First Day of School

O.K. Even though it is already 11:45 p.m., I have to post something about the girls' 1st day of school. If I don't, I'll forget...and then it will be time to post something about the last day of school. So, here goes it...my harried attempt to quickly announce Brooklyn's and Makenna's first day of 4th Grade and 1st Grade, respectively.

In short, they like their teachers; they like their classes; they like their new principal. Makenna loves eating lunch at school, although I don't know how much eating she actually does. She usually comes home with an uneaten sandwich, a couple bites out of her apple, chips left over, and an unopened box of juice. Brooklyn doesn't get much time to eat either apparently. She was chosen to be the recycling 4th grader from her class to gather items from her assigned kindergarten classroom to take out to the recycling bin (to be done at lunch time). She felt honored to be picked for this responsibility; however, we will see how much she enjoys it come rain or shine (or snow up to her knees, against a bitter wind, walking uphill both ways).

Brooklyn has already had a run in with a ball and a awfully gross skinned knee. (To those of you who know her relationship with balls and falls, this will come as no surprise.) Often these encounters involve, bonked heads, glasses flying, big boo-boos on elbows and knees (and once, a couple years ago...an E.R. visit to see if any ocular bones had been broken). I keep telling Daddy he needs to work with her on her catching and dodging skills.

Makenna's teacher, Mrs. Abbott, just finished running another marathon in Disneyland. (She's competed there before.) She won another medal and brought it to show the class. Makenna enjoyed holding it and touching it. Mrs. Abbott missed some of the first week of school, including the Back-to-School night, in order to participate in the marathon. She must be a die-hard marathoner. I guess if I could choose where to run a marathon, Disneyland wouldn't be so bad.

Brooklyn's teacher, Ms. Johnson, is a first-year newbie, fresh out of BYU. An Oklahoma native, she loves the outdoors, camping, exploring, and her new job. I think she'll do great. She's got a whole "Happy Campers" theme going on in her classroom. She let the kids make S'mores the first day of school. At Back-to-School night, she explained her philosophy to the parents stating that she wants her classroom to be a positive place for all her students, where they are comfortable and happy. She wants to instill in her students a love learning so that they'll come to her saying, "Gimme 'S'more' !" (Very punny! But cute!) We wish her well this year.

I usually have wait longer than most of the moms for my two girls to walk out of the school. They are in no hurry. I asked Brooklyn why they are so slow coming. She said, "Because I have to say 'Hi' to Mrs. Jones (2nd Grade teacher) and Mrs. Stauffer (3rd Grade teacher) and we go see if Mrs. Stonehauker (Art Specialist) needs help cleaning, 'cuz she gives treats." Ah, the joy of having a little social butterfly in the family. So, after waiting for her to stop and smell every rose and say 'hello' to every ant she passes, she and Makenna finally make it out of the school (if she remembers get Makenna along the way.)

All in all, we are off to another good start at Mapleton Elementary.

Makenna and Brooklyn in front of Mapleton Elementary.
(The hidden statue behind them was created by our friend and neighbor, Cory Bird.)

Makenna and her 1st Grade teacher, Mrs. Abbott

Brooklyn with her 4th Grade teacher, Ms. Johnson