Merrick 2nd year of Preschool

Merrick headed off to his 2nd year of preschool today.  He was really excited and he is excited for his teacher Ms. Perla, who is also in our ward.  He has lots of friends that he knows there so it made his first days easy again.

He wanted to be done taking pictures

Settling in with friends

Pinewood Derby

As Elders Quorum President, Nate got this fun idea to have a Pinewood Derby for the men in his quorum.  He figured that the men are always helping their kids with their cars, they should get to make one for themselves.

 

  They set up the tracks just like normal and had such a fun time racing.  Some of the kids also brought a few old cars to race for fun when it was over.  

Best friends with their cars

There wasn't really too many people, but everyone who went had fun.  The little boys who came had fun doing their races too.

First Day of Kindergarten

The day is here.  Kayton started Kindergarten.  He so excited, there is just no other way to describe it.  We went to open house the night before so he could find his desk and meet his teacher.  He did his first homework and loved his classroom.

That night we got his stuff all set up and ready for him the next day. 

The next morning was all jitters and excitement.  It was the first day for him and for Nate! 

Kayton going to Kindergarten, Nate teaching in a regular classroom

Settled in and all ready to go

Nate's story:  So this summer, Nate was hoping to find a different job of any kind.  He just wanted to try something new and maybe earn a little more money.  So he looked and looked and applied so many different times, but nothing worked out.  Then when it was almost time for school to start, he interviewed for a high school music job in Kayenta, AZ.  We drove up there, look around and interviewed but in the end, Nate just didn't feel right about it.  So, the day after that interview, the principal at the Linden school called and asked him if he would teach a regular class, 5th grade.  He went and interviewed and felt good about it.  He got his certification updated and passed the Are you Smarter Than a 5th Grader test (that's what we called it). So we got his classroom all set up and he was all set to teach 5th grade.  Almost 2 weeks into the year, they reassessed the classes and realized that they needed two 2nd grade classes more than they needed two 5th grade classes, so they had him switch.  So long story short, Nate is trying out 2nd grade this year.  It's been pretty stressful and crazy.  I feel like I'm married to a first year teacher all over again, but he seems to like it so far.  I'm just grateful that he is able to provide for us. 

Nate at his desk



 

As for me, I decided that I needed to be working right now to help out financially, so I am working as a teacher aide at Show Low High school in the WMI classroom.  It is a class where kids come and do make up credits or if they have special circumstances, then they do their classes online.  It's very low stress and I'm really enjoying it. 

Saying prayers

These boys are just so cute.  They have gotten excited to say prayers at meals and at night before we go to bed.  They say some of the cutest things though that I just don't want to forget.  Things like 

"we ask Heavenly Father to bless you"  

"Thank you for Heavenly Father and Jesus"

They have had lots of cute things come out of their mouths, but these are two of the cutest ones that I love to hear.  

Stake Pioneer Day

Our stake always does a fun park day to celebrate Pioneer Day.  We like going.  There is food, games, and friends. 

Bean bag toss

Tug of war

Hula hoops