Many Firsts

And just like that, the summer is over and it's the first day school.

Once again, the school board has said one thing all summer and last minute changed it. We were supposed to return to school this Fall without masks and a week before school, they decided to make them mandatory again. They say it's so we can stay in person, but we all know at this point masks are not effective and the kids hate wearing them. I discussed this with the kids and we will not be wearing masks to school.

This is just another reason the school board has to go. With 4 of the 7 positions up for election in November, there is a huge campaign to turn the liberal board conservative. This is the first time I had gotten personally involved in local politics. This race made national news.

Unfortunately, the preschool teacher the other kids have gone to down the street retired during covid so since Aislin is the last, I decided to do preschool at home with her this year. I've always worked with the kids learning but organized preschool will be a first for me.

This year Raegan was placed in a class with two teachers, alternating days. Thankfully, they are both great teachers but we'll see how this structure goes. Raegan is pretty flexible, so I think it will be a great year. She's in class again with her group of Gifted Talented friends that challenge her and they all will begin flexing up to 3rd grade for math this year.

Gavin was really excited to get Ms. Russel this year. He flexed to her in 2nd for 3rd grade math and loved her! She totally gets him and appreciates his sense of humor. Going back to in person school full time will be most beneficial to Gavin. He desperately needs the social interaction and instruction from someone other than me.

Ayden is glad to be finally experiencing full time middle school! She got placed into Blazer pod this year with all her friends. She is continuing violin in orchestra and got invited to be in yearbook. She also got accepted into the Jr. National Honors Society based on her excellent grades last year.

First day of school with Evie and Cambrie. She happens to be friends with the 2 tallest girls in the 2nd grade!

Finally the temples have reopened since covid started and the YW were able to go and do baptisms. This was Ayden's first time to the temple.

With the kids getting older, it was time for Gavin to have his own bedroom and bathroom and for Aislin to move into a real bed. This is the first time we have taken down the crib in 12 years!

Gavin's first night in his new room all to himself! 

I told him there would be perks for being the only boy.

Aislin moved into the room with Raegan and it got a pink and flamingo flower makeover for the girls.

Buggy was excited to share a room with her big sister and sleep in her big bed for the first time.

Gavin got his first round of braces on.

They are scheduled to come off around his birthday.

Because Buggy isn't in preschool, I put her in her first dance class with a friend during the day to get some social interaction and instruction. She was ecstatic!

Aislin's first day. I think she's a natural.

Due to covid shutting things down and making group activities impossible or awkward at the least, this year we finally had Raegan's first birthday party with friends.

We made shaved ice and cotton candy and played in the neighborhood pool.