Skip to main content

Finally a firstgrader and other summer happenings

By
"I'm finally a first grader," you say as if you've been waiting for this time to come forever. You're not actually a first grader but you did graduate from kindergarten so I guess it depends on perspective. You've said this to anyone and everyone who strikes up a conversation with you over the past few weeks and you've said it to me more than once. I think you're finally feeling like a big girl and this is proof--you're finally a first grader.

I'm convinced the only reason kindergarten graduation is held is to give parents a chance to cry. Me and Dad were both there as you sang "Here comes the Sun" and walked across the stage to grab your "diploma." You were so excited. Each student drew self portraits which were printed on t-shirts for the ceremony. I think yours is the best in your class. Definitely the most personality! And your teacher, Mrs. Hunsaker, says you are the sweetest student she has ever had.

A few days after school got out we left for Mexico. We stayed in Las Conchas in two rented homes right on the beach--connected by a huge outdoor patio space complete with a fireplace. The trip was perfect!

The weather was in the 80's the entire time (a little cool for swimming but the water is always warm in Mexico) and everyone got along just fine. We spent our time laying on the beach, wading into the water, hunting crabs and building sand castles. The girls enjoyed playing "restaurant" at the bar in the front of one of the homes.












Even Jose had a great time! And he ate with us and didn't avoid us! It was a huge difference from last year!







Lots of Pena Coladas! We also had tacos, burritos and tamales!



The view from the porch straight down to the beach

Kaybree's plan for the day: Play ball, collect sea shells, play on the tablet... and I'm not sure what else.

Jose got his hair braided but it didn't last long. He realized it hurts to have your hair tightly braided and sleeping with it is too hard!



















Eisley looked like a turtle but she loved the banana boat!












Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

My biggest challenge

By
I’m a writer by trade. I’ve always wanted to be a writer. I love to put my feelings into words. Yet, in the last month, I’ve been having a very difficult time vocalizing what’s happening in my life. It’s not because it’s been sad or difficult or anything like that. It’s mostly because there is someone new in my life who I care very deeply for who I feel this deep need to protect. I want to protect his identity, his story, his life. I don’t want to overstep any boundaries or crush any trust. I recognize the life he has lived has not been easy and so I tread lightly on this relationship we’ve built. But honestly—it’s a fantastic relationship. He’s an amazing kid. I’ve been asked to write a blog post for an organization that helps recruit foster parents about the first few weeks of being a foster parent. I’m having difficulty deciding what to write. I feel like anything I write about my case probably won’t apply to their case so it’s not very helpful. I keep writing drafts and then...
Post a Comment
Read more

Summer time

By
This summer is flying by! I've been taking Kaybree to the same sitter every day since 10 weeks old when I went back to work, Shaunelle Eyestone. You are their 5th kid. But with four kids of her own home all summer and a new baby coming along Shaunelle asked to go to part time this summer. Luckily we have awesome family near by willing to help me out and watch you girls! Grandma Bonnie has been taking you two days a week and says it's the best part of her week. She loves it! She's a substitute teacher during the school year so she has the summer off. She's so sweet to watch you both for free. It's also giving you a chance to get to know John better as Bonnie asks him to help out each day. He's learning more about babies and you're opening up to him more. It's sweet to see. Fridays Aunt Brittany takes the two of you for free. Her kids basically just spoil you both all day. They argue over whose turn it is to hold Eisley and Kaybree basically becomes th...
Post a Comment
Read more

Jumping to conclusions

By
I think we, as a society, are always prepared to jump to the worst conclusions about kids like J. That includes me.  We recently found out he accepted cigarettes from a friend. Knowing just that, we assumed he smoked them. He swears he didn't smoke them but asked for them so he could give them to another friend--to get him to stop smoking weed. As dumb as that sounds, I believe him. Now. But at first, and I think reasonably so, I didn't. We jumped to the conclusion that he was smoking. We got upset that it felt like he was hiding it from us. He has no idea why we would jump to that conclusion. He doesn't understand that he put himself in that situation. He doesn't understand why we would think he is smoking. He got mad at us for assuming the worst. We did the same thing several days earlier when it was getting late and he wasn't home and also wasn't answering his phone. I thought back to everything we had disagreed about. I feared he had run away. I feared h...
Post a Comment
Read more