First Day of School!

This week was the first week of school for us. Ryley was so excited to be going to preschool. She didn't cry just like she said. When we picked her up she said she had a great time and couldn't wait to go back. However, later in the evening the anxiety/stress got the better of her and she had a good 30 min. cry. All I could do was hold her and smile, because the harder she cried the harder Jodie cried too. At one point I am holding Ryley in one hand, Jodie in the other, and the dog has his head on my shoulder totally confused as to why everyone is crying. All the while the boys are in Mason's room discussing why he hates school. Oh the joys of change!

Mason's first day of school was fine too. He was excited and nervous, but didn't cry this year. However, he has decided he never wants to go back again. He says the kids are stupid because they won't listen to the teacher. I have basically had to drag him out of the car every day because he doesn't want to go. Plus, his backpack broke so we had to get a new one. That's what I get for buying a $5 backpack.

This was taken after football practice.

Jodie "walking" the dog. She loves her dog.

Need Advice!!!

Ok so no pictures today, but I promise I will post some next week! Right now I need advice, and opinions on schooling!

We had Mason's open house last night and found out that there may be a large influx of children coming into his school. The class sizes could be as large as 25 or more children, which seems terribly cramped. There are a few issues we have with his school anyway, but things I have been willing to overlook due to the fact that we adore his teacher, we like the ideas of the school, and the class sizes have always been under the DESE guidelines.

I am not against public education, let me just say that first! However, I am very concerned about the issues that will come with larger class sizes, teacher moral, and overall school quality. I have never felt the need to judge a school due to its test scores, because for my part the test can go into the river! A good teacher should not be judged according to some test, if you want to know if the teacher is a good teacher watch him/her in action. Visit the school, talk with the principal, and talk with your student.

Now with all this being said we are at a crossroad! Ryan and I are considering our options for schooling next year they are: change schools in the district, home school, or possibly private school. There are of course pros and cons to each, but I am still unsure which would be the best for our family!

If we go the private school route there are several in town, the biggest draw back for me is the cost! The only other issue I see is the lack of diversity. I do like the idea of a college prep school or a christian school, but again I am not sure.

The homeschooling option is not everyone's favorite idea and to be quite honest I am not sure either. There is tons of resource material out there for homeschooling, and a couple groups here that we could become apart of. I am trying to look at this very carefully because I truly want them to have the very best education possible. However, I am not sure I am capable of giving it to them. I have tried to think realistically about this and I think I could do it, but do I want to??

The nice thing about living here is we have tons of resources and activities that the kids could be involved in regardless of where they go to school. Mason could still be in football, basketball, baseball. There is gymnastics, dance, and even cheer leading for Ryley and Jodie. We have swimming, and music lessons plus a host of other things we could be involved in.

So what do you think? Please don't be shy about opinions, trust me when I say all the advice will be welcome and you will not hurt my feelings in the least. We know that at the end of the day this is God's decision and he will make it clear in time!

Thanks for reading my scattered thoughts!

Grant's Farm and Camping

Friday Ryan took the day off so we could go to the zoo. However, the zoo was packed so we decided to go to Grant's Farm instead. After getting lost thanks to my amazing map reading skills, we finally headed in the right direction and made it to the farm.
Mason and Ryley fed the goats.

Jodie liked all the animals, but she kept calling them all puppies.

So now you all know another use for the Happy Meal box.

It makes a great hat!

Saturday night we decided to set up our tent and camp in the backyard.

Our tent is huge!! We all slept outside, but Jodie had had enough by 2:00 am so I took her inside. Then there was some commotion outside (some intoxicated people who were lost!) and the big kids and Ryan came in about 4:30 am.

Basketball and Baseball

So these pictures were supposed to go at the end of the blog, but for some reason I can't get them to move and since I am in no mood to mess with trying to figure this out I am leaving them here. You are all smart enough to understand the order even if it is not in order!

When the boys went to the Cardinals game we girls went shopping. Ryley needed a backpack for preschool and she wanted some sparkly stuff. So this is what she picked out! After shopping we went out to eat and then home for naps. Mason started basketball recently and he loves it. I think he just loves doing something competitive!

The girls haven't been doing too much lately so this is the only picture I have of them. One of our friends brought us some fresh picked green beans and the girls were helping me break them.

The boys went on their annual trip to the Cardinals game last Sunday. They had a blast and according to Ryan, "The best seats ever!"

Here is one really excited little boy!

I love his toothless smile (he is going to lose his other top tooth very soon!). Mason loves getting peanuts at the game.

After the game Mason was able to run the bases and slap five with Fred Bird. This was the coolest thing ever!

Thanks Papa Mick for the best day ever! My boys haven't quit talking about it since!

Last T-Ball Game and Dressing up

Mason had his last t-ball game of the season. Next season will be coach pitch and he is already looking forward to it.

He loves his medal! My little football player with his two cheerleaders. I didn't have a purple skirt or pom poms for Ryley so we improvised!

Jodie playing dress up.

The kids playing dress up. Ryley was the Queen.

All the kids love helping Jodie. She is the princess farmer.

Warsaw

We went to Warsaw with my entire family for the weekend. Let's just say eight adults and five children do not fit well in a three bedroom cabin! Ha! Even being cramped we managed to have a good time. Jodie with her water gun. She couldn't get it to shoot for awhile and when she finally figured it out she always pointed it at her face.

Mason shooting Granny! No one is safe when my kids have water guns!

Look at that grin!!!

Another cute grin.

Don't jump Erin!?! We were making s'mores over the fire.

We walked over this swinging bridge, Jodie liked looking at the water.

She was pointing at some guys in a boat.

Everyone had to have a turn getting their picture done.

We went into a one room school house, here is Jodie being the teacher and Mason on the piano.

Mason wanted to check out the outhouse again (we were there last year too.) Papa told him their might be a "woolly booger" in there.

Fun, Family, and the Fourth

Mason is now missing three teeth. He looks like a first grader.

Jodie playing at Grandma and Grandpa Silverwood's
Mason loves playing catch with Papa.

Hula anyone?

You go Grandma....shake it!

We went to the lake for the fourth this year. Cowboy hated the fireworks and Jodie only liked them when she needed something to keep her awake.

Mason and Ryley loved the fireworks! Thanks Uncle Tommy and Aunt Erin for such a fun night!