Transitional Kindergarten

This is the day Contessa has been waiting for...

And I mean she's been waiting like years!

Being the 4th child requires a lot of waiting!

Today was her day to start Transitional Kindergarten. 

4 days a week she will spend 2 hours in the kindergarten classroom and then 2 hours in preschool. 

Avery planned for 2 days to make this a special morning for her. 

It was so precious and sweet. 

Tess was so excited by the decorations and table set up. 

Avery even had little gifts for her. 

Avery is so so thoughtful. 

So cute. 

Really, how is she so old?

And completely cute?

'Take a picture of my back pack mommy!'

She has not been nervous or scared. 

She told me she could walk by herself. 

Uh no.

She really wanted me to just stay at home. 

About half way there she grabbed my hand and Tori's and held on really tight. 

But then she found her friend, Caturella and all was good. 

Again, she had no use for me and said I could leave. 

All the older three got some serious nervousness at this point...but not her. 

Which is SO Contessa!

The school has no idea what these two are going to come up with together...they are quite the pair!

So I said goodbye and left before I would cry. 

Then I looked down and this one was sobbing.

'Where did my Tessa go?

I want my Tessa!'

Me too sweet girl, me too.  

Art

Our art curriculum this year is so fun and I think the kids are going to love our art days. 

Today's lesson focused on frustration...and used Joni Eareckson Tada as an example of an artist who had every right to be frustrated...but who did not. 

If you don't know Joni's story, read it here...http://www.joniandfriends.org/jonis-corner/jonis-bio/

I grew up with my mom telling me about Joni a lot. She loved art. One of her favorite Christmas decorations was a picture that Joni created. I love Joni's story. 

The kids then tried to see what they could produce using only their mouths, instead of hands and arms, just like Jodi. 

They all thought that was fun until they saw how difficult this was. 

They were to copy a butterfly. 

Lauren actually did a great job on it...but was happy when she could go back to using her hands! 

First Day 2013-2014 School Year!

Everyone was full of excitement for our first day.

I assume mostly because it involved really fun things like a big breakfast, crafts, gifts and more crafts. 

Hopefully the excitement will continue when we are deep in the midst of our curriculum!

My minions making minions!

Finished products...SO cute!

Torrance was uncharacteristically good during school time today.

Im not holding my breath that it will last!!!

The night before....

Twas the night before school started and all through the house,

Not a creature was stirring,

Wait, except for the teacher!!!

We are all so excited for tomorrow. 

Its going to be a great day!

Since my phone picture is hard to read...

Here's our agenda:

Breakfast

All about me

Gifts

Exploring new books

Minnion Craft

Math

Shrinky Dinks

Earle Family Camping 2013!

Way back last Spring my brother Nick planned a huge Earle family camping trip. 

We new mom would love it. 

After she died we decided to keep the reservations and have fun in her honor. 

It was three of my brothers, their families and 2 of my cousins and their kids. 

We all rented these cute cabins. 

Cute and uh, rustic?

Nick was the master chef all weekend. 

He is quite the whiz on the grill I tell you!

Poor Josh got something in his eye and was sidelined for awhile.

Beautiful girl

Beautiful, silly girls. 

Jaden and Tess. 

No idea what happened in this pic...but its great...my cousin Joy and her oldest Julia. 

Lots of time around the fire. 

Nick didnt have any marshmallows. ;)

 The kids played tons of games. 

Uno and Spot it were their favorites. 

The adults played Pepper!!

We were in Amish Country. 

We had a fun time on Saturday at the Nature Center near by. 

Avery really wants a turtle now! 

 And I want wildflowers. 

Torrance did great and loved every second of the trip. 

We also had a fishing derby on Saturday.

Sullivan had the time of his life all weekend and this was one of his highlights.

Uncle Jordan was the fisherman extraordinaire. 

 Although we headed back to the campsite with no food for supper. 

The campground had lots of activities for kids - crafts, scavenger hunt and hay rides. 

My Uncle Roger (dad's only sibling) and Aunt Jean showed up on Saturday night for supper. 

We spent a lot of time asking Roger questions about my grandpa's time in WWII. 

I regret so much never sitting and really listening when my dad would talk to us like this. 

Then Roger, Jordan and Joe taught Sullivan the important life skill of Snipe Hunting. 

 My seriously cute nephews!!

 And I cannot leave these last two pictures out...at some point Jordan found a funny youtube video and then these 4 watched it repeatedly and were laughing hysterically. 

The rest of us had fun watching them laugh! 

It was a fantastic weekend. 

Bittersweet due to the gaping holes that were not filled by mom and dad. 

But I love knowing that they would be so happy knowing we were all together and talking about them. 

Look whose back...

Whew. 

Here I am. 

Is anyone still checking in?

Its been quite the summer.

I will admit that this summer was not fun. 

It all came to a head for me about mid-June.

The grief, the guilt, the shock, the realization that both our parents were gone.

And when I reached that head, I retreated. 

I didnt want to see people.

Didnt want help.

Didnt want to be told what I did not want to hear, even if I knew it to be true. 

The months of June and July are a complete blur.

I dont remember much. 

All the while I knew that God was waiting. 

Waiting for my breaking point and my realization to turn back. 

He was calling...but not barging in. 

He's awesome like that. 

This verse was playing through my heart a lot,

Psalm 34:19

'The righteous person may have many troubles. 

But the Lord delivers him from them all.'

I love that. 

I love that it never promises we will have no troubles. 

But it promises that in the midst of the troubles He is there. 

And He will deliver...bringing peace and healing. 

I love this one too...

Psalm 91:4

'He will cover you with His feathers, 

and under His wings you will find a refuge. 

His faithfulness will be your shield and rampart.'

Its so true. He's always there. And I am covered. 

I have a ways to go but over the past couple weeks I have felt like, 'Becky'

more than I have since April 4th. 

And good things are happening now...Fall is coming...its really my first love.

School is starting - ROUTINE!...my second love

And leaving this summer behind...is just fine with me. 

Sayonara, Summer 2013!

I wont really miss ya!

We've had some really good moments in August though that prove my improved disposition.

My sleeping baby laying on me on a boat ride. 

Happy kids tubing!

Bedtime stories with Grandma.

(This lady is a huge blessing to me...makes the hole where my 

mom is not quite so gapping. I love her.)

I have much to blog about and Im purposefully carving out time to get back at it. 

I know that Im going to look back and be so sad that the 'summer activities' were horribly documented.