him up from the airport, he came home, showered, and had to go straight to work. Ah- stress!!!!
●While Bob was gone, we had a party (not cause he was gone, but an end of the summer celebration J) The kids worked hard through this past month to earn certain prizes and they won them all. So, on Friday, we went to the movie theater and watched Fantastic Four. I let them eat as much popcorn as they wanted and they all came home moaning of upset tummies. Um, hello, that’s what happens when you eat a bucket of buttered popcorn.
That night we got McDonalds for dinner and there were even more upset tummies. Um, hello, that’s what happens when you eat fries for dinner! On Saturday, we went to Red Robin for lunch and then to Culver’s for frozen custard for dessert. We also played games, watched movies, slept in, and relaxed. It was a fun weekend and all the kids are eating good foods because the crap food made them feel so awful.
Marisa spent about 6 hours making these beautiful tissue paper flowers for a retirement home for a Personal Progress Project. She even got the other 3 kids involved and they were having a blast. I will include a picture.

School Starts:
●We had a GREAT first day of school!! I walked the younger ones and it turns out it’s a 15 minute walk there, so I am getting in some great extra exercise. Everyone loves their teachers and are excited for the new school year!
●On Tuesday, I started my two history courses through Kirkwood. It will be so much work, but at least the subject matter is awesome so I am really enjoying it!
●I am supposed to start 2 more courses but may wait. I am so EXCITED!!! I was offered a long-term sub job for a teacher who is having a baby! So, I start October 25 until winter break. It will be at Marisa and Kaylas school teaching 6th grade math and language arts. I am thrilled!
I have also had several requests for me to sub. I already subbed twice last week (the first week of school) and I am subbing two days this week. Things are going great and I am thrilled.
●On Tuesday, Kayla and I went to her open house. What you do is go through your whole childs schedule with them. You meet the teachers and then they explain to their parents what their expectations are, etc. It was about 2 ½ hours and about 100 degrees (I am NOT exaggerating. The heat index was over 100 and the school has no air conditioning!) I did the same open house with Marisa on Thursday night and got to meet all her teachers.
●Tyler had his scout Raingutter Regata. Everyone else had a cool boat kit. Somehow we missed that memo. Yet, his boat won two of the races!!! He was so excited!

Birthday week:
●HAPPY 5th BIRTHDAY TO ALAYNA!!!! Her actual birthday is tomorrow but we celebrated this week. On Tuesday, Kindergarten didn’t have school. So, her best friend Jacob came over and I took them out to lunch and out for ice cream and then they played all afternoon. She loved it. Then this weekend Gma and Gpa Hart came to celebrate. We had a fun SpongeBob party and my friend made a really cool cake. (I will include pictures)

This week:
●Marisa starts on the volleyball team this week. It will be interesting to see
how she can handle that with the several hours of homework she has each night! I guess that catches us up. I am sorry I am so bad at email now as well as the phone. Every spare minute is spent cleaning or studying. Hope all are doing well.