School and a Birthday

Our dsl modem quit working last Friday night and left us without internet for days. Too many days. And no unsecure networks to steal from either (rude). Oh we survived and found plenty to do (the new Wii game, canning peaches, reading, going to bed early) but I realized the internet addiction runs deep. I couldn't search birthday ideas for Dane, I couldn't read this article from the Ensign that was talked about in Sunday School (our subscription has expired and I forget to renew. great article though, take the time to read it.), I couldn't check my email/blogs and the list goes on and on. I was so happy when the UPS man brought the new modem. I plugged it right in and got to work getting caught up. It's a work in progress.

We started school this week and had our traditional letter pancakes for breakfast. Reed had his first letter pancake in a mini version but he wouldn't settle for his not having chocolate chips. It's funny to me he knows what the good stuff is already. He ate the whole thing no problem and wanted more chocolate.

Nathan and Kathryn started 2nd and 3rd grade on Wednesday. I'm so excited for this year. They both have excellent teachers that want to, really want to be there teaching my kids. Teachers that give it their all are priceless. Their teachers are best friends and run their classrooms very similar. Great for me with the homework schedule and such. I want to send them a note telling them how excited I am for all the kids are going to learn this year but I don't know, is that weird?

This was the first year that Kat showed excitement in picking out her outfit. And it didn't take her 30 minutes, another first. The best part was when I asked how she wanted me to do her hair. She said ringlets all over with a big poof on top. Hello, I don't have 45 minutes in the morning! She's never had real opinions on that either so this girl just might be coming into her own. She loves school and learning so starting back up has made her month. Lots of good kids in her class too, another plus.

Nathan looks just like Kat did last year, all smiles with no teeth. He has been so excited to get 'skater shoes' this year. He's been wearing them nonstop for the past couple weeks. I don't know many kids in his class but he usually gets along with all kids and most of the time, helps the underdog. Love that about him.

Dane started kindergarten today, on his 6th birthday. He's been asking everyday since Saturday why it was taking so long for him to go to kindergarten. One morning he woke me up before 6 to ask. Not good! We requested the teacher Nathan had for kinder and we love her. Again, a priceless teacher. He's on a different schudule than the other kids and with budget cuts no all day everyday is being offered. He's going to be going all day, every other day. Two days one week, three the next. It's not ideal but with his teacher I know he's thrive. She's that amazing! We fought a bit this morning over wearing a 'collared shirt', he does not like them and it's too bad because he looks adorable in them. He was straight off to his desk this morning and I had to call his name to have him look back at me. I started to feel emotional but was quickly distracted as Reed ran around the room looking balls to throw. I grabbed him and left before I could be too sad at how fast the last 6 years have gone. So, so fast.

{Nathan loves to thumb wrestle and when my mom and I saw this shirt, we died laughing and knew he had to have it. It's his favorite shirt and for some reason, cracks me up.}

Reed was so happy to walk them all in again today. He skipped along, went right to the ball bin and walked around Dane's classroom like he owned it. Nathan and Kathryn walked around the corner and he started yelling, 'Guys, guys' (one of his newest words) as they walked away. He was slightly distracted until we left Dane in his room and they he yelled 'Guys!' the entire way out to the van. One teacher heard him and tried telling him all the fun he'd have with his mom but he wouldn't even look at her. He's going to miss his 'guys'.

Marion made another fabulous cake to celebrate Dane's birthday. She's so great to take on the cake project. It would for sure push me over the edge. Planning dinner on a birthday night while wrapping presents comes close enough, ha. Thank you, thank you Marion, he loved it!! He said the sweetest thing as I was tucking him into bed tonight. He said his birthday was all he ever wanted and he got the best presesnts he could think of. Some he didn't even know he wanted. He is such a sweet boy (especially when he isn't tired or hungry!).

I have more to post on his birthday but tonight I'm crashing into bed.