Big Day

Today was a big day for you!  First day of Kindergarten.  And, just like I always do, I couldn't think much about all of the exciting firsts you'll have today without being a little fearful of all the firsts you'll have over the next 13 years.  First day in the lunch room without a parent (today), and the first time someone suggests you skip class (not today).  First time for recess with dozens of dozens of kids (today), and the first time someone challenges your beliefs (not today).  First time being at school all day (today), and the first time your friends aren't there to sit with you at lunch (not today).  First time you walk into an elementary school by yourself (tomorrow -we didn't do that one today) and the first time you hear all about the 'birds and the bees' (not today -I really hope).

You're excited.  You're a little nervous.  You're most excited about meeting your teacher and meeting your new friends.  You're such a positive kid I don't think it's entered your mind that everyone in that class isn't going to be your best buddy!  You talked about Max (next door neighbor friend) and wished that you were in the same school, but was excited to go over and ask how his first day went.  You wanted to hold Milo and sit next to mom and dad during our little meeting in the gym today.  You were excited to have your book bag and lunch box with you.

We've been to an orientation meeting at the school.  You've had a 10 minute "test" with a random kindergarten teacher.  We've had school lunch (at a different school) a few times to practice the lunchroom and you practiced opening all of the lunch containers that you'll bring to school.  I've labeled your backpack, lunch box and containers.  I also tried to get you a unique and bright colored bag, in the hopes that it will increase the chances of it coming home every day.  We finished reading the last set of books in the series that you started while in preschool as well as the last Captain Underpants Book that's been written (so far -I'm afraid there might be more).

You're smart and tender hearted.  You're thoughtful and you're energetic.  You're impulsive and forgetful.  You like to know what our plan is for the day, the next day, and the next week.  You don't hesitate to introduce yourself to new people and make new friends, even if it's only for an hour at the park.  You love your family and have a few favorites.  You would be just as happy playing outside all day as you would be playing a video game or tablet all day.  You play well by yourself and play great with other kids.  I'm really excited for you and hope that you have a little bit more today say than "Fun" and "I don't remember" when we pick you up this afternoon!

Kindergarten from Melanie Lafeen on Vimeo.

More Summer Stuff

We had our yearly trip to Lagoon, thanks to Mimi and Papa and Sysco.  I know a lot of people don't like Lagoon.  I love it.  And, YOU love it.  Sure, it's crowded and slightly dirty, and hot and full of strange people who are in various degrees of undress.  But I'm a sucker for roller coasters and you're just about there too.  We were able to graduate to the medium sized rides this year (in addition to all the kiddie ones) and you loved it.  You're also getting really brave in the water and could have stayed at Lagoon a Beach all day.  (I didn't manage too many pictures, but trust me, you enjoyed yourself)

In other amusement ride news, you got to go to your 'best buddy's' birthday party last Saturday at Jungle Jims.  You just love seeing and hanging out with Josh, I wish we lived closer to him.  You had a great time and got a little sad when we had to leave, I think you know that you won't see him much anymore.  You're social kid that I'm sure that it won't be long until you have another best buddy, but Josh was your first!

We've been camping once.  And, I think once is good for me. Dad and I were in charge of our ward campout and you guys had a blast.  Well, you and Kate, turns out Milo prefers to not sleep in a tent.  At all.  There were these awesome trees that all of the kids played in all night long.

You've made a ton of progress in swimming lessons this summer.  We're just finishing up our second 2-week session and will probably sign up for one more.

You went to your first real baseball game.  Not Fenway real, but Bees real.  We went with the Lafeen's (and the auto shops) for the 24th of July to see the fireworks.  I'm not sure how much you really followed the game for you would watch for short periods of time and you were always VERY excited when the scored or made a play (which was a lot during this particular game).  I think you may have liked the ice cream and cotton candy the best, but you enjoyed the night.

We've been practicing eating school lunch and you let me take a few pictures before church and you were by far the best behaved kid during the Hardcastle cousin photo shoot.  Well, Charlotte was pretty good, but she wouldn't smile for anyone!

We went up to Mirror Lake over the 4th of July to beat the heat and most of the crowds.  You love hanging out with your family and being in the mountains, AND you had an awesome experience and caught a live fish with a net.  I'll add the video here, but I should translate.  You were playing in the creek with a buttery fly net and had caught a number of dead fish parts.  (People were obviously gutting and cleaning their fish just up the way a bit).  You were pretty impressed with the heads or the tails you were 'catching' and then a live fish happened to make it's way into your net.  You were pretty excited.



I fish story from Melanie Lafeen on Vimeo.

One last thing... Dad has been working with you on your bike for a while.  You've had it for a few days, but I finally went out and took some video.  You haven't quite mastered the breaking part, but you're pretty good just cruising down the road.



Hyrums bike from Melanie Lafeen on Vimeo.

Preschool program and graduation

Another year, another preschool program!  Maybe someday when we don't have little kids (so, for Milo) I'll be able to sit closer to the front and get a decent picture or two, but for now, we're always near the back and/or side.  Plus, since you're the older group, you were on the back row too.  You guys sang a bunch of songs, and you even knew some of the words this time.

You had the actions down, including a few that weren't practiced.  After a quick bathroom break, you seemed much more relaxed!  I love how much you've learned in preschool, you're reading and playing so much better with other kids.  You're still FULL of energy and always have one (or ten) things to say and add to the teacher (I've noticed this in other settings, like church, gymnastics, and now a music class).

Dad couldn't make it, so we have a few videos.

Oh, and Kate loved watching you and was so excited to see you after you were done.

And, I talked to your 'girlfriend', Kaylee's mom.  She was aware of you, which was pretty funny.  I'm so excited for kindergarten, and you make friends so quickly and easily, I'm sure you'll do great!

Baseball, Gymnastics, and a music class.

Spring baseball.  Where it's cold, and rainy, and sunny, and hot, and windy.  It's always windy.  It's our third year playing with Grandpa Lafeen out in Herriman, and he did the old bait and switch on us.  You were lucky enough to be the Red Sox for the first 2 years, and this year... you're the Rockies!  We've had talks about how you can still like the Red Sox, even though you're a little Rockie, and I think you get it! 

 A couple of your cheerleaders

Your attention span has definitely improved, and your batting is pretty good too.  It's coach pitch this year, and you do pretty good at hitting the pitches.  Once in a while we have to pull the T out, but not often.  Catching the ball is a different story, but you'll get there!

I know I mentioned gymnastics before, but I have more photo's.  I'm not sure how to report your progress here.  You're pretty dang flexible and can jump and hang on anything and everything.  Now, it's just a little more professional and we're putting names to all of the stuff you've already done.  I'd like to continue it, and we've started the second session for you and Kate, but we'll have to see if it will work for us once school starts again.  

We also went to a music class today that a neighbor is starting in the fall.  I LOVED it!  I've been thinking about piano lessons this year, and figured that you wouldn't be quite ready this year, and hopefully I could find you a teacher in first grade.  This program (let's play music) is a three year curriculum, and you don't even start the piano until the 2nd year, but you learn tone, counting/beats, harmony, chord progression, and solfeggio hand signs, all while being super active and 'playing'.  I'm hoping to start you in it this fall too.  

Long overdue

I know that I haven't been updating blogs as often as I have in the past, but I didn't realize I had let more than a month go on yours and Kates!  Sorry!!

So... I'll start at the beginning and go back.

Baseball (t-ball) starts tonight.  Dad took you for your first practice.  And don't worry, I'll get plenty of time on the field because Grandpa Lafeen wants to practice 3 times a week!  Three times a week of driving through rush hour traffic to Herriman (35-60 minutes away depending on the time we leave) to practice.  Every spring I say this is the last year... and every year we do it again.  I hope you enjoy it, but I also know that you enjoy your time with Grandpa, so it's worth it.

We also went up to Baby Animal Days in Logan this past weekend.  It was kind of a last minute decision and a bit too cold for your liking, but I think you had fun.  We invited Grandma and Grandpa Lafeen and Gordon and Jessica to come with us.

You spent a night at the Lafeen's and I think you may have learned how to ride your bike without training wheels.  Grandpa said you could do it down the driveway, but it was seriously so cold and rainy ever since you guys came home, we haven't been back out to see for ourselves.  This week should be better though.

You and Kate started Gymnastics last month.  It's pretty entertaining -for all of us (except maybe Milo).   I've been pretty impressed with the instructors and the set up.  It's at a local community rec center, but they bring in all sorts of stuff.  Beams, trampolines, last time they even had the uneven bars.  You are quite athletic, especially when it comes to climbing and swinging on stuff, so you've really enjoyed it.

We went to Kindergarten orientation last week.  And before I get too far, I'll remind you (and anyone else reading) that 1-the third times the charm and 2-women are known for changing their minds!  Despite the feelings I had about you going to Bella Vista your dad wasn't quite convinced.  He started looking into a charter school in the valley, which I wasn't very excited about.  Longer commute, unknown results (it's still very new) and I just have realized that I believe in the public school system.  So... it was in the midst of these doubts and discussions when I received a call from the district.  I had put your name into the lottery for a Spanish dual immersion program at Midvale Elementary (still not our neighborhood, but a bit closer than Bella Vista).  Most other programs (Spanish, French & Mandarin) start in 1st grade, but because Midvale is a Title I school and has all day Kindergarten (and perhaps because many of their students and even more of their parents speak Spanish as their first language) it starts early.  They sent out the initial email in January, but I never received it.  We accepted the position (so know you were registered in 3 schools) and so far, that's where you're going!  Dad and I are both really excited about the dual immersion program, and I hope that if we're able to start you in it now, when we're able to move in the next couple of years we'll be able to get you in on of the other Spanish programs.  Not to mention, once you have a sibling in the program they usually let the other ones in as well.  So, it looks like we're on the way to being a bilingual family (everybody but me, probably).

We had our week in Palm Desert with Mimi and Papa and everyone last month.  You loved it.  You love anything and everything that involves vacation houses, being with family, pools, and playing all day long.  You weren't so thrilled with the drive, but then again, none of us really liked that!

We had a few fun days when Stella (and her mom and dad) were in town right after our trip to the desert. We had dinner at Grandma and Grandpa Hardcastle's and then went to the children's museum downtown later in the week.

I think that gets us up to date.