Back to School

Rachel started 3rd grade at the neighborhood school, Barratt Elementary.  She is signed up for soccer and gymnastics and takes piano from Grandma Nancy.  She loves the color black, Ninjago legos & Star Wars (although she has only seen the first movie so far, her cousins fill her in on the details and characters of all the other movies).  

She has an opinion about what she wears and how she wears her hair.  I can't quite figure out her style, but she definitely likes her clothes comfy and loose (baggy).  

She tells me a lot of what happens at school, and for that I am so grateful!  After the first day, she told me that her day was 90% great and 10% not great because of what the boys at her table were talking about.  She said her favorite color was black and a student said that if she liked it she should paint her face and body black so that she has black skin.  That made her feel uncomfortable, and we were able to talk about why that wasn't appropriate or respectful for him to say.  Then they told her all about how both of the presidential candidates were liars and if Hillary Clinton was elected that she would kill babies (translation=abortion) and that they were voting for Donald Trump because they want a boy to win.  I know she's our oldest, and consequently not exposed to as much as others who have older siblings, but I didn't think we'd need to talk about these adult topics with her yet!  But thankfully, she told me and we were able to have a really great discussion about politics/party system,  and standards and values.  

Andrew FINALLY started Kindergarten.  In Utah, Kinder starts a week later & it is only half-day.  Rachel told me this week that it wasn't really fair that Andrew didn't have to go full day like she did and she feels like he should make up for all that school time that she had to do.  Ha!

He was a little nervous the night before, but the morning of, he woke me up at 7am and was completely ready for school - he even had his backpack on.  So I knew he was excited!  When he got done, he said it was "boring" and that "school stinks", so we will see how the year goes!  :)

Andrew still loves clothes (mostly athletic wear & pajamas).  He loves playing on team sports (mostly for the snacks and a new jersey), loves pizza & Chick Fil A (eats a 12 count and then wants more!) and he loves to jump on the trampoline.

Kendall started preschool at Miss Jill's preschool (two weeks after Rachel started).  She gets to be in class with her cousin, Cole & friend, Mia.  She is so excited and wishes preschool was everyday!

She chose her outfit on the first day and wanted to wear a scarf.  She is definitely a girly-girl.  She has been putting lots of things in her mouth these days (her shirt, pillows, stuffed animals), so Brandon commented that the scarf looked like it was in good chewing position.  That made me laugh because her and I had to have a full-on conversation about what she should and shouldn't chew on when we were on our way to school.

Kendall loves to play!  She plays well independently, but also plays well with friends.  She also plays well with Andrew and Rachel (they sometimes fight over her).  She is still a picky eater, but she is starting to try bites of things, which is huge!  She still loves chocolate milk, Sonic corn dogs, hot dogs, Chick-Fil-A nuggets, and a few soups that I make.  She dislikes all fruit, unless they are in smoothie form.  She tolerates cooked carrots sometimes.

She says the sweetest things and has the cutest little voice!  She loves chatting with anyone who will listen.  She's confident and tries her best.  She is a light in our lives!