SCHOOL 2020!

On Labor Day, we woke up early, grabbed some donuts and went fishing! 

 

I've set a goal to walk 2 miles each day, so I walked while everyone fished. It was a beautiful morning!

Eleanor took a fishing break and came with me to the playground. 

Labor Day was the last day our pool was opened, so we swam one. more. time. We had the best summer swimming so much!!

I feel like Aaron and I aren't in many pictures together these days. We were both swimming too! :)

We grabbed Chick-fil-a for our back to school dinner. 

Tuesday morning at 6:15 a.m., the alarms went off and everyone was up and ready for school!! There was a lot of excitement in our house. Actually, Eli woke up at 4:45 a.m. dressed and ready for school. I had him lay down for a little longer. He was so excited! We did get to meet Eli's teacher over zoom before the year started and she seems nice and excited for her first year of teaching. I can't believe Austin is finally in kindergarten!! He's been sooo excited for months now. 

And the best part of it all is that they love it. They're thriving! Because we're still in the middle of the pandemic, we realize everything can change suddenly and school may be moved to virtual, but for now, we're grateful each day they can go to school and learn so much. No on even cried, but me!!

The boys are required to wear masks and although I worried for a bit if they'd do okay with them, they've done great. I love that they're learning that they can do hard things. 

So many pictures before school because I want to remember these memories forever! I love these kids so much. Aaron and I are grateful for the eagerness to learn and their boldness to stand up for truth. 

They jumped on the school bus and waved goodbye and blew us kisses! I really was sad to see them leave. I feel like the 6 months of being together every day passed so quickly. I thought about them each all day and couldn't wait for them to return home and tell me all about their day!! 

When I asked Eleanor what she wanted to do since it was just her and me for the day, she said, "Let's go to the Target." We didn't make it to Target that day, but we did go to Wal-mart where we found this folder on the clearance rack. She asked if she could get it for her school supplies. She misses her brothers so much. I love how excited she gets when I tell her it's time to go to the bus stop to pick up the boys. 

On the second day of school, Austin returned home with this craft he did - David! I love seeing the work the boys did during the school day. As I was washing the dishes one evening, Austin came up and stood beside me and said, "Mom, I was nervous to leave for kindergarten, but now I love it." It was so cute! I told him it's normal to feel nervous about something new, and I was proud of him for being so brave!!

On Wednesday evening, the YW met at the church to go on a bike ride. We've lived here for over a year now and I still can't get over how blessed we are to be so close to the temple. It's still closed and we miss it so much. 

On Thursday, the Chiefs were playing and it was an exciting day in Kansas City with everyone wearing red for the game. They won!! 

Austin's teacher sent me this picture and I love how you can see Austin's eyes so happy even with a mask on. 

On Thursday Eleanor had a dentist appointment and she was so brave! We then went to lunch together, just the two of us and did some shopping. I'm excited to watch Eleanor become a big sister! Every morning when I ask her what she dreamed out, she'll reply, "My baby sister!"

I found this Chiefs sweater on the clearance rack! 

I had this activity prepared for the kids when the boys got home from school and they played with this foam as they told me about their day. 

Saturday: We did our chores and then the kids created these rockets that blast off of a straw. 

We met up with Grandma and Grandpa Volk at a park where we had dinner and celebrated Grandma Volk's birthday! While we were there, Austin found this 4 leaf clover! Aaron was sooo jealous and said he's been looking his whole life for a 4 leaf clover! 

On Sunday we had church together at home and Aaron does a great job preparing lessons. He taught about how the Nephites had to gather together for physical safety and how we can gather together with righteous family members and friends to give us spiritual strength. He had the kids each break a stick, which they easily did and then he had them try and break a group of sticks, which no one was able to do. He then testified of the strength that comes as we gather together in families and at church. Speaking of church, we received an e-mail this week from church headquarters with an update saying that congregations may begin meeting together weekly if possible. Aaron said the stake is working on a schedule that will allow us to all attend church weekly starting next month! Yay! During our family sacrament meeting, Aaron asked me to say the closing prayer and I chocked up as I gave thanks for the incredible memories we've had together as we've worshipped together in our home each Sunday. How grateful I am for a living prophet that a year ago asked us to have a more home centered, church supported approach to gospel learning. 

And I'm especially grateful for the righteous priesthood holder Aaron is.