The Start of a New School Year.

My kids have been in school now for 2 1/2 weeks and I am finally getting around to posting about their first day of school....that's how I roll! :)

With lots of prayers and thought about deciding what grade to put Madisen in, Ryan and I decided to give Madisen another chance at first grade. I think transitioning from Idaho to Texas, then back to Idaho in the middle of the year and then getting home schooled for 2 months, was hard on her. Especially since she is so small and timid for her age anyway, it just added to the difficult transition. I believe we did the right thing, but it's been a little hard for me at times I won't lie. It's hard for me when she brings home homework, and the homework is asking what sound a certain letter makes, or reading 6 word sentences, and half the words are pictures. I am sorry if I sound a bit arrogant but she is beyond learning the sounds of letters. She was reading  short chapter books this summer and I feel like she is not getting challenged at all right now. Or learning anything new. And that's what's hard for me to get over. YET, it has helped her self-esteem/confidence tremendously and that to me is worth more, and I have to remember that. And that it will get harder towards the end of the year and she will be challenged then.  Despite all that, we are very proud of her for making this decision as well. She comes home and tells me how kids in her class are always asking her how to spell words or how they now ask her for help with things in the classroom rather than the other way around. She feels confident and big. Which is what we were hoping would happen. We feel so lucky to be her Mom and Dad!

Emily saying good-bye to Madisen

Madisen has also started soccer and she loves it! She is so aggressive and isn't afraid to get in the middle of the action and kick the ball. She scored her first goal last week (her second soccer game ever), kicked it right between the legs of the goalie.  It was awesome. And she just beamed.  We are so proud of her.

Here are pictures from 3 different soccer games so far...

Taking a breather. 

"Hurry mom, take the picture." 

Almost scored again...Darn the goalie got it!

Avery started preschool this year. We decided since her birthday was so close to the cut-off date that we would give her another year at home that way she will be one of the oldest in her class too. I think its can make a big difference in confidence and maturity (at least with our kids, it does. Every kid is different). It was a tough decision though too, as Avery is starting to read simple books and she is learning new sight words everyday. But I think holding her back was the right thing for her as well.