Parkinson Family: School Days

Sunday, October 21, 2012

School Days

I know it has been over a month since school started, but I wanted to post a few pictures from the big day. On August 28th, the kids headed back to school and I had mixed feelings. Of course, I was very excited for them to go back- mostly because they were all so excited! But, I would also miss having them around. We had gotten a pretty good routine set up at home with chores, reading and learning time, and play time every day and I was sad to see that end.

Erika in her new class- 4th grade!

Some things that are different this year vs. last year is that Erika, Kyle, and Heidi all go to school all day this year. Heidi has been in preschool the last 2 years a few days a week for a couple hours, so this was a big jump for her to go to school all day. I wasn't worried about the length of time, though, as she LOVES SCHOOL. (I guess it is just ME that is having anxiety for HER.) Kyle was in half-day kindergarten last year so I went from having one in school all day with two half-day kids to 3 all-day kids, quite a change! So, now it's just me, Jared, and Jordan at home all day. It's a lot quieter and nice in a way, but I also miss the 3 oldest while they're gone. It is also nice to have all 3 of them walk to school together in the morning and walk home together.

Kyle found his seat and was ready to learn! 1st Grade

I wasn't too worried about Erika and Kyle with the transition to a new class. They both did awesome making new friends and being examples to the other kids. Parent Teacher Conference last week was a big pay-day for me to hear about their progress in school.

I was mostly concerned about Heidi going to all-day kindergarten. I don't think I've ever felt this way before, but I had all these fears: "How will she eat lunch there without me?" and "What if she can't button up her pants in the bathroom?" or "What if she gets lost in the building and can't find her class?" I just wanted to go to school with her all day and hold her hand, and help her through it all. But I know I can't. Eventually you have to let them venture out and learn it on their own, even if they aren't completely independent. I know she has so many challenges to overcome before I feel like she is where she needs to be. But, she has a wonderful teacher and a smaller class so I am confident that this will be a good year for her as well. I have the opportunity of helping in her class once a week and it has been great to be involved in what they are doing at school and to see how Heidi is doing. I also leave every time with a greater appreciation for what they are teaching at school and don't think I could do the same with her at home. She is already making great progress and I am so pleased!

Can you tell Heidi is excited about kindergarten?

1 comment:

VickiOctober 23, 2012 at 6:55 PM
What cute students!! I may be a little biased but I am certain they are the cutest, smartest kids in their classes.
ReplyDelete
Replies

Add comment

Parkinson funnies

Nov 2012- Aaron was watching football on TV and Jared came out saying, "I want to go watch grass!"

Dec 2011- Heidi said one morning, "Mom, there's frosting on the house!" (on a cold day when frost was on the house).

June 2, 2011- Driving in the car Kyle said to his sister, "If you don't learn to talk, Jesus will make you talk Spanish." (He explained later that he actually meant sign language. That's how he thought it worked.)

Feb 28, 2011- Kyle said, "I don't like to have babysitters because they are only supposed to take care of babies!" Then we explained that they can take care of bigger kids too.

Dec 15, 2010- Kyle said, "I know how they make egg nog. First they dump in the eggs and mix them around. Then they put in the nog..."

Oct 20, 2010- Kyle said, "Mom, is some cheese blue?" I said it is called blue cheese but isn't really that blue. He said, "Well, then does it taste like blueberries?" I love all the questions he asks about how the world works- He's really trying to figure things out.

Oct 7, 2010- We were driving by Arctic Circle and Kyle said, "Is that the hamburger hut? I like that hut." I am wondering if he was remembering a time when we went to "Pizza Hut".

Aug 12, 2010- We were driving by a farm where there was a big fire burning up the field and Kyle said, "Dad, is that where the indians live?"

Aug 8, 2010- We were driving in the car and Kyle said, "Dad, I think I 'm truck-sick." "You mean car sick?" "No, truck sick- when you're sick in the truck."

Aug 2, 2010- We were headed off to a doctor's appointment for the baby and he was crying. Kyle said, "Mom, I think he's crying because you said he is going to get a shot."

June 28, 2010- The other day at dinner it was Heidi's turn to pray and daddy was helping her. She was just repeating everything word for word when he got to "Please bless it.." and said it 3 times. Finally I had to open my eyes to see what the hold up was. Well, little Heidi was just stuffing spaghetti in her mouth as fast as she could and it was hanging out all over. We all just bust up laughing. I guess she just couldn't wait any longer!

May 19, 2010- On the way home from the hospital after seeing their new baby brother, Erika said, "When I was born mom and dad said that I looked blue." Kyle said, "And when I was born I was pink and red. "

Dec 9,2009- The other day we were eating dinner and Kyle didn't want to eat. He said, "I don't like to eat aliens!" We told him there were no aliens in his dinner. Then, realizing what he was talking about, I said, "You mean onions?" He kept calling onions "aliens" and we got a kick out of it.

Nov 20, 2009- Erika lost another tooth at school today. Kyle said to her, "Erika, when my tooth gets loose and comes out, I'll give mine to you."

Oct 10, 2009- Today Erika said, "Mom, someday when I'm older, I want to get that recipe from you!"

Sept 9, 2009- We couldn't find our puppy anywhere and had driven all over the neighborhood to find him. Finally about 2 hours later Kyle showed up holding him and I said, "Where did you find him?" He said, "In the killer-box". "The what?" "The cooler-box". He had stuck him in a cooler in our backyard and forgotten about it. We were glad he was okay!! I felt terrible and gave him some extra TLC for a little while.

Sept 4, 2009- Erika said tonight, "You know what my favorite thing is about school? It's lunch... and learning... and break!" We said, "Isn't that the whole thing?"

Aug 17,2009- We were camping and had brought all our bikes. As we were leaving camp for a little while, Aaron commented that it might have been wise to bring a chain to lock up our bikes so they wouldn't get stolen. Erika said, "Or, we could have just brought a sign that said, 'DON'T STEAL!'".

July 12, 2009- Today at church Kyle looked at my Young Women's Medallion and said, "Mom, is that you on the necklace?"

July 3, 2009- Kyle had been sleeping down in Erika's room with some friends and came upstairs before we went to bed. He said, "Mom, there was some noise down there. I think it was the tooth fairy, coming to get the loose tooth."