School Projects

I have a hate love relationship with big school projects.  I love them because I get to spend a little more time with my kid working on something together (and the crafter in me enjoys it).  I hate them because, well... they are work and one more thing in my already busy schedule.  We have a had a few this past month.

Jayce was assigned an Indian project.  Jayce wanted to do a poster, the crafter in me hates them.  So, I persuaded Jayce to build a replica of a dwelling.  We of course chose Cherokee (that is the tribe Jason belongs to).  After doing some research we started building.  We had to enlist Jason's help on the construction of the bones of it all.  We tried to not just have it look like a replica, but be built correctly as well.  We were close, but not exact.  I had fun and I think Jason and Jayce did too.

Grahm was assigned to make a vest out of a brown paper bag.  It was part of his costume for their Thanksgiving program.  We made it the day before it was due (of course).  I didn't like the design so I started trying to get it to lay down like a vest should.  We had it looking nice.  Grahm was a little nervous of it after I had verbalized that I had made it wrong.  I offered to get another bag and re-make it correctly (I was even hoping, then it would lay better).  He said no and ran off to play.  Well at 8:00 am the next morning (30 minutes before we need to leave) he announced that he was going to be too embarrassed to wear the vest we had made.  Why did he have to pull that card, why didn't he just say he didn't like it.  So we scrambled to finish packing lunches and made another vest.  At the program I saw lots of different looking vests, the first on would have been fine.  Oh, well.

Jayce was recently assigned to make a clothespin doll.  Why?  I still have no idea.  Jayce chose to make Harry Potter.  This was an easy project and I really was able to stress being careful each step of the way so the final looks good.  Lucky for Jayce his mom has a huge scrap bin and we were able to find black fabric to make a cape.  His teacher tried to keep it!  Now he is hanging on the tree.

Falling Off

I know, I know - where did I go?  

Well a combination of Football and Soccer taking over my life, readjusting to hormones, an early return, Birthdays, and a birthday party are to blame for my blogging absence.

Here are First Day of School pics to enjoy while I get things back in order around here.

I miss this smile and this boy, it seems he is doing the Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde move on me this year.  I miss the sweet boy.

He is doing well other than Football is wearing him (and all of us) out.  Hope we have a good year.

First Days of School!

I love the first days of school.  Okay, not really, I just like the change in seasons.  It means it is starting to feel like Fall and the Eastern Idaho State Fair is going on.  Oh! Funnel Cakes, Fat slices of homemade bread, Philly Beef Sandwiches, and so much more!

Okay - well back to Okinawa and our First Days of School!  First off, not feeling like fall at all.  I am wondering when to break out the fall decorations (I think I had better finish painting and unpacking first).  I miss having my kiddos with me.  Even though our summer has not been lazy and comfortable, I wish it didn't have to end.

Jayce started third grade this year - wow!  Homework the first day!  Grammar ugh!- I feel bad for him (until his whining starts and then not so much).  He is in the Japanese Partial Immersion class, so he gets some Japanese every day.  He is to ask to use the restroom and other things in Japanese.  Once a month they eat a Japanese lunch, the call it O'Bento.  Check out this blog about O'bento.  He liked school for about 3 days, now it is horrible.  But - this year - I remember how he gets at the beginning - My Mr. Hyde - and I am prepared to patiently wait it out.  Based on the name tag - you might have guessed that these are actually after school pictures.  The movers showed up at 8am and Jason was off running errands, so in the mad rush to make sure he was not late for the first day - we forgot to get pictures (And the Bad Mom of the Year Award goes tooooo.. Me).

Grahm started Kindergarten this year and he was so excited.  His first day was a week after Jayce, so he spent and entire week asking me how many more days until he his first day.  I am so glad that he is excited.  After 2 days - he still likes it!  He is also in the Japanese Partial Immersion program.  Every day they get red, yellow or green depending on how they are behaving - 2 greens!!  He looks so grown up to me!  As usual, the walk back to the car means watery eyes - I don't know if a Mom is ever ready to let go completely - The world is so mean and unforgiving and I hate it when it wins a battle.

He was doing some kind of not opening his eyes thing for these pictures, at least he was smiling!

Hah, got his eyes open!

Reading his name in English and Japanese!

End of the day and he is still smiling!

Blogging Vacation Recap-2

Crazy Day!  At Jayce's school they have spirit week and there is theme for each day of the week.  Day 1 - Pajama Day (easy enough).  Day 2 - Dress Like a Twin (excuse me - but what does that mean).  Day 3 - Crazy Hair and Mixed up Clothes Day. Day 4 - School Colors (easy)

We ran into a glitch for Day 2.  I told Jayce on Day 1 to talk to someone at school about what they wanted to wear the next day to match (since this is how Jayce understood the day).  I told him I would prefer he work something out wearing what he already has - but if that could not be done that I would go and buy him the "Cracked Egg" Shirt at Target (since I knew that one of the boys had it).  Of course this is what they decided to do, so I sent Jason on his way home from work.  He couldn't find it.  Jayce didn't believe him, I said after dinner we would go to another Target and look.  We couldn't find it.  So we called the other boy and they worked something out - yeah.  When Jayce came home he told me that their other friend had found the shirt (that was the first I had heard of a third child - oops).

Day 3 - Was fun, I tried to make him look super mixed up.  How do you do that with a boys wardrobe.  Their wardrobe is designed to mix and match, they don't usually have stripes and plaids to clash. 

We put red and blue spikes in his hair (before we go to Japan I am buying all the colors!!).  T-shirt inside out - one arm rolled to expose Pink Striped Arm Warmer, Neck Tie, Pants - one leg rolled to expose Dad's Black Dress Sock, Basket Ball Shorts - and there you have it!!

A Reminder

This post is to remind me, that when Jayce is starting school to be patient. I need to remember that this will pass.

When Jayce started Kindergarten I was excited for him, but my bubble was quickly popped. Suddenly he wasn't Jayce anymore. He had a serious personality change. I was patient with it for a few days. Then it stretched into a few weeks and I started to panic. I was wondering what had happened to him. I was imagining also sorts of bad things that must have happened to cause such a major personality shift.

I was ready to pull him out of Kindergarten. He was ready intellectually - he could read, say his ABC's, count, etc... But, maybe he wasn't ready.

And just like that, he was Jayce again.

I had this epiphany on Friday, when I was emotionally done dealing with an angry 7 year old. I need to remember that Jayce has a hard time dealing with changes in his routine. He is okay with one or two days being off, but settling into a new routine is hard. He was not quite this hard at the beginning of summer, but it still was not fun.

Next year I will be prepared, I think, unless...

What am I going to do next year if Grahm reacts the same way - I think I might go on vacation and let the equally grouchy Dad take care of it!!

Geary's Are...

Over the past two years I have heard of lots of families who choose a theme to focus on together to create better family unity and improve themselves. I loved the idea. I saw pictures of back to school nights with banners, elegantly set tables, fashion shows, crowns, themes, and yummy food. I heard of Family Home Evenings where families decided what they wanted to be known for. My younger sister was with it and has done similar things with her kids. So....

I decided to join in on this great idea. Mind you that most of the examples I have seen involved girls - so we attempted with our boys (We skipped the fashion show).

Jayce had been in school for 3 days before we had our act together and everyone home to start this tradition (I hope). I set the dining room table, used the china (which really isn't china), improvised a centerpiece to go with the theme, made a banner, improvised a desert (so much for planning ahead), and made crowns (more on that later).

As we sat down to dinner we had our Family Home Evening lesson and discussion as we ate (Jason has to go to bed early these days). We discussed what we wanted Geary's to be known for. Jason and I had decided the night before that Respect would be our goal. We discussed what Respect was and how to be more Respectful. We will continue to work on it.


I shared the story about the Prince who was captured by enemies. While in captivity they subjected him to all sorts of evil activities. After years of this, they asked him why he never joined in with the fun. He replied that he was born to be a king and that is why he did not join in on that kind of behavior. I reminded the boys of their divinity and how we should act because they were born to be Kings. (Thus the crowns I had them wear) I tied it in with being respectful.

We also started a job chart and an allowance. I had to make it completely objective, because I am a Mom who when she gets frustrated would take away their allowance (Meanest Mom in the World). If they don't get one of their jobs done that day, they lose their allowance for the day. Easy Peasy - except sometimes they tell me they don't care if they don't get their allowance. I love being a Mom!!

We concluded the night with all the kids getting a Father's blessing. It was lots of fun and I hope that by the end of the school year we will be a more respectful family!!


Looking Cool!!

Back to School

I have obviously put off this post. I really only put it off for a few days because Jayce chose to miss the first week of school to go to the Eastern Idaho State Fair (way more fun).

I guess I am not one of those Mom's who loves back to school. I like our summer routine, there is more flexibility and Jayce actually has free time. On the other hand I love fall, I love the new school clothes, school supplies, etc... I love the excitement and anticipation that builds just before they get to start a new adventure. So I should love it, right?

I miss our lazy mornings, snuggling after everyone else has chose to rush off to their errands and routines. I miss our togetherness, Jayce has an adjustment period. He comes home so cranky and mean. He is annoyed with Grahm all the time, tells him to Shut Up (so rude). He pesters Charlotte and has a hard time when being asked to do something. Once it becomes routine Mr. Hyde leaves us in peace.

I am sure the old days had their problems too. When kids did not attend school regularly because they were needed at home to work on the farm and education was primarily the mothers job. I still find myself wondering if I would like it better.

I would still want my children to have the best education the world has to offer, but I think they end up missing the most important knowledge. Family togetherness, working hard, and many other attributes they would learn best by working side by side with their parents.

I guess I will just have to adjust to the new routine and step it up at home.

He loves his GI Joe Lunchbox!!



The whole gang ready to take him to school for his first day of Second Grade - only missed the first five days of school!!

Bucks Vs Bulls

We got to go see the Bucks play the Bulls at the Bradley Center. We went with Jayce's Basketball Team. It was lots of fun, we were in the nose bleed section - but the kids loved it. We need to do this kind of stuff more often.

Erinals,.... anyone?

Today was the first day of First Grade. School marks the passing of time, he is getting older. Jayce was so excited. He had lots of fun, played with all of his friends at recess, has his own spot at table #4. The best part of First Grade is the bathrooms! That's right folks, the bathrooms. In Kindergarten the bathroom is in the classroom, but in first grade it is in the hall. You get to use the "erinals or the stall," Jayce likes the erinals best.

Jayce, I love you. Have lots of fun in first grade, always do your best, try new things, choose the right, say your prayers whenever you need help, and don't wish for tomorrow. No mother could be prouder!