School pictures

Each year I begrudgingly buy these school photos and I’m so glad I do. They are great ways to actually slow down time and see the physical changes that occur in a year of the kids life. 

Ellie is a junior already! She talks about business and psychology as job options. 

Max is a freshman and increasingly talking about going into the military. 

Clair is in middle school and loves it. She still wants to be a pediatrician and she shows great interest in coding. 

First day of school

The first day of school seem to be unsuccess for all three kids. Ellie started her junior year. Max started his freshman year. And Clair started sixth grade. 

Clair absolutely loved her day. She has been telling me over and over how amazing it was. She said her favorite point in the day was when her math teacher told her to get out their notebooks and he actually proceeded to have them do math. She is so excited to be in an algebra class as a sixth grader. Some of the kids caught her a genius which embarrassed her and also made her feel somewhat proud. Clair told me that middle school is much better than elementary school and she thinks it’s going to be a great year.

Max told me he had a good day. He was worried at breakfast that it would be hard to find somebody at lunch. But he did find a couple friends to sit with at lunch despite them not being his best buddies. He says that he likes his teachers. He should have a Good first half of the year because two of the four classes he has he has repeating from eighth grade. He got bees in them and quite frankly didn’t really mastered the material so we wanted to try to start high school properly.

Ellie said she had a good day. She’s enrolled in a community college class so enjoyed the freedom of not having any class during that period of the day. I think she’s finally feeling comfortable at the school and Knows her way around and what she can get away with and what she has to take care of. I didn’t get to talk with her too much about her day because she went home with her friends to celebrate their birthdays. I hope to hear more about at least day tomorrow. 

I did take the obligatory first day of school photos this morning, although they were quick and basic.

Clair met Olivia so they could walk in together. We got a couple cute pictures of them, leaving behind the elementary school and moving on to middle school together. It was great having each other as they started their next journey.

Finally, this one doesn’t mind getting pictures with me and even even Still holding my hand. I know this won’t last for long and I am trying to soak up every minute left.

T’Was the night before school started?

Another summer has flown by with the kids. Tomorrow Ellie starts her junior year of high school. Max starts his freshman year of high school. And Clair starts her first year of middle school.

It’s weird, not having anybody in the elementary school after 11 years 12 years something like that. They went to great elementary school.

Each of them have things they’re looking forward to when they return to school. For Ellie and Max it’s more social. For Clair, she’s excited about some of her classes and some of the social side of things.

The summer flew by and each of the kids got to do things they enjoyed. There was also a lot of hanging out at the house as we were not spending a lot of money because I’m still not working full-time.

The highlight for the family beach week. The highlight for ellie was probably Young Life camp week. The highlight for Claire was probably math camp week. The highlight for Max was probably spending time with his friends at the lake.

As we embark on another school year, I pray for God protection over the kids in the schools and that he shapes them as he wishes them.

This afternoon we had a little fun at adventure Park with Gramma to celebrate the day before school starts. The four of us had a really nice time.

Max is working

 Max has to earn $950 for a computer he busted this school year. So, he's working with David a lot this summer. He's cleaning up and don't some manual labor. He's learning a little bit about carpentry and construction, but mostly, he's working hard as a laborer. I think this is great for him. I think it's good for David too. 

On day 1 I get this picture of his finger wrapped in duck tape. He cut it pretty bad and learned a hard lesson about working with knives. 

Max came into my office after Day 2 to tell me how tired he was and also how he felt like he had really accomplished something today. He says working with Daddy makes him feel good about his day.  This makes me so happy! 

Last week he went away with David for a few days to work on a project. This picture is them taking off. It's taken nearly 10 years for David to use the passenger seat in this van!

I hope he keeps growing. I know he will. Sometimes the maturity is visible, and other times it's not. I guess this is what teen years are. 

Keep striving Max!

Ellie loves Young Life Camp

 Ellie decided to try Young Life camp last summer and loved it. She's been looking forward to going this summer since returning last summer. 

I think she loves the silliness and the independence. The camp seems to be non-stop fun and silliness, with little oversight and rules. I would probably struggle, but she loves it. 

This year was a success again. Except, unfortunately, she hurt her feet badly within a couple hours of arrive by jamming them into the bottom of a pool from the slide. (No way that should have been possible and I think that the facility should be adjusted to be safe, but I digress.)

She had 5 nights away in NY State at a lake. She was in a cabin with no AC. She played in the lake. She made new friends. She took a lot of videos. She managed to deal with her foot pain. She really enjoyed herself. 

As a parent, it was really hard to be away from her knowing she was in so much pain. I was worried she needed a Xray and I still think somethings not right. I'm praying these feet will heal. 

She tells me that she's making a video and I'm looking forward to it. 

This was the only picture I got all week, other than of her painfully black and blue feet. 

Good times!

Day 4 drop off

She’s ready to go! 

Math Camp

 Earlier this year, Clair was introduced to the opportunity to earn an invitation to Math Camp. Clair loves math and generally feels she is rarely challenged in it. She loves when it's hard. So, this idea of Math Camp became a strong goal for Clair. 

After much work and initially thinking she did not qualify, she got the invite in May. We quickly took the opportunity to sign her up. And, here we are, in New Jersey for the week, at Math Camp on the college campus. 

Clair loves the idea of college. She's my youngest and she's the only one who has asked to visit a college campus. She has her journey planned out already.  I'm really excited for her and for her interests. I love visiting college campuses and traveling. So this is super exciting to me too. 

We arrived on campus Saturday and got all checked in. The camp runs a total of 5 days. She was excited and not too nervous. Her only nerves come around when she thinks others are looking at her, such as when I'm picking her up and dropping her off. 

The camp is a mix of competitions and lectures. The things she's learning are somewhat over her head and somewhat interesting. She says the most fun has been meeting a couple of new girls she enjoys talking to. She does also enjoy the competitions, but finds it disappointing that the majority of the kids in her group speak Mandarin during the competitions and she can't follow. Yes, most of the kids have come from China for this competition. 

Each day she gets more confident and independent. She is managing the day with little help. She's on campus for 12 hours and 2 meals a day. She has independent time too. She doesn't reach out to me much except to tell me she needs an app or that she's ready to be picked up. 

She was giving me a hard time about all the pictures I took Saturday. I was capturing my visual memories. 

Last night she didn't want a hug when I picked her up and people were watching, but as soon as we got out of the car at the hotel, she was her snuggly self. I can see her growing each day - more independent and confident. I know it's good for her. I am excited for her. I am also just a little sad to see these snuggly years coming to an end. 

She's still my girl and loves hanging with me and doing adventures. What a great week for her!

This about sums it up kiddos

Max is promoted to High School

Thursday morning Max had a promotion ceremony at his middle school. His class really missed out on all the promotion fun from elementary school. So I am really glad they celebrated them this week. 

Today he gets to enjoy an end of year picnic. He’s had a lot of fun this week with his friends too. 

My wish for you Max is that you remember how proud of yourself you are when you make good choices and that you continue to make more good choices in how you approach all aspects of life, including your grades! 

I love you buddy! Keep enjoying the journey and aim for the stars! You can be anything you want to be! 

The end of elementary school

For 11 years we’ve had someone in elementary school. These are the easy years of parenting I think. 

This week Clair is wrapping up her time at NMES with all the fun stuff. She was the MC for her talent show. She enjoyed business days which she had been looking forward to and had planned for several years now. The fifth grade party was a success and she got soaked by the fire truck. 

All the fun and feels wrap up today. I walked her up the path, holding her hand, and giving hugs and kisses as per her request before she headed through the doors. NMES has been a happy place for Clair. She has flourished there. It’s been easy for her. I pray that continues all through her education!

Clair Bear- you rocked it just like we knew you would! Keep enjoying each step of this journey my love! 

I’m going to soak this in

Today is Monday of the last week of elementary school for  Clair. She is a happy girl. She loves her school.

After losing my job in December, I would have to say the greatest treasure that’s come from. It is getting to take Clair to school again every day for the past six months. She really appreciates me taking her. She grabs my hand when we get out of the car and walk up the hill together. She giggles and talks to me. She kisses and hugs me at least once every single time before she goes into the school.

I know this is rapidly coming to an end. I can’t imagine she’s gonna grab my hand when she’s walking to middle school or she’s going to reach up and give me a kiss and kiss her cheek before she goes in. I understand that this growth is natural. And even though it is natural, and I’m so happy for her growing up and being happy and loving this journey, I still somewhat more the loss of this innocence and sweetness.

So four more days of walking her up the hill and holding her hand, and I will cherish them. Will cherish them this week and I hope I can remember them to cherish them always!

Fifth grade clay project

Claire seems to be going all out in school this year. This seems to include her fifth grade clay project. She is more clay than I think I was given in all elementary school to create a plate that holds cupcakes and a cake on it. This thing is expensive. It’s about a foot and a half in diameter for the plate just to give size perspective. She worked on this for months. She’s pretty proud of it but wishes she would’ve done a little bit more detail in the painting. Remember, I will be able to keep it. 

Great job Clair Bear!

Clair turns 11

Clairs birthday celebration was very busy this year. 

Happy 11th birthday Clair!

Today we celebrated Clair. She was busy from sun up to sun down doing things she loves -practicing for her leading role in the upcoming school play, working hard in school, and helping her softball team pull off another miracle win. In between all that we still found a little time for presents and cake and her favorite birthday dinner - homemade Mac and cheese! 

She’s one awesome kiddo! I love watching her grow and getting to be her Mom!

My kids had an great Elementary School.

This essay written by Clair describes her view of her elementary school. It is so awesome to see her recognize the great school experience she has had. I also think she’s right!

Parenting flies by

The days can feel exhausting which makes us think they are long, but really they fly by like the years. 

These kiddos are the best. I also want the best for them and that can be a bit stressful. I wish I could let go a bit more but I’m not good at it. David is the relaxed one; I worry and plan and figure. 

Tomorrow Clair is 11. Eleven years of parenting this sweet, smart, kind, snuggly child has been nothing short of amazing. She has the patience of a saint and I think that’s a gift Vonita sent her. She has the smarts to become a doctor, which she insists she wants to. She has the heart to love like Jesus. She loves her family! I’m thankful each day that God gave her to me to parent. 

She’s coming down with a cold on her birthday eve. I’m sorry for that for her. I hope it’s nothing more than a cold and she moves through this quickly. 

I look forward to celebrating with her tomorrow. 

Birthday is coming

Clair is 11 tomorrow. 

Last night at the dinner table, Clair looks at me and says you’re gonna make my cake tomorrow right? Worried eyes.

I look at her and say, why are you worried about when I will make your birthday cake? 

Her response, because if you don’t make it tomorrow, then you won’t make it and then I won’t have a birthday cake. With a very panicked voice. 

I looked at her and said have I ever let you down? Have you ever had a birthday with without a birthday cake? Have your brother or sister ever had a birthday without a birthday cake? I don’t think so so you don’t need to worry about when I will make your cake. You will have the cake you want for your birthday.

I told David last night I can’t believe that she questioned whether or not I was gonna have a birthday cake for her considering this is one area. I have never let my kids down on. David says well the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree now does it?

Clairs having a strong season

Clair has started off the season well. She has the highest on base average of anyone on the team and continues to show that she’s starting to learn how to use the bat as well. She’s also quite strong defense. She threw a girl out from third in our second game and pressing everyone. And Friday’s game she dove to catch a pop fly at third base and out. I love that the game is clicking for her. I love that she’s enjoying it! 

Soccer game fun

Saturday afternoon we are watching Max play soccer. Everyone was there. As is typical the girls like to distract themselves. The games are about an hour and 15 minutes long. Max is on a new team this year. The coaches are tough and the team is struggling. Max is doing his best and he’s much stronger after working all winter at Pfp. I really hope that he can get recognized for what he’s doing. Anyway, a couple pictures of Max and his soccer game as well as some of the art The girls left me with on my phone. They sure like editing photos.