New Team

 My sixth grade team! 

Maddie Smith-Math

JoAnn Cline- Reading

Stacey Packard- Writing 

My First Class Room

 I've put alot of work into my first classroom. The first thing I did was paint over the awful yellow with a warm and clean white. It was hard work and I'm so grateful Scott was there to help. We're a good team. He's a perfectionist, while I want to move quickly and get done. After a few coats, it was looking like a whole new room. 

I rearraged the desks to help foster discussion, keep the blinds open to let in lots of light, and have multiple seating areas for the kids to use during free work. I'm really happy with how it is coming together. Theres lots to be done, but I'm learning there always will be. 

My favorite part is the buffalo wall that says, "Into the Storm". When a storm comes, Buffalo naturally run into the storm, knowing they will get through it quicker than if they ran away from it. I am going to encourage my kids to face their hard things head on and not run away. Whenever they have accompished a hard, they are going to put it on a post-it and stick it to the wall. Hopefully, by the end of the year it will be full of hard things and they can be proud of what they accomplished and see how they are ready for middle school. 

I can't wait for this school year and to get started with my new sixth graders. 

Football Snacks

When you're in charge for freshman and JV football, Costco is the only place to buy snacks. And believe it or not, we'll be back in a few weeks!

 

Well Checks Retake

When I took all the boys to get well checks, I knew I had to reinact this photo from eight years ago. I can't belive how much they've grown. They are all healthy, happy, and full lof life. 

At 16.5 years old, Tayden is 72.25 inches and 143 pounds. 

At 15.5 years old, Beckett is 71 inches and 172 pounds. 

At almost 13 years old, Cache is 63 inches and 108 pounds. 

At 10 years old, Kyle is 58.25 inches and 105 pounds. 

 

Foot of Stitches

 Beckett decided to add some adventure to the summer and cut his foot open on his dirt bike. He was standing on his foot peg and slipped. It sliced his foot and he ended up with 14 stitches. We had to laugh at the doctors office because there was a painting of a little boys with his bare foot on a sword. Beckett said, "Thats not a good idea. He's going to cut his foot and have to get stitches." I died laughing. He's been laid up for a few days and will propably be for a few more. Its going to put a damper on football, but hopefully he'll be up and moving soon. 

Grid Kid

We have a new grid kid player in the house! Kyle has decided to play football this year. Its been fun as his older brothers have helped him get ready, learn plays and work on his stance. Tayden even got to help with his first camp. which Kyle loved. He has practice every day for the first three weeks and thats been hard, but he has actually really enjoyed it. Hes been sore, but loves working hard. 

I decided to push football on Kyle because he really needed to be a part of something. I wanted him to have the same community that the older boys have with football and Cache has with Taekwondo. I'm hopeful he'll find it in football. 

 

Tall as a Tree

 Its no secret that I love my trees. And though Scott doesn't always act like it, he does too. He was just floored how big they have grown. 

Braces

 Cache is the latest of the boys to get braces. He is just the opitomy of a pubesent boy. Squeaky voice, spots of acne, and braces. I can't believe how quickly my boy is growing! 

Luna Update

Well, I wish I had a more postitive update for Luna. Unfortunatly, she has lost sight in her other eye and is now completely blind. She is learning to naviagte the world around her, but its been full or bumps. She does okay getting around the house if its tidy and everything stays in its place, but she doesn't play anymore. She lays around most of the days and rarely goes outside on her own. 

We have decided as long as she is safe and happy, then we can keep her. As soon as one of those two things aren't happening anymore, then we have to put her down. We're nervous for the winter. She uses the ground outside as indicators to get around. She knows if she steps on rocks then shes going the wrong direction. She knows if she finds the cement, then shes almost to the steps. I'm worried without those, she won't be able to find her way back into the house. I would hate for her to get lost ouside while we are at school and wokrk for the day. 

It has been a hard transition and we're taking it day by day. And I pray we make the right choice as it comes.