School Days...

Well, we're well into our second week of school and I keep waiting for that breath of fresh air...but it's not happening! I miss my kids every minute of the day that they're away and the craziness that has become our life is the new normal. The school year only brings homework, after school activities, volunteering, swimming and scouts for Nate and Gabe's new interest...karate. The chaos is kind of exhilarating...I secretly enjoy SOME (only some) of the busyness :)

I love that Adri is enjoying her first experiences with school. She's having an amazing time in Miss Amy's class at Pendleton Elementary. The first day was hard for me but not for her! I left her in a huge classroom with her giant sized backpack (at least it looked that way on her back), not to return for 3 whole hours! Urgg! Luckily, my time was well spent brainstorming with some interesting characters about some upcoming events at our church. Thanks for getting my mind off of my misery :) Luckily, she was eager to return on Thursday and never looked back. We should be proud that we're raising such dependent children right? Just keep telling yourself that, Amanda!

I've shared this story with some of my friends, but it's worth noting again because I NEVER want to forget it. There is a little girl in Adri's class named Kaylee. Kaylee is a sweetheart that spends most of her days in a wheelchair. Adri told me last week that she really liked Kaylee, but that she slept a lot because her body was just a little tired. I inquisitively asked why and she said, "Her body is tired because it's hard work being so cute!" Priceless! Our pastor asked, this weekend, "When do we lose that compassion?" He's right, when was the last time we were kind to a stranger or someone who was different than us? I've said it before, but I can never be reminded too many times...we can learn A LOT from our kids.

As for the boys, well...no surprise there. Nate's back to mastering SRC quizzes and seeing how many times he can read a library book before it has to be returned. Gabe fit right in his class with Mrs. Wiles (our neighbor) and although he's admitted a few times that he's bored, he's up with the sun, dresses willingly every morning, and can't wait to sit down at the island to start his homework (number writing practice) when he gets home from school. I love those boys :)

On the flip side, Adri misses 'her kids' while they're at school and can't hardly wait for the alarm on my phone to ring at 3:30, alerting her that it's time to head down the driveway to meet them. She then tells them all about her day, although they listen vaguely, and then eagerly offers them a snack when they finally get through the door. Mothering 'her brudders' is her gift.

Aren't these Houdini's cute?

And just for fun, on the first day of school, my ladies spent the morning bug hunting in the garden and the afternoon napping and dusting themselves under the chicken coop.
They were relieved, I think, to spend the day without any kids chasing them!

I'm enjoying some quiet time now, while Adri naps (which isn't lasting very long these days), and may or may not be devouring homemade salsa and tortilla chips. Now, back to 'stitches for Izzy' while it's still quiet around here. The boys get home at 3:30...right about the time Adri wakes up!