DNA

When Cordel was younger and we started realizing how smart he is, everybody said, "Well, it's because you work with him so much. You have taught him so well!" And I suppose that's true to a point. But I refuse to take 100% of the credit. And this whole time I have been thinking how lucky I am to have a kid who the smarts just come easy to. And then Sydnie came along. And she is different in every way. Boy vs Girl. Brown hair and brown eyes vs blonde hair and blue eyes. Extremely shy vs totally out going. I never thought it possible to have 2 kids who are complete opposites. Except in one thing. Brain power. Hers is a little harder to see and to recognize. Mostly because she doesn't really speak to anyone but me, her daddy, and Grandma Kleis. But it is there. And in those quiet moments when she speaks to me about this or that, I am stunned at how her little brain is processing the world around her. She recently finished her Summer Bridge Book, a workbook designed to help kids hold onto the knowledge they gain during the school year through the summer. I bought her the Pre-K one, even though she still has another year before Kindergarten. And she finished it easily and with a confidence I rarely see in her. It was such a moment to celebrate for us. And again, I cannot take 100% of the credit. It's in their DNA.

First Grade- a day filled with many FIRSTS!

 His FIRST uniform on the FIRST day of school and lookin so sharp and handsome!

His FIRST friend at The Academy-- McKinely

His FIRST time climbing on "the web" on the playground!

The FIRST time the class lined up to go into the school.

 

 Sitting at his very FIRST desk! In Kindergarten they had tables!

The FIRST grade teacher for his FIRST year at The Academy-- Mrs. Woods

Have a FANTASTIC year, Buddy!!

Old enough?

 When they were little and they would ask me if they could cut their own sandwich or walk across the street, or scrub the bathtub, I usually told them "When you are older."  This was my response to them in an effort to keep them safe. I didn't want them to cut themselves, get hit by a car, or get cleaner in their eyes or eat it, as little ones tend to do. Over time, I guess it became an automatic response for things like that. But the other day, HELLO LIGHTBULB. These kids ain't tiny anymore! And, believe it or not, they WANTED to scrub the tub.  I could get use to this.

Colorful Kids

Our Tie Dye shirts turned out SO fabulous! I was so please with them. These turned out better than the ones we've made at the Art Dept at ISU. No joke! And aren't the kids just as gorgeous as a rainbow? 

(picture is missing 2 kids- Caden, whom we no longer have, and Aliza, who was sick, poor babe!)

2 cool dudes

Finally tall enough to reach the pegs on the back of my Dad's Harley!! I know it will give me nightmares if Cordel owns a motorcycle before he's, I don't know, 40? But, like they say, if it's in your blood, there ain't no denying it!