First Day of School

Rachel and Jacob both had their first day school today. It was exciting but a little nerve racking. I was nervous for Jacob. We didn't get the teacher that we requested and I didn't know the teacher that he did get. She is new in the school.

Jacob and Rachel woke up bright and early and had breakfast and got dressed and then I loaded everybody up into the car to take Jacob to school first. Jacob is attending 1st grade at Rimrock elementary where Rachel is attending 5th grade at Ammon elementary. Jacob was so nervous to go. When I looked at him in the rear view mirror he had this funniest face because he was so scared. He kept telling us how nervous he was.

When we got to school and took him into his classroom we was greeted by what was more of a jungle than a classroom. His whole classroom was a jungle theme. It was wall to wall covered in jungle paper with animals everywhere and fake trees. He found his seat right a way at his table and started to color. He was excited to see a few boys from his class last year. I think that he was really excited to be the only boy at his table. Jacob loves to hang out with girls. He loves to giggle and talk with them. His poor teacher. His teacher is Mrs. Rammell. Yes Rex Rammell who is running for Governors wife. Very funny that the class has relations to somebody running for governor and congress. When I asked Jacob's teacher if she needed any instruction before I left she said that she was great and that everything was going to be fine. I left the class with her asking the kids who was nervous about today and her saying that she was very nervous. Jacob's teacher gave this awesome note about how she wants first grade to be their favorite and most memorable year like her first grade was as a child. She also gave a note that is written phonetically not spelled correctly. The note talked about how this year they are going to write lots and she (Mrs. Rammell) didn't care if it was spelled correctly she just wanted them to write phonetically. I liked that. I really think that Jacob is going to have a great year. I am not worried at all about his teacher.

After dropping Jacob off I rushed to Rachel's school to drop her off. We made it just as the class was lining up outside. She looked so awesome in her shirt and tie. She is very into fashion and has to look cool all the time. Rachel let me take pictures but wouldn't let me come up to her classroom to take pictures. She is too cool for that. Luckily she lets me kiss her goodbye still at the house before she runs for the bus each morning. Rachel's teacher is Ms. Mackintosh (like the caramels. hmm yum) The kids call her Ms. Mack. We requested her and luckily me being a past PTO president at Rachel's school I get priority. Lucky me.

I still can't believe that Rachel is in the 5th grade. She is so big to me. She looks so much older this year as well. She has matured a lot over the summer.

So after dropping the kids off I went home with Kaelen to a quiet house. It is crazy to only have Kaelen home. I know though that i am going to like it. I am excited to get things done during the day especially when Kaelen sleeps.

After school when the kids came home I actually didn't get much from them. Jacob said the best part was lunch because one of the lunch ladies came up to him and told him "that if he didn't smile she was going to have to kiss him and hug him and then eat his lunch." He thought that it was funny. That was pretty much all I got out of him.

Rachel talked a little more about her day. She said that she had so much fun and that she loved her teacher. She sang this song to me that she learned. Go figure Jacob I don't think learned a song in the 1st grade but my 5th grader did. Very funny. Rachel also has a couple of really good friends in her class so she was really happy.

I think that this year is going to be a really great year for my kids. I am excited. I think that they both have great teachers whom they will love and learn a lot from.

Family Pictures at the Oregon Coast.

While we were at the coast (July 25-Aug 1st) we had family pictures taken. They turned out so beautiful. I am excited to get them printed and put on the wall. Here are just a few of the many that were taken. We had the pictures taken at Hug Point by Cannon beach. It was an amazing beach with tons of caves to go and look at while the tide is out. Once the tide goes in you can't see them anymore. This was one of my favorite places at the coast this year.

Gloria has mentioned that this is the whole family photo that she is going to order. I agree it is by far the best.

Okay these grand kid's ones are funny because of all the face expressions of all the kids. They were so unhappy at the time. IT was such a challenge to get them all to sit. Lindsay had to sit and hold Evie down in the pictures. I love looking at them. Oh so funny.

I love these family pictures. I am going to get a large one for my big frame in my living room and then a smaller one.

This is one that we'll have done in an 8x10.

I like this picture of Gloria and Chuck. I think that this is the most I have seen Chuck smile in a picture before.

This is the picture that will be blown up and put in my large frame in my living room.

Kaelen's First Hair Cut

On August 7th Kaelen got his first hair cut. He was so much older than Jacob was with his first hair cut. Kaelen was in much need of one. He had some crazy long pieces. I had been meaning to cut it for months now never found the time. I knew that it would take some time and I never felt like spending the time and energy to do it. It was so long though that I finally decided that it had to be done. I cut his hair on Enoch's lap. It was so hard because he would not sit still. He didn't cry but he didn't like me grabbing his hair and then cutting it. I was so worried about cutting him. Enoch kept having to move him around and distract him. It was so hard to do. It ended up turning out great though. It is so cute. I cut off about 2 inches in some places. I liked how it turned out. He looks more like a little boy now.

Before with his long hair near his ears.

Cutting the top of his hair.

Cutting around his ears and man he moved a lot.

Cutting the back of her head.

Cutting the back. Good thing Dad had fun things to play with.

Afterwards. Notice that there are no fly a ways on the sides. I love it.