Back to School Blues

And just like that, summer vacation is over and Luke has joined the big kids at Lakeview Elementary.  The title of this post makes me laugh because Luke was completely excited to start school and the First Grade, it was his mama who had the blues over it all.  Kindergarten had been great, but I hated the idea of him being gone .  I was also nervous about him being thrown togehter with all the big kids.  I had to work hard not to let him feel my anxieties though because I didn't want him to feel the slightest doubt or concern about heading into the First Grade.  In the week or two before school started, we spent a lot of time getting him settled and ready - we picked out his outfits for the first week, bought his school supplies, and went to nearly every store in the valley to find the perfect backpack (black, Nike).  There were  a few items to check off the list and then all of a sudden, we were walking my baby to his first day as a First Grader and Lakeview Lion. 

Luke and I had talked about him needing a haircut before school started - his summer buzz cut was looking pretty shaggy.  Somehow time got away from us and Monday we realized we were about out of time.  I told Luke that Tim could take him to get it cut but he begged me to go with because he said I knew the right way to get it done.  I told him I would see if I could make it work to be there and he finally asked me if I could ask my boss if I could go with him to get his haircut.  Well with a request like that, what could I say....I promised that I would make an appointment and we would get it cut on Tuesday.  The stylist did such a great job with him and he said it was exactly how he wanted it.  As I sat and watched him getting it cut I realized (again) just how lucky I am to have this boy.

Tuesday night we all went to the school for Back to School night.  Luke had been a little anxious about having a new teacher and classmates so it was great for him to be able to see his classroom and meet his teacher.  Mrs. Clark will be his First Grade teacher and I think she will be perfect for him.  Luke realized that he knew several other kids in his class so I think that made him feel a lot better.  He found a desk where he wanted to sit and said goodbye until the next day.

After Back to School night we hurried home to have Luke's celebration dinner.  He was very particular about the menu and ate everything on his plate - chicken drumsticks, carrots, apples, watermelon, daddy's famous lemonade, and mint chocolate chip ice cream for dessert.  

Luke picked out his outfit for the first day of school a few weeks ago.  When we woke him up to get ready for school he was a little groggy, and definitely sleepy.  But, after a minute of reminding him about school, he quickly got himself up and dressed and was so pleased with how he looked, shoes and all.  At this point Luke is still really cooperative with pictures and was very willing to take the time to pose for as many pictures as I requested.  At one point he asked me if I was going to cry and I told him I already had earlier that morning.  Ruby actually slept through all of the festivities so it was nice for Tim and I to be able to just focus on Luke and let the entire morning be all about him. 

Check out his shoes!

As we left our house to walk to school, we immediately saw our neighbor Brooke and walked with her and her family for a bit.  Then we ran into Drake and Koa and Luke's morning was made.  The three of them stopped just long enough to let the moms get a picture, then they raced off towards the school.  Watch out world, these boys are ready for the First Grade. 

Luke had picked out his desk at Back to School Night, so as soon as we arrived, he rushed right over got to work.  He was sweet enough to give me a hug, but clearly was ready to get the school year started.  

By the time school was out, Ruby and Tim were more than ready to go pick Luke up from his class.  Luke is such a fun kid to be around because he always expects the best and gets so excited about most things in life.  When we asked him how his first day went, he said "It was the best day ever!".  I would have expected that for the first day, but so far, that continues to be his answer every day when he gets home from school.  Seems like Luke and First Grade are going to be just fine together.  

Luke was so excited to start First Grade missing three of his front teeth - he loved it when I called him my Toothless First Grader.  He started off the day with one bottom tooth hanging on for dear life, but by that afternoon, he had lost the final tooth of his front four.  It was the perfect timing and a great way to end his first day in the First Grade.

 First project of the First Grade!

Happy Birthday Tim, 2018

On August 9, 2018 we were able to spend the weekend celebrating Tim's 48th birthday.  On Thursday morning, the little kids and I woke Tim up with breakfast and a treasure hunt to find his presents.  Luke and Ruby had worked hard the night before to finish their cards and find the best hiding places and it was fun to watch them try to guide him with hints of "warmer" and "colder".  Once the presents were found they were more than happy to help with the opening.  We all love Tim so much so the day he was born is definitely something worth celebrating.

Tim and the kids spent the day hanging out and playing and then we met his parents for dinner and birthday cake.  The day's celebrations weren't too elaborate, but I had wanted to make sure Tim felt loved and appreciated and he said that it had been a really great day so mission accomplished.

When Tim and I talked about different activities we could do to celebrate his birthday, it was clear that what mattered most to him was just having the entire family together.  With so many different schedules, it can be tough to get everyone together at once, but we made it happen on Friday and it turned out to be one of the best birthday celebrations ever.  The big kids met us to drive up to Tibble Fork Reservoir where we played in the sand and water, ate, danced, and laughed.  It was the perfect activity for our wide range of ages and really, everyone had a great time.  

On Saturday we were invited to the Sundance Summer Theater to see Oklahoma.  We used Tim's birthday as an excuse for some extra time together and took the kids to Santaquin for a sleepover.  The play was not our favorite, but it was still just so nice to be together 

On Sunday we finally had the last of the celebrations - Sunday dinner in Santaquin with Tim's choice of food and dessert.  He chose my grandma's pork chops which I'm sure made her smile in heaven, and a strawberry shortcake trifle.  All of the kids get so excited to help with the candles and of course, Tim was more than happy for the assistance.  We sure are lucky to have him!

These last two shots are mostly just for fun, but I love how each one shows the kids as a total miniature version of their dad.  Luke was just so proud to sit there enjoying the sunshine with Tim, and Ruby's copy cat moment was completely unrehearsed and unknown by her.  I woke up that morning and just sat and laughed at the fact that they looked exactly the same while sleeping.