Back to School!

Jane started 4K today. She has come so far, going from the clinging, unsure toddler to a confident preschooler. She loves to play with dolls and her Frozen movie figures. She has a stellar imagination and a sweet singing voice. She has strong opinions and does what she wants, no matter who or what might get in her way. Great work Jane! Note: Jane gets extra pictures because it was her very very first time going to school and riding the bus. So we happened to be standing out there with her longer. The others just went on their merry way without much fuss. :)

nervous?

a "cool pose" while waiting for the bus.

A new headband knitted by a kind friend from church. Thanks Marin!

Ephraim is a middle schooler! He is really excited to participate in drama and ski club, as well as be a master in math (OK, I added the last goal, but it's a good one, right?). He is very empathetic and really cares about people. He has an extremely high energy level, which gives his parents and teachers the opportunity to stretch their patience. Luckily the "loving personality" component makes up for that.

Silas is a 4th grader today! He is confident, competitive, and a hard & efficient worker. He does about half of the work when the kids are asked to clean something because he moves so quickly and doesn't complain. He is a leader with a hoard of boys at school who really look up to him. His hyper-competitiveness makes for an interesting scene when he loses a game (let's just say we're working on sportsmanship). Have a great year Silas!

Lorelai starts 2nd grade today. She is extremely social and excited to see her friends again. Her summer goals show part of her personality: "I want to learn cooking, how to watch babies, and typing." In addition to having domestic goals, she is extremely smart and described by her teacher as "a model student." She currently tends to be dramatic (like the divas in a Disney Movie), which her brothers constantly beg her to stop doing.

Azael is now in 8th grade. He is practically an adult, in body as well as in spirit. This summer he traveled alone to Switzerland and he wasn't nervous at all. He loved it. He enjoyed scout camp, too. He spent almost every waking moment of the other 7 weeks of summer taking an algebra course. He is very opinionated and sometimes stubborn, but all in all he's a great kid who knows what he wants and goes and gets it.

Cora isn't starting school, of course, but I wanted to give a little update: She is such a happy baby, crawling, almost walking, and into everything. She loves hugging, babbling, getting into things, eating, dancing, and so on. She is everyone's favorite person. The kids all seek her out and can't keep their hands off her, even if we ask them to. :)