Memorable MondayPreschool Teachers

Today we met Emily's preschool teacher during her open house. This is Emily's first year in preschool and she is so excited to go. She enjoyed the open house and is ready to start school in a couple of days.

Meeting Emily's preschool teachers reminded me of the other preschool teachers that my other 3 kids have had in the past. Each of my kids have had a different preschool teacher. I've enjoyed each preschool teacher and their different teaching styles.

Ward Campout

We had a blast at the ward campout. It was so fun to get out of the heat for a day and enjoy the cooler weather. When we arrived, it was getting dark, so we put up our tent and sat by the campfire and talked all night, at least till one in the morning. In the morning, we woke to a yummy breakfast and a great day to play. One ward member made a zip line for everyone to play on. It was a hit with the kids and adults alike. Angela wasn't sure if she liked it at first, but she kept on trying it out. Emily would have nothing to do with it and found other things to do.

Another member brought along his golf cart and gave rides to those who wanted one.The kids explored the campground and found a small fort to play in.

Emily was constantly at the fort playing.

Emily and participated in a water balloon toss. She is so totally cute. There was a butterfly that landed on people's fingers.

It was white when it landed and purple when it flew. So Cool!

Dani brought her cousin Kaylynn with her. She were always at each other's side and enjoyed spending time with each other. It was so fun to have her with us. Aren't they so cute?

Josh played chess and a game played with bowling balls.

It was a great campout and we enjoyed it a great deal. When we came home, it was our turn to feed the missionaries - Pizza of course.

He's Offically a Teenager

Josh had his 13th birthday on Monday and officially became a teenager. We celebrated his birthday for about a week. He took a couple of friends to a pizza place and had a great time. Josh got a fishing pole for his birthday and is excited to go fishing. He went with his uncles and cousins a couple of years ago and caught a couple of fish. Ever since then, he has always wanted to go fishing.

It's so fun to remember the times when Josh was younger as well celebrate his birthday.

Memorable MondayWater Skiing

Josh went water skiing on his latest boy scout campout. They didn't find the water skis, so they pulled a tube behind the boat and had a blast. Josh had a great time and had great stories to tell.

I remember when I was Josh's age and went water skiing for the first time with the youth in my ward. We went to East Canyon State Park and camped over a couple of nights. We would water ski and play in the water during the day. Our Bishop had a boat and we borrowed another one boat to pull around the water toys. We even had a big hot dog tube that we pulled around behind the boat. I remember that I was so scared to try to water ski , but finally after a lot of peer pressure, I tried. I didn't do very well, but was proud of myself that I tried. Every year our ward went to the same location and I tried to water ski. Every time I tried, I got closer and closer to getting up on the ski's. Finally, one time I got up, but the shock of getting up and not knowing what to do next was too much for me so I fell back into the water. It was a lot of fun trying and I'm glad that I had that experience.

When I moved to AZ, I often went with the Young Adults to Canyon Lake. I learned how to knee board and did very well. I really liked that sport compared to water skiing. On one occasion, I went to the lake with the young adults in our ward to go water skiing. I had just recovered from a broken arm and told by my doctor to take it easy for several more weeks. I told myself that I would be careful and just go for a boat ride. Right! I ended up on a boat with some boys who didn't like it when the girls just went on a boat ride. That's almost a dare so I took my turn knee boarding and had a great time. That was very careless of me and shouldn't have given in to the peer pressure, but there were boys on the boat. What's a girl to do?

Memorable Monday Riding on the Bus

My sister has asked me to watch her daughter in the afternoon. Kenzie will be taking the bus home to my house after morning kindergarten.

I'm reminded of the time that I was in kindergarten and rode the bus home for the very first. I was very nervous to ride the bus and way to shy to ask for help. My mom took me to school in the morning and explained that I was to ride the bus home from school. I got on the bus at school but wasn't sure where to get off or what to do next, so I just sat on the bus. I missed my bus stop and several stops after that. Actually, I didn't get off the bus. I stayed on the bus until the bus driver finished his route and noticed that I didn't get off. Luckily for me, we lived in a small town and he knew where I was to get off. I was probably too shy to talk to him and tell him my address and where I should have gotten off. My mom was very anxious when I didn't get off at the bus stop. She had to pile 4 younger children in the car to school to see if I missed the bus, my youngest brother was a preemie at the time. There was no sign of me at the school since I was still on the bus. She went home and waited for me. Soon I got off the bus and came home. My mom said that I acted if nothing ever happened. Of course, I didn't know the full story til later and all the commotion I caused.

I have another bus story that took place when I was a mother. It's not as dramatic as a story as when I was younger, but for me a much more anxious time. My daughter started pre-school when she was two months shy of 3 yrs. old. She attended preschool at Keller Elementary, which has horrible parking, and was provided transportation. She was scared to ride the bus the first day, so I drove her and had her come home on the bus. Since she is young and in special-ed, the bus drops her off at my house. The next day and a few months after that, she would cry when I put her on the bus. Several times, I wanted to call the transportation office and cancel the bus. Angela and I stuck it out until the day she ran to the bus ready to go to school.

First Day of School

Backpack

On my back a pack I carry

In it, all my treasures.

It's what I need

So I can be

One class higher!

Crayons, ruler, scissors too,

And yes a little Elmer's glue

Paper, pencils, in my bag…

Wonder what made mom so sad?

Trapper keeper, nice and neat

Will it really stay this clean?

On my back a pack I carry

In it, all my treasures!

Today I'll be

Just watch and see

One class higher!

Shelley Plum

First Day of School Pictures My girls are going to the same school this year. It's been a several years since they've attended the same school.

They are all ready for school.
This year, I was able to go with Angela to school. When she went to Roosevelt, I put her on the bus on the first day of school. I was so thrilled to take her to school myself and snap photos.

I took this picture a week ago just before 7th grade kickoff. Josh received his schedule a week ago. We walked around the school to become familiar with his class schedule. During his homeroom period, they changed his schedule a bit. He is ready to adapt to the changes and make the most out of Junior High.

Memorable MondayReturn to Porter

We had "Meet the Teacher" today at the local elementary school. We met Dani's teacher first. We knew Dani's teacher from last year and enjoyed chatting with her. Dani had a group of friends there and they chatted up a storm. We left Dani in her classroom while we met Angela's teacher. Angela is returning to Porter this year and will in the special ed program at the school. Each school in the district has a special ed program and the program Angela needs is at our local school. I couldn't be happier that Dani and Angela get to go to school together, at least for one year.When I was walking to Angela's classroom, I remember the last time I was at Porter talking to Angela's teacher. While Angela was in kindergarten, she received a major evaluation from the school psychologist. She receives one every three years to see if she qualifies for the special ed program. After the evaluation, I met with the psychologist and her teacher and they informed me of the results. After hearing the results, they strongly suggested that she enter a special ed program with a qualified special ed teacher and a speech pathologist. I really wanted Angela to finish her kindergarten year at Porter, but to get in the program I had to jump fast and enroll her. I remembered Angela's last day at Porter. I picked her up from school in tears and cried the rest of the day. Since I had two other kids ahead of Angela, I knew what Angela would miss out on at Porter. I had a hard time that day and it broke my heart to pull her out of Porter. On Monday, I took Angela to her new school with a smile on my face and ready to embrace what the program had to offer her. I'm so glad that I took the time to cry that day. Ever since that day, I've never look back at what Angela missed out only what she has gained. The Special Ed program that Angela is in has been the perfect match for her. She has had amazing teachers that have helped her along the way.

1st Kindergarten teacher

2nd kindergarten teacher

I so glad that Angela is returning to Porter and is still in the Special Ed program.

Fashion Show

We had our annual "Back to School Fashion Show this year". I The fashion show is a a tradition and the kids really put on a cute show. Their personalities come through while they walk down the runaway and show off their new school clothes. We had a special guest this year - my mom's Aunt Anna. She has lived in AZ for many of years and we've gotten to know her better since my family moved down here years ago. We celebrated her birthday after the fashion show which made the day more special.

Angela's haircut

Angela woke me up at 7:45 this morning to show me her newest haircut. She had cut her hair and placed in a Ziploc bag. She was so proud of herself and woke me up to surprise me. Well, I was very surprised to see her new do. She really cut her hair and just in time for school. It starts next week. Angela told me that she wanted to be beautiful. That statement just broke my hear. I took Angela to the salon to cut the rest of her hair to match what she did. It was Angela's first trip there and she sat on the chair patiently while they cut her hair. Angela hates to have her hair cut when my sister cuts it, so I was pleasantly surprised when she allowed them to cut her hair. She was talking to the stylist and asking her tons of questions. Angela's new hair cut is super cute. Next time, I'll have her hair cut before she gets the chance.

Before

After

Memorable MondayCamping with Grandparents

After this past camp out with the Paces, I was reminiscing about the times I went camping with my Grandparents. I love to go camping, especially with Grandparents.

I remember a camping trip with my Grandpa Wall. We drove by his house on the way to the campisite. We stopped by to visit with him before heading to the campsite. Later that evening, my Grandpa came to visit us at the campsite. He brought all the supplies to make homemade root beer. It was so fun to have a visitor while we were camping. I will always remember that camping trip.

I remember we went camping with Grandma and Grandpa Shaw at the Willard State Park, which is located right off of the Great Salt Lake. I remember camping with our cousins and playing on and near the lake. The State park is a fresh water reservoir just off the Great Salt Lake. We had a great time and I loved the view of the Great Salt Lake in the distance.

There were many other camping trips with Grandma and Grandpa Shaw. I don't remember them, but there are some pictures that are great to see. Here I am next to my Grandma Shaw. I don't remember this camping trip, but I love to look at the picture and remember her. I want my kids to see pictures even if they don't remember the event.

Several years ago, my parents came camping with my kids for the first time. The location was in the same place that we went with the Paces. It was so fun to see my Mom and Dad interact with their grandchildren. It was an awesome trip and the kids had such a great time. Since then we have been camping twice with my whole family and it has become such a great tradition. I love camping with my family.