My sister posted to her blog...which made me think...I should try that again.
The last year has been fun and crazy--we have moved, had my Dad and then Darryn's mom living with us before/after the TWINS arrived to help out, we had a non-traditional Thanksgiving in Kentucky with my Dad, I was on bedrest for about 6 weeks, the twins made their debut, we had our first Christmas with 4 kiddos, Darryn finished up his most difficult semester of his PhD program, I went back to work, the big girls plalyed soccer on the same team in the Spring, Kyley completed her 1st year of school, the big girls went to Texas for a month to visit the family...etc etc etc!
Kyely started first grade last week at a new school...her 4th new school since we moved to Kentucky. She went to 2 different pre-schools prior to starting Kindergarten last year. She has transitioned SO well and really seems to be excited about being at Audubon Traditional Elementary this year. Her teacher Mrs Conkling, was very nice and personable at the meet-the teacher day. Being the insane person that I am, I toted all 4 kiddos up to the school, so she understood and cut me some slack when I forgot all of Kyley's school supplies! We also found out that she also has 4 kids, the youngest of which are twins!
I was alos very pleased to find out that this teacher uses a system in her classroom where the kids "change their color" -- you know, if you talk in class, you might have to change the color to indicate a warning... multiple changes result in a note home. However, the exciting part, nd something I thing is very important for Kyley, is that she can also move back up (and even beyond) where she started. Everyone starts on green...you have 2 or 3 levels up and 2-3 levels down from where you start. Kyley got the highest color on Friday "star Student" and was SO proud of herself. As a kindergartner, she coul only move down on the color chart...and any kiddo that stayed on green for the week recieved a prize. She quickly figured out that if she had to change her color early in the week, she had not way of getting the prize. Now, Kyley isn't devious, but she is smart. The reward system in that class was not effective. I wrote all of that to make a parenting comment...kids always need to know that they have hoope, that we don't stay disappointed in them just because they mess up once, that we love them despite their mistakes/imperfections.
Now we are gearing up for the fall soccer season...we had pictures and orientation yeasterday. This should prove a little more difficult this season since the girls can't play on the same team. Both teams practice on the same night at the same time. Initially, practices were scheduled at 2 different locations, but the coaches fixed that for me when I called it to their attention. Games for both are on Saturdays.
The twins, Brandon and Brooklyn, are getting big. Both are crawling...well, Brooklyn's looks more like a frog-hop. I'll be working on catching some video soon. Brandon is into everything...computer cords and shoes are some of this favorite things... we have all kinds of barricades set up to keep him from getting hurt! We have also turned our back and found him sitting on top of a box (about a foot off the ground).
Darryn is doing well--he has taken up running again and is setting all kinds of personal records in the speed of his running. The best news is, he isn't hurting (knock on wood)! He has started working 1 weekend day/week --daycare for 3 is quite pricey.
I am good too...enjoying my time with my kiddos on the weekends and trying to accomplish some major projects/changes at work.
Well...the crazies are starting to wake up now... so I will go. Pictures to come!
Its going to be an exciting and crazy fall!
