First Day of School

Today is the first day of school. Garhett is in 5th grade and the top dog at school, he is so excited! He was ready after the 6 week summer break to get back to school. Garhett has great teacher, Mrs. Morse, she teaches the kids responsibility with money, actions, and choices. It's going to be a great year for Garhett.

Garhett in Mrs. Morse's Class

Waiting for the bus

Trent was a little excited but more apprehensive of what the year is going to bring. Trent is not our social kid, he would rather just do his own thing.  The funny thing with that is everyone wants to be Trent’s friend. Everyone wants Trent around and to play with him. I find it interesting that Trent will agree to play and then 10 – 15 minutes into it, the kids are all playing together and Trent has migrated somewhere off to play on his own. Then some time later, the kids are back playing with Trent. It is quite comical.

Trent has Mrs. McClanahan this year, she is a seasoned teacher.  Trent is going to be a great 2nd grader! He is looking forward to teaching his little sister the rules of school.

Trent in Mrs. Clanahan's Class

Now for the Girl! 

Paige is starting kindergarten this year. She has been counting the days since preschool ended in May. Now that night before school starts, Paige asks the questions, "Mom, how many days until school?"  I said, "Paige school starts tomorrow". She answered hesitantly, "Oh". During the night, Paige kept coming into my room, "Mom, I don't feel good, my tummy hurts. Mom, I had a headache". Paige's nerves finally caught up to her months of excitement. I finally got her to settle down around 3am. 

As the morning arrived, everyone was excited to start school. The tradition is everyone takes the bus to school and mom drives and meets everyone at school. So I can take supplies and take pictures of them arriving at school and checking into their classrooms. The boys are pros. Since it's Paige's first time with school and the bus, here are a few more pictures of Paige.

A side note on Paige. Paige is so over mom's opinion on clothes and what to where. So here is Paige's first day of school outfit - put together by Paige herself.

First Day of School Outfit

Before heading to the bus and to school, Paige lost her 4 tooth. So Paige is starting kindergarten missing her front teeth and bottom teeth. Poor Trent, but that's another post.

Look another tooth gone on the first day of school!

Paige arriving at school

Paige and the bus driver Fred

Paige and Aubrey

Paige and her BFF Aubrey

Paige in Mrs. Longpre's Class

Everyone had a great first day of school. To wind up the kids' first school day, I greeted them with warm chocolate chip walnut cookies. We sat around the table, ate cookies, and talked about their first day of school. What a great day!!!!

Wrapping it up….

This has been a busy week with school ending and getting ready for the holiday festivities.

We started the week off with Emmett’s 2 week after surgery check up. His 5 cuts and feeding tube are all healing very well. Emmett’s weight is another story. He lost 2 pounds since his surgery date (for you and I would be just fine and welcomed), but for Emmett who is barely on the weight chart as it is, the doctor was very concerned. She gave us a week for Emmett to gain some or all of the weight back or she wants us to start feeding Emmett through his tube, which is currently only used to burp or throw up. On that same note, he can only eat liquid and soft foods. The doctor said no eating regular table foods for 8 weeks. The poor kid just got used to eating table foods and now they are all taken away from him. I have broken the doctor rules though. I have slowly started adding foods into his diet, like pancakes, French toast, etc. (just in very tiny smaller than bite size pieces. Other than the eating issues, Emmett has bounced back from surgery rather well. He is back to running around, back to sliding on his tummy (I know OUCH) down the stairs. All in all we are on our way to a full recovery!

Next on our weeks’ agenda was the Preschool Christmas Program for Paige. Last year Paige made her own debut by wearing fuchsia pink pants and shirt to her program. This year since we are almost 5 we are feeling a little more mature and in the Christmas season, so she decided to wear her red Christmas dress with her black click clocks. I must say she looked grown up, not like a 4 year old in preschool. Paige did awesome with singing all the songs and doing the signs with each song. Great job Paige!!!

The very next day we are at the school at 8am for Trent’s award assembly. Trent won the citizenship award for outstanding citizenship in the first grade. This award includes things like helping others in class, picking up, being a good person. Now I am not disputing this fact (well maybe a little), Trent is the most obstinate kid at home. Oh he helps out, but it isn’t until we have had a screaming match and a tantrum. It is nice to hear that he doesn’t do that for his school or Primary teachers, only his parents! Great job Trent, so proud of you!!!!

Here is Trent with his certificate and with the principal Mr. Johnstone.

On Friday, we had the ward Christmas party. It was good. I don’t think a very good turn out, but whatever. We didn’t stay to see Santa cause all the kids were running around and it was so chaotic. So we took our family and went to the mall to see Santa. No lines. The kids were able to get right in to see Santa, sit on his lap, tell him the thing that they want (but won’t be getting because they just added it to the list), and take their picture. We ended the fun filled evening with ice cream cones. Yea!!!

To wrap up our week, Paige performed as a gingerbread in her dance studios performance of the Nutcracker.

I couldn't get the video of her performance to load. Here is Paige in her costume.

What an exhausting week we have had. School is now out for 2 weeks for Paige and the boys. So hopefully we can stay home and relax a little bit.

Garhett's Solo

Today was a significant day for Garhett. Garhett had his first solo in his grade school concerts. Today was the 4th/5th grade concerts. Garhett tried out on his own and had a call back. He was so excited to have a solo. The sad thing is Scott and I weren't able to be at Garhett's solo today. As luck would have it, our trip to Utah to meet with the surgeon was today as well as Garhett's solo. So Grandma and Grandpa to the rescue again. Grandpa recorded Garhett's whole program for us. Thanks Grandpa.

Introducing Garhett Morgan in his first solo!!! Great job Garhett!

Idaho Native Americans

was the theme for Garhett's 4th grade project. For this project, Garhett had to choose a group of Idaho Native Americans to report on, draw or copy a map, create a diorama of an Indian Village, make a model of an Indian Home, and paint pictographs on rocks.

Garhett chose the Shoshone Indians. He started early on researching, figuring out what was going to be in his diorama, and putting the report together. Garhett did an awesome job. Here is the final product. Garhett earned an A. Good job Garhett!!!!

Entertainment for Paige

Well September has finally arrived for Paige!!! She has been patiently waiting to start preschool and dance. So this week we started it all.

Paige's first day of Preschool.

































Paige's first day of dance. A little ballet and tap.





























So now Emmett and I get to enjoy some alone time together and do one-on-one therapy without the distraction of Paige.

First day of school

Six weeks have come and gone. We have enjoyed our summer break and are excited to get back to the routine of school!!!

Garhett is in 4th grade this year. His teacher is Mr. Mosley.

Trent is in 1st grade this year. His teacher is Miss Phelps. Trent is at school all day, yippee!!!

School's out - Let Summer begin!!

School ended today June 26th and will resume again August 12th, but until then let summer begin!!!!

We started the morning out in Garhett's class for his award ceremony and a little kick ball. Garhett's teacher had a clever presentation for each student to show her appreciation. Mrs. Hallowell stood at the front of the class holding a certificate and would describe a boy or girl student, the class would try and guess and then she would present that student with the certificate and a candy bar describing their quality. For example: Teacher: "This boy likes music. He likes music so much that he is always drumming on his desk, playing air guitar and asking me "what song is this" as he hums a few bars. Class: "It's Joey". Teacher: "Yes, it's Joey and I would like to give him a symphony candy bar". Clever huh?

Mrs. Hallowell described Garhett as a hardworking and creative student. She rewarded him with a payday candy bar.

Garhett with Mrs. Hallowell








Garhett with his friend Josh








Garhett with his friends Jonah, Tim, Nathanel, and Josh





After Garhett's class fun, we went to Trent's kindergarten ceremony. I wish I could say graduation, but it wasn't. This was Trent's teacher's first year of teaching and I don't think she understood the importance of a graduation to kindergartners and especially their parents. Her ceremony consisted of passing out a cellophane bag with a certificate in it and having each kindergartner say before receiving their bag, "I'm a First Grader". That didn't go over very well.
L-A-M-E!!!!!

Trent with Mrs. Anderson










Trent receiving his certificate









Between Garhett's class ending and waiting for Trent's class to begin, the kids had some time to play on the playground. Paige was so excited to be at the big kids' school. Trent was excited to finally be able to cross the "yellow line". Emmett was just happy to be out of the stroller.

































LET SUMMER BEGIN!!!!

We finished our end of school celebration with lunch at McDonald's and a swim in the pool!

Third Grade Invention Creation

After a long day at the zoo with Trent's kindergarten class. Garhett informed me at the dinner table that his 3rd Grade Science project is due tomorrow. WHAT????!!!!! The project that he and Scott were supposed to create together. Now Scott was out of town and the project creation was left for Garhett and I. I know what you are thinking, cause I was thinking the same thing. Poor Garhett. (that's what you were thinking right?).

Garhett had the task of creating an invention:

• That would be stable enough to sit on top of his school desk.
• The invention must contain two or more simple machines.
• The invention must have a function.
• Be creative!!

Are you kidding me right now??? All I can say is I am so glad that we live in the age of technology. The internet baby! I did many searches on 3rd grade science projects. Garhett chose the project and we went to work. Well not exactly, we went to Walmart. Oh and then half way through, we went to Michaels Craft store.
Here is the final product. It was an assignment not a contest, so everyone is a winner!!! Garhett came home from school beaming that everyone loved his project!!! That's really all that matters, the beaming smile that comes from your child. I love you Garhett.



A special thanks goes to Deidra for coming to my rescue. Deidra played with Emmett, Paige and Trent while Garhett and I busily created his invention. What would I do without my friends? Thanks FRIEND!!!!!

Kindergarten Field trip to the zoo

Today was Trent's kindergarten field trip to the zoo. He's been looking forward to it for a couple of weeks. He wasn't too sure at first if he wanted his mom to go along and chaperon. Some of his comments he made was, "Well, you can't ride the bus. My teacher said it is just for the kids." I answered back with, "She told me that I could ride the bus so I could be with our group." Trent, "Oh!" Then he piped up with, "Well you can't bring your purse. Mrs. Anderson will not let you bring a purse on the bus. What are you going to do? I guess you better not ride the bus."

Funny things from Trent, but today was the day. He was excited to go to the zoo and was actually excited for me to go with him on the bus. When the kids would ask if I was his mother, he would smile and say "yes!".

Now for my "can't get a grip" life lately. Trent and I were supposed to be at school by 12:55 to get on the bus for the zoo. My babysitter for Paige and Emmett was late, which through me off. I then realize I forgot the camera. Oh well, I don't have time to turn around as it was it 12:58pm. Yes, I know we were late. I called the school to see if they had loaded the bus and to see if I should drive and meet them at the zoo. Fortunately they hadn't loaded or left, so we hurried.

Phew!!! We made it. Our group was the Tiger's. I think we had the smallest group of all. That's okay. Here is Trent and I on the bus. Since I forgot my camera, I had to rely on the cell phone.








When we arrived at the zoo, the teacher told us that we basically had an hour to look around the zoo. That should be doable. She told us to meet back at the bus at 2:30pm. So we were off. We were cruising through the zoo at a pretty good pace. I didn't even let the kids stop for snack time, they ate on the fly. They didn't care. As we were finishing up the last part of the zoo, I hear over the loud speaker, "Cindi Morgan of Spalding, please come to the zoo entrance". That is when I took out my phone and saw the time. Yep, we were late. Once again. The time was 2:55pm. OOPS!! We were supposed to be back at the school at 3pm and weren't leaving the zoo until 3pm. The Tiger group had a great day at the zoo.


















Sometimes I think I have it all together and then I have a day like this and I get so kindly reminded, that I don't! LOL!!!

Preschool Fieldtrip

Well it's that time of year again - school field trips. We started with Paige's preschool trip to the zoo. The weather ended up cooperating and it was a decent day (semi sunshine). We arrived at the zoo at 12:45pm and you would have thought the zoo just opened. Our preschool and 2 other families were the only ones in the zoo. It was awesome!!!!

Here is Paige's preschool class:

Emmett enjoyed touching the wood railings and looking at the monkeys.

We enjoyed looking at the different exhibits.