Hayden & School

At the beginning of the month Kevin and I were considering putting Hayden back in first grade.  His grades were pretty average (B's/C's) but we could tell he was struggling to keep up.  Pairing that with the fact he's one of the youngest kids in his grade, it seemed like if we stayed the course, it was going to be a loooong year.  He loved his teacher but there happened to be a first grade teacher, Mrs. Boris, he had for one day that he loved equally as much.  (Remember him getting moved after the first day of first grade to a new teacher?!)  We had talked to Hayden about maybe going back to first grade and he didn't seem to have an opinion either way.  We talked to the 2nd grade teacher and also the principle and got their opinions.  They fully supported our idea to move him back.  And it turns out Mrs. Boris was the next to get a new student, so he'd be exactly where we wanted him (isn't God good?).

He switched on a Monday that was the start of a new grading period. That previous Thursday we had told him we met with his teacher and the principle and decided to put him back in first grade.   We told him that we prayed about the choice and felt like it was the right thing to do. He just shrugged his shoulders and said ok.  I gave him some news that I knew would make him happy - he was moving to Mrs. Boris's class!  He was thrilled!  We gave him the chance to ask us questions and the hardest for me to answer was if he didn't like being in first grade could he go back to second.  And I had to tell him no, and that mommy and daddy had talked about that but we felt like God wanted him in Mrs. Boris's class and we knew he'd be so happy in the class he wouldn't even want to move.

The Friday before the move, the school counselor walked him to his new room and he met his new class.  His 2nd grade teacher had sent me a couple email during the day that just reassured me this was the right move.

The school counselor called me Friday after school to tell me about her time with Hayden.  She was saying most kids don't do very well with moving back, especially during th school year, but Hayden was quite the exception.  When she talked to him about how we made the decision, he told her his mom and dad had prayed about it, and talked about how excited he was to go back to this teachers class.  She was trying to find out if there were any nerves or negative feelings about it, and there were none.  She said it was amazing to see a child so confident with their parents decision, a child that truly seemed to believe in God and him so at peace about the switch.  Just more confirmation this was the right move!

He's finishing up his third week in his new class and he's absolutely thriving.  He's so confident with his work, he's writing more during writing prompts, his handwriting is getting better by the day.  He feels smart in his class, instead of feeling like he's behind. When I ask what the best part of school is, he always replies "everything" and when I ask if there were any bad parts to his day, he can't think of any.  Oh and one more positive, he has lunch and recesss with his old class, so he still gets to see all of his friends he's made while making new ones!  I'll say it again, God is Good!

When I hear stories of struggles that turned out to be blessings in disguise, this is one for us.  I was so upset he switched teachers last year (we didn't have a choice in the matter), we struggled all year to get him caught up, we struggled this year to keep up, and going back to first grade, which can sometimes be hard on kids, was the best gift we could have given Hayden.  

So remember, if you're struggling with something, God is going to use it for His glory and you'll be blessed by these struggles.  

The face of a happy boy at his fall party!

Apple Cider Slushies

Apple cider slushies... Ever had one?  I had a couple growing up (from the old Englebrechts Farm store in Newburgh) and more recently found them at Mayse Farm.  I love them in the fall!  I was disappointed they didn't have them this year when we went to pick out pumpkins, and my friend Sarah suggested I make my own.  I didn't ever think about that!  

I bought a gallon of apple cider from Walmart, and poured 1 cup of cider into a ziplock bag and put it in the freezer.  (I actually did several bags all at once so they'd be ready when we wanted them!)  To make them, put your frozen cider plus equal amount of unfrozen cider into the food processor or blender and blend until all the frozen has been chopped up.  

We all love them!  We've had them 3 times so far this fall!  And it's definitely cheaper to DIY!

Cute/Funny/Sweet Things My Kids Said

It's time for another edition of cute/funny/sweet things my kids have said or I've overheard the last couple months.  I did better this time with writing down the dates!  I keep things written down in my phone as I hear them or they say them.  I have a feeling the kids will enjoy reading these as they get older! :)

7-23-15

Krissy, "What are you making?"

Me, "Chocolate zucchini bread"

Krissy, "Awwww dat's cute"

7-29-15

Krissy came in my room at 3am, got in bed with me, and woke up with a huge smile on her face and said, "I wike you sweeping in my bed" and I replied, "You're in mommys bed!"

8-3-15

Austin scooted a chair over to the counter and dumped a bag of powdered sugar donuts all over the counter and then poured half a bottle of dish soap on them. I found him playing in the mix. I cleaned him off, then we ate lunch. He so sweetly took his paper plate to the sink (which should have gone in the trash) and dumped the entire uneaten contents of his plate all over the floor (oily vinaigrette everywhere - we had salads). I calmly took a deep breath and began cleaning only to turn my back to see him purposely dump an entire glass of lemonade all over the floor. I let out a very grumpy growl and yelled for him to get out of the kitchen.  Hayden says loudly, "PATIENCE!" ... I say nothing bc I know he's right and then about two seconds later he says, "KINDNESS Mom!" And I said, "You are right buddy; mommy is just frustrated" and then he chimes in with, "SELF CONTROL!" And I just admit he's right I need to use the fruits of the spirit and he said, "Yeah he's just a little baby and he doesn't know any better.. how about a back scratch when you are done cleaning that up? I bet that will make you feel better!" 

Side note: it's amazing how many emotions I felt with that whole conversation. Joy because Hayden has really grasped the fruits of the spirit, embarrassment because Hayden was actually correcting me and my bad behavior, frustration because of the mess I was cleaning up, but overall it was a humbling afternoon.

8-3-15

Allie, "Mom I just wanted to tell you I ate 2 cookies today and I'm so sorry." 

8-12-15

Me: "Allie watch out for the dead bird under the tree. I don't want you touching it!"

Allie: "Who would do such a thing? I like birds. I'm an animal lover!"

8-16-15

Allie (who has clearly seen too many commercials on the iPad!): "You know cover girl? She wears new out last lipstick. And she's beautiful and wears everything black. And she has something to keep her face to look natural" (then she sings) "New out last lip stick ow ow ow ow!"

8-25-15

Hayden came home from school and said, "You have to try my schools potatoes! They are the best!" And he pulls a wadded up napkin out of his pocket with a potato inside he brought home for me.

And this is so bad, but I didn't try it.  It looked so disgusting... but I thought it was so sweet he'd thought about me and brought one home for me.  I took it from him and was very thankful but he didn't know I didn't eat it.

9-9-15

Allie, "Can we jump in that muddy puddle?"

Me, "Um no"

Allie, "I know. You don't like when we get filtee and dirty"

9-9-15

Krissy looking at my new heart necklace, "Ohhhh a heart! How wonderful!"

9-10-15

Allie and Krissy were playing Barbies and Allie screams at Krissy, "No! You don't make her naked! That's gross!"

9-12-15

Krissy hugged me and got right in my face. I thought she was going to say she loved me or she's mommys girl and she said in a weird whispery voice with big eyes, "I don't want you to die!"

9-27-15

Allie and Hayden were playing with dead/old/broken phones when I hear Allie tell him, "Let's take selfies!"

What's Been Going On

The last couple weeks have been busy at our house!

We had family pictures scheduled for this past weekend and I procrastinated and had to make two dresses (and two scarves) in a day, which I did! 😀 (the girls ended up wearing jean leggings instead of black tights.) I can't wait to see the final pics!

The same time I was making dresses I had also been asked to make a three tier cake I couldn't say no to.  So, I did that too!

My favorite consignment sale was last week.  I like to sign up to work 8 hours so I get to shop first.  So all that happened the days prior to making cakes and dresses.  I scored BIG at the sale and got tons of adorable clothes, shoes, and unopened toys for Christmas!!  Some of my favorite finds were:  

A north face jacket for Hayden that he can wear this winter and next, for $25!

Tons of cute pink things for my girl who loves pink! (Boots for $3, Columbia jacket for $4, Hanna Anderson outfit for $5)

This is one of the 4 (eek) jackets I picked up for Allie! $5! What a deal!

And adorable, unworn, Minnetonka Mocs for Allie too. $5 (maybe $3, I can't remember!)

Rewinding some more into last weekend, I made cupcakes for a sweet friend and her little girl that was born a day after Krissy!

And we had a vey successful yardsale that weekend too!  My kids clothes literally flew off the table by the armfuls.  I guess things were priced right!

I should also mention Krissy was not feeling well the last week and right now I have 2-3 kids that don't feel well on any given day. Tis the season!

One more fun bit of news, I was picked to be a co-head room mom for Hayden's class. I'm slightly thrilled by the news and love this part of school/teacher/parent involvement!  Fall party planning is well underway.  

The last couple weeks have been a whirlwind, but I really do love this season of life we are in!  I think about blogging often but I never seem to make the time!  And it seems the blogging I do get done will be from my phone, because our computer is on the fritz.  

I'm looking forward to a slightly more low key week - enjoying the fall festival, making some cookies, and getting this house back in order!  :)

Krissy's Birthday in Pictures

Krissy had a great day celebrating her birthday!  We opened presents first thing in the morning, ate sticky "bums" (as she called them), measured her on my cabinet, got ready for a pink party, welcomed guests, ate Papa Johns, busted open a pinata, ate a pink birthday cake, opened more presents, took pictures with guests, went to Mayse Farm, played at the Farm and picked a pumpkin, then finished the day with ice cream!  (And poor Hayden got sick at DQ just as we were walking in, so we left and Kevin just picked up ice cream from Walmart).

And here are a ton of pictures from the day!~

Hayden "made" her a tshirt for her birthday.  He is a pretty thoughtful gift giver!

I made a big salad to go with the pizza!

The kids broke the string on the pinata so Kevin and my brother took turns holding and hitting it!  No one was hurt during the process :)

White cupcakes with tons of icing for people that didn't like strawberry cake!

Pre-party picture of the birthday girl with her sweets!

She was so anxious all day to blow out her candle, until it came time to do it!  Then she had stage fright and it took a couple minutes to talk her into blowing it out!