Monday, September 12, 2011

First Day of School 2011-12

NATHAN
Nathan is a SOPHOMORE (!!) this year at West Jordan High. I can't believe I am old enough to have a son in high school. I know I don't look it. :-) He decided to attend this school and not the one that his junior high feeds into. He has already made lots of friends. His FAVORITE class is CHOIR. He is in the "all boys" choir. He really loves his teacher Mr. DeHaan. He is also taking seminary, pre-calculus, AP Psychology, Honors History, drivers ed and language arts.
Nathan has his learners permit drivers license and so far seems to be doing a good job driving. (At least with me.) I have learned to calm down a bit when he is driving the car. I cannot believe he will be 16 next month and will be dating and be blessing the Sacrament. He is such a good kid- although still has his "teenage moments." :-)
LOGAN
Logan started 4th grade at Westland Elementary and was so excited this year to have a male teacher. He has a lot of friends in his class from last year. He is excited to be in the "upper grades" in elementary now- although that means a bit more homework and more required reading time. Logan does NOT like to read. I keep checking out different books at the library to find something that interests him- but so far no luck. Hopefully he will learn to enjoy it and not think of it as a chore.
On the 5th morning of school, Logan was bragging to Claire about how Mr. Sagers lets them do ANYTHING in their class. They don't have to follow all the school rules. (We were talking about dress code at the time because Claire insisted on wearing a tank top to school.) Logan said kids wear them in his class and don't get in trouble. That afternoon when I picked the kids up from school, we were waiting for Logan for 15 minutes. He came out, got in car and slammed door shut and said it was the worse day ever. Mr. Sagers made him and some friends MISS their recess, AND they had to stay AFTER SCHOOL for 15 minutes for talking in class. I laughed and said "I thought you could do anything in your class Logan!" He said everyone just kept talking to him and MAKING him talk. I just chuckled....
CLAIRE
Claire started 2nd grade also at Westland Elementary. She is still one of the tallest in her grade. She likes her teacher, Mrs. Glazier. She kind of had a rough first week because she doesn't like one of the kids that she sits by in her group. He isn't quite "socially" as mature as she is and acts out some in class and has even cried a few times. She was suddenly getting stomach aches and complaining that she hates school. I turned it into a teaching moment and told her that all through life we will be around people that irritate us or that we just don't care for that much, but we have to learn to tolerate them and get along with them. I told her she should just try and take the opportunity to help this other student out if he seems to be getting frustrated or doesn't understand something. I told her she needs to make an effort and change her attitude towards him. She has come home on several occasions and told me of different things she did to help him out. I am so glad she is happier now.
Claire is still very social and has lots of friends. She thinks she is older than just 7 at times. After spending the day shopping with two of her cousins who are 12, she came home and told me that she needs a BRA. She was digging through my drawer to find one that would fit her. (She probably could have found one!) I told her she wasn't quite ready for that yet...Hope I survive this one!
I have enjoyed my days home with SAMUEL. He definitely keeps me busy- but is my little buddy. He LOVES his blankie and bottle and his favorite time of day is naptime when he gets to cuddle with me. He gets so excited when I am fixing his bottle. He runs to go get his blanket. He is so damn cute.....and spoiled. Of course he is still sleeping in my bed. Oh well- he's the last one so I will just try and enjoy it. :-)