Go Team Grass!

As I sit outside on my front porch, enjoying my Saturday with my kids, I feel compelled to document the gratitude, joy, and relief that I feel.

As a learner, as an educator, and as a daughter of an amazing teacher, I know what an incredible impact a teacher can have on a student.  I know that good teachers DO make a difference.  I know that the right learning environment can be transformative for a learner.  I know the qualities that distinguish a good school year from a great school year.

Sophie's 1st grade teacher and the entire team of 1st grade educators have completely blown us away.  Sophie has gained new confidence, joy, enthusiasm, independence, insight, and community.  She belongs.  She is seen and heard and noticed in class.  Her strengths are validated and welcomed in the classroom.  And her weaknesses and needs are met with support, with kindness, and with empathy.  This girl comes home from school with a major bounce to her step; she tells stories for hours and hours about the day.  There is a love for learning, for education, and for all of the integral and dynamic pieces of school. Sophie now exudes a love and joy that she didn't even know she was missing last year.

3:30 PM: my new favorite time of day when we are all reunited, snacks are eaten, stories are shared

The perfect anecdote of her growth is Team Grass.  On her first "real" soccer team this year, Sophie boldly and confidently suggested the team's name should be "grass".... other suggestions by friends had dealt with superheroes, unicorns, or fast animals.  But Sophie, who has always had her own imaginative and original ideas contributed her idea.  And the team voted.  Team Grass won (much to the dismay of her coach and skepticism from the parent peanut gallery!). It's the perfect anecdote because she is speaking up.  She feels comfortable.  She has been validated in school, and she knows in her core that she has wonderful gifts to offer her friends, her teammates, and her community.

Half soccer player, half Native American

The development we have seen in her blows us away.  She deserved the right environment to thrive, to showcase her gifts, and to be supported in her growth.

Go Team Grass! {As a side note, the innuendos and jokes have been escalating among the parents about getting Team Grass sweatshirts; our competitors will think we are a group of stoner parents.}

Other highlights as of late: Cameron is doing great with preschool. He is playing soccer too and in case anybody had concerns, he is as funny and clever as ever.

Cousins walking Soph to school

Sophie and I joined some favorite mommas and daughters for a 24 hour trip to Salt Lake City to see the Dixie Chicks in concert! The weekend included hotel room service, a trip to Ikea, and an outdoor concert with 20,000 other people!

love her new smile :)

2016-2017 School Year: Grades 1 and Pre-K 2

And we're off!

I may have shed a tear or two in the week leading up to the start of school.  Transitions are tough for me, and I worried about everything this year. Letting go-- on any level-- is difficult for me, and in the days before school started, I quickly spiraled into feelings of sadness, anxiety, and concern over a whole host of rational and irrational thoughts!

But, during this first week of school, those tears have been followed up by tears of joy, gratitude, and relief.  Sophie's first grade teacher brings me to tears each afternoon as I see my daughter transforming in front of my very eyes.  So, now my tears are what we call in this family--happy tears.  

This year is going to be amazing for both kids! And even though I hate to admit it, Doug was right last week as he tried to console me.  Both kids will thrive this year in amazing learning environments.  Both kids will be challenged, nurtured, supported, and engaged.  Both kids will have so much fun, develop friendships, take risks, and feel proud and confident. 

And on their bad days, when things aren't so awesome and optimistic as they are right now, we will be ok then, too.

Annual Back to School party!

Plus, look how cute they are? How can we go wrong?!

(Sophie's First Day of 1st Grade)

(Cameron's First Day of Pre-K 2)

 

#summertuesdayhikes 2016

Our tradition continued this summer! This year's hikes had something last year's didn't: whining. Apparently, #summertuesdayhikes are something that only I love unconditionally!! So, on many occasions, our pre-hike warm-up routine included tears, tantrums, complaints, bribes, threats, negotiations, and yelling. Our post-hike cool-down routine usually included apologies, concessions, relief, smiles, compliments, and sugar.

Despite the emotional roller-coaster of parenting decisions that became associated with our #summertuesdayhikes, we created some great memories, stood in awe of beautiful landscapes, and appreciated one another's company. Many of our hikes included games like "I Spy" or imaginary storylines such as pretending to be Laura and Almonzo from "Little House on the Prairie." This year, we also spent time collecting wildflowers during our hikes, and both kids loved coming home and putting their flowers in a little vase by their bedside table. Also, on several occasions, we completed our hikes a few days early, on weekends, when we were camping or out of town, so that Doug could join us.

Sarcasm and annoyance aside, I love hiking with my healthy and active kids in such a beautiful part of the world.  And guess what, Whitfield kids? Mommy is mandating #summertuesdayhikes next year, too!!!

Hike #1: Exploring Whitman College Campus

Hike #2: Rainy Day Style

Hike #3: Currant Creek Trail

Hike #4: Polecat Loop

Hike #5: Outlet Bay (Priest Lake)

Hike #6: Hanna Flats (Priest Lake)

Hike #7: Watertower Hike

See my hikers??

Oh, Boise Foothills, we adore you!

Hike #8: The Lily Pond and waterfall at Redfish Lake

Hike #9: Hidden Springs Farm (trails right in our own backyard!)

Hike #10: (Actually a bike ride to the pool because it was our last Tuesday of summer and I couldn't fight it anymore!)