First day of School

There is something exciting about the first day of school. The new clothes, supplies, teachers, shoes (my girls favorite), and seeing friends. But, I have mixed feelings about the entire thing. Each year my girls get older, look older, and are more mature. It is a good thing...but still makes my heart hurt - a little. I love the casualness and carefree attitude of summer, but every year this time of year comes again and my anxiety starts up. Anxiety over missing them, homework, friends, teachers, hurried schedules, etc. But, luckily every year the girls and I seem to survive and finish the year a little smarter in NUMEROUS ways!!

I am grateful for my sweet Kaylee who loves learning and loves the social aspects of school. She loves trying to make her school uniform "NOT" look like a school uniform. She is excited this year because she has a lot of friends in her class. Her perfectionist personality sure helps her excel in school. And she has a lot of good goals this year, including:
1) Get an "A" in math (she just realized that in order to be an architect or general contractor, you need to do well in Math. This has really motivated her this year to study for her tests and take more time on homework).
2) Do homework without complaining
3) Read a book with 250 pages (small words)
4) go snow skiing 15 times
5) do all splits
6) run 4-5 miles at the service run for school
7) learn to sloam ski
8) learn how to dive
9) Read 1st Nephi all by myself
10) Memorize articles of faith 1-7
11) Practice piano 20 minutes a day

Nicole makes me smile. She LOVES school and her teacher. Luckily, her teacher from summer school is her teacher this year. Her teacher told me," Learning is going to be difficult for Nicole, but her good attitude will make it possible. All Nicole has to do is look at me with that beautiful smile and sparkly eyes, and I know she will be just fine." We are learning more and more about Nicole's learning abilities, and I am SO grateful for GREAT teachers and understanding parents and friends. Nicole also has some wonderful goals this year, including:
1) Have fun in PE
2) Do well on spelling tests (her first one last week was 100%)
3) Learn Math Facts (addition and subtraction)
4) Read "Green Eggs and Ham" by myself
5) Finish Book of Mormon with family before baptism
6) Learn about the Holy Ghost
7) Read Primary Talk all by myself
8) Run with Mom from home to pool and back
9) Tie my own shoes
10) Learn proper freestyle and do atleast one swim meet
11) Have more play dates with friends

Taylor missed her sisters at school so she made them a banner with princesses. I loved her drawings.

My girls love homemade root beer, so this was their after school snack. YUM!! They also love the cold glass bottles...

Over the summer they discovered crepes and LOVE them. I surprised them with homemade crepes, chocolate, whip cream, powdered sugar, and fresh berries. They loved them.

Here is to another school year. It is going to be a great year- we will make it great!!

Really?! Why does this happen...

Yes!! That is a broken arm. I distinctly remember another daughter of mine breaking her arm at the age of 4. The first time we experienced a broken arm was in Moab, Utah and this time we were in Lake Powell. Luckily, the break wasn't as bad as Nicole's (Nicole needed surgery)...but still.

One thing that was so sad about this entire experience was my terrified little Taylor. Taylor is my most cautious child. She does everything with a weary eye - and of course, she was the one to break her arm. While Taylor was climbing up the ramp from the sand to the house boat, she fell only about 1 foot and must have landed just the right way. I heard her crying, picked her up, and she seemed to be just fine until you tried to move her arm. She wouldn't let us touch it. I even tried to touch it while she was sleeping, but she woke up angry with me.

Her sisters took good care of her until Warren and I decided what to do. Kaylee fed her and Nicole brought her blankie, Ruffy, and Eagle. Our friend Brandon radioed Bullfrog Marina and asked if they had x-rays at their urgent care center. They said, "Yes," so Warren zoomed off with screaming Taylor to the doctor. He was back 10 minutes later - no X-rays available.

So, my smart and resourceful husband with our very intelligent friend Brandon decided to make a splint out of duct tape and cardboard for Taylor to wear through the night. We than bandaged her up nice and tight. Poor thing screamed while Brandon and Warren got it on her, but afterward she did just fine and fell asleep.

The next morning, her arm was still hurting and bruised, so Warren took her to Price, Utah. Can you believe the closest Emergency Room was 2 1/2 hours away? Taylor was scared out of her mind when Warren left with her in the boat, and as I watched them leave...I cried. It is not easy to see your child in pain.

They arrived back in Lake Powell around 9pm and the lake was too dark, so Warren and Taylor slept on some random persons house boat. He asked the people who owned the house boat if he could borrow some foam pads and they took pity on my poor little girl. They were so nice to offer the house boat.
The next morning I was awoken by our boat pulling up and a big hug from my wounded little girl. She had a big smile on her face and showed me her bandaged arm and Eagle.

I wonder what will happen on our next trip...