Vivi's First Day

Vivi started her first day of school yesterday. She has been begging me for at least a month to be able to go back to school. She has been dying to be with Miss Jen again. I guess her mom isn't nearly as fun. Which is probably true. I don't know anyone quite as fun as Miss Jen. So happy day, Vivi got to go back to school, and let me tell you, she's about died and gone to heaven about it. I don't know what she's going to do next year when she has to move on to Kindergarten and leave Miss Jen behind. It might get ugly. ;)

1st Day of School!

The boys started back to school this morning. While I miss them and wish we could all still just kick around and relax for a few more weeks, I have to admit, it has been kind of nice having such a quiet house today. It is amazing what taking two kids out of the equation for several hours does to the volume in our home.

Trenton is starting fifth grade this year. When did I become old enough to have a fifth grader? I think he has been a little nervous this last week about the new school year. He has hit that age where he has started to worry about what other people think of him. It makes me sad that he is starting to worry about that stuff. By the time he left for school this morning though, he seemed really excited. He was dressed, had his bed made, had eaten breakfast, and had most of his lunch made by the time I woke up at 7:00 this morning.
Colson was equally excited. He has been wanting to go back to school for the last two weeks now. He will be starting 3rd grade this year. Do you love the outfit he chose for his first day of school? Hawaiian print green and khaki shorts, and blindingly bright yellow shirt. I love Colson's choices of clothes sometimes. He is such a happy kid.

While it's hard to have the summer end, it is always fun and exciting for the kids to start a new school year and be able to watch them learn and grow not only from their books, but from their experiences as well.

Wahooooo!!!!

Hooray! School is out! I am so excited to have my kids home with me all day. We have already started partying it up. Since yesterday afternoon we have been to the pool, had two huge water balloon fights, made a ginormous double batch of chocolate chip cookies, blown hundreds (maybe even thousands) of bubbles, had a pizza party, and watched a movie. While I am thrilled to have my little darlings home, the kids are a bit sad to leave their teachers. We have been so blessed this year to have had such wonderful teachers for them. They really learned a lot, and I am grateful for the ways their teachers have pushed them to do their best this year.
This is Mr Kennedy. Trenton had Mr. K for a teacher when he was in 3rd grade and just loved him, so when we found out at the beginning of the year that Colson was going to have him as a teacher in 2nd grade, we were thrilled. After having a kid in his class for two years in a row, it will be sad to not have him as a teacher for one of our kids next year. He is truly an amazing teacher. My boys learned so much from him, and not just things like reading, writing, and math, but he taught them about altruism, and to have goals and dreams. He has been such a positive influence for my boys, and they have just loved having him as a teacher. Even though they won't get to have him as a teacher next year (we were hoping he would move back up to teach 3rd grade, no such luck) at least they'll still get to see him weekly for their piano lessons.

These are the teachers Trenton had this last year in 4th grade:

Mrs. Puckett
Ms. Schafer
and Mr. Vick.

Trenton had a really great year with them. I love when my kids get teachers with a sense of humor, and these three definitely have a sense of humor. Ms. Schafer was always telling me crazy things Trenton would do in class that would just have her rolling. Mrs. Puckett was forever getting my two boys mixed up with eachother on the playground. The boys had the same jackets this last year, so she was always mixing Colson up with Trenton. Mr Vick apparently had a loud voice. One day, towards the beginning of the year Trenton and I were talking after school about how his day had gone. He said, "It was great, but Mr Vick sure yells a lot." A little alarmed, I asked Trenton what he would yell about. Trenton said, "Well, when we're working on math problems up at the board, if we get the answer right, Mr Vick will yell 'NAILED IT!', 'BINGO!', or 'BOOYAH!' " I just burst out laughing. That kind of yelling I can handle.

I'm so grateful for the wonderful year my boys had, but am looking forward to being able to spend lots of time with them during the summer.

Whew! What A Weekend!!!

It was a whirlwind weekend for the Stock family, full of some fun, exciting, wonderful, and terrifying moments.

Friday

After school on Friday, we tried to take the kiddos to the pool. We made it there with all our gear, the kids jumped in the pool, and then the lifeguards saw lightning. Typical. So we headed back home, amongst many tears, wailing, and whining. We all had our suits on, so we figured we'd make the best of it and have a serious water balloon war. It was vicious, but oh so fun. The kids and I all teamed up against Trent. (Except Vivi who turned traitor on us halfway through and joined Trent's team. Such a daddy's girl.) We had so much fun, as evidenced by the hundreds of popped water balloons all over our lawn and patio.

Preston didn't want to be finished with the water balloon fight. You can see him by the side of the house turning the hose on again.

Evidence.

After dinner we did the "S" is for sacrament cookie and had a movie night. You gotta love Fridays.

Saturday

The big day! Colson was baptized. What a wonderful and special day.

Before we left for the baptism, we did his "M" is for missionary cookie.
And he got to open his new scriptures.
During the program, Aunt Sherril gave a wonderful talk on baptism. (Thanks Sherril!)
It is such an incredible experience to see your child be baptized. I am so grateful for this important decision that Colson made. I am so grateful to my husband for being a Priesthood holder so that he can perform these saving ordinances for our children. (Want to learn more? Go here.) Colson is such a cutey. When stepping out of the font, he told Trent, "I feel so great. I think this is the best day of my life!" He also told me earlier that he had the butterflies in his stomach because he was so excited. It truly was a special and amazing day.

After the baptism we went to mom and dad's for a baptism/birthday BBQ. Happy birthday Grandma!
We love when Grandma Chapman comes to visit. She's such a fun and spunky gal.
We of course couldn't get away without having another water balloon war.
My kids really hate water balloon fights. Can you tell;)

It ended up as one of the "best days of Colson's life", as he mentioned no less than thirty times.

Sunday

Today we went to the first sacrament meeting of the newly formed Southlands Ward. There, Colson got to go up on the stand and be introduced as a new member of the ward. He was all smiles. Trent and I were sustained in our new callings today too. (Trent - 2nd counselor in Young Mens, and Kiffon - 2nd counselor in Relief Society.)

It was one interesting day after church today. I was down in my sewing room getting a few things, just happened to look out the window, and guess what I saw? A TORNADO!!! Yes, it was scary! My kids are still traumatized by it. It is all they will talk about. I finally had to put the kabosh on any tornado conversations because they just keep freaking themselves out all over again every time they talk about it. I have never heard so many prayers said all in one day as I heard today. Despite the terrifying circumstances, it was heartening to see how great their faith was as I saw and listened to them turn to their Heavenly Father at this alarming time.

While I don't have any pictures of the actual tornado, here is some of the damage the hail storm that came along with it did to our yard. All my poor plants. I might just have to replant our vegetable garden all over again.
All of my flowers were starting to look so good, until all that nasty hail. I'm just grateful that the worst we got were some ruined plants. It is amazing to look out my window now and see such a calm sky complete with beautiful sunset and think that just hours ago a raging tornado came from that same sky.

Following the wild and crazy tornado, Vivi had her preschool graduation! You'd think she would be excited to be done with school for a little summer vacation, but in truth, she's devastated. "But mom, I need to go to school. What am I going to do without Miss Jen?" Boy, that girl loves Miss Jen, but who can blame her? Miss Jen is completely amazing.
They started the program out with their Joy School cheer. What a cute bunch of kids!
They sang several songs to the parents and grandparents. My personal favorite is the "Oh boy, I got Joy!" song. So stinkin' cute.
Following the songs, Miss Jen handed out diplomas and said something special about each child.
Our little Grad!
Miss Jen's Joy School class of 2009!
There was a little dance at the end, and Vivi got to dance with her daddy.
Thanks Miss Jen for helping Vivi to have such a fun year at Joy School!

Wow! I think this is the longest post ever! Don't worry, it's over now. Like I said, whirlwind weekend!

Crazy Hair Day!!!

Does it look more like she woke up with bed head?....

Or was electricuted?

Pajama Day

It is "spirit week" at Joy School this week. Vivi was so excited about it being pajama day today. What she is really excited for though is crazy hair day tomorrow. Just wait and see what we have planned.

I love the days Vivi goes to school. Not because of the time that I am away from her, but because of all the funny stories and sayings she comes home with. I can't tell you how many times a day she tells us, "Well, Miss Jen says...." Today, in the car on the way home, she was telling me that she was extra nice to Tyler today. I asked her if she was super nice to all of her friends at school. She said, "Yes. Except Taylor. He wasn't there today. He is going on a long car ride. I think he went to Jupiter. Or maybe it was Pluto. Wait! Actually it was Texas. That is a really long car ride." Texas is a VERY long car ride, but I think I'd take it over Jupiter or Pluto.