(last) first day of preschool

It's hard to believe my youngest baby is starting his last year of preschool! And to come full circle, we are completing our preschool years back at the place we first started with Camden in the 2s class in 2013...St. Elizabeth Seton (our home parish)! We went to other preschools that were closer or had more desirable hours when we had preschoolers and babies at home, but we are back at our church this year. Hoping for a great year for this guy!

Levi

MWF 4's Class

St. Elizabeth Ann Seton

Mrs. Goedde & Mrs. Brural

back to school - elementary

 It's back to school! We had a lot of fun this summer (Savannah said it was the best one yet) but everyone was getting on each others nerves the last few weeks so a change of pace should be good.

Jonas

Second Grade

Mrs. Tobin

Prairie Trace Elementary

Savannah
Fifth Grade
Mrs. Leatherman
Prairie Trace Elementary

Jonas is in 2nd grade in Mrs. Tobin's class. They converted the former STEM lab into his classroom so he has access to the courtyard and tables for desks.

Savannah gets to enjoy being the oldest grade in the school! They definitely make 5th grade fun for the kids, and she's really looking forward to all the perks.

For the two at home, we celebrated with the Pre-School Splash Bash at the waterpark (I told Levi it was for preschoolers and their Camdens). These two are starting their final year at home with Levi going to Kindergarten next year and Camden off to high school! We'll be sure to enjoy this last year together...I know next year is going to be a BIG adjustment for our family

back to school

 Early August means back to school!

Camden - homeschool 7th grade

Savannah - Prairie Trace Elementayr 4th grade with Mrs. Peasley

Jonas - Prairie Trace Elementary 1st grade witih Miss. Green

Levi - Venture Christian Peschool 3's program with Ms. Amanda and Ms. Lisa

Kindy 500

 Despite Jonas being our 3rd child to go through Kindergarten, this was our first Kindy 500! Camden was in a different school program and Savannah's was cancelled due to Covid. It is an annual event at the elementary school. Each child is given a box to take home and decorate. Then, all the kindergarten students walk in a parade around the school before racing. It was super cute. I suggested a bath tub themed box and Jonas thought that was great (although I sort of regretted it when I was trying to make a bunch of "bubbles")! He was definitely the only bathtub car and got some laughs for sure. I asked him how much work he did to make the car vs me and he thought he contributed about 25% (not sure he knows how much that is).

cars lining up

parade

racing (passing a "broken down" car)

Ms. Catron's racers

last day of school

 All three kids ended school on the same day this year which made for a fun day. Here is a little school recap for everyone.

Levi - didn't go to any school and enjoyed time with Jonas. He'll surely miss him next year.

Jonas - He participated as a "peer mentor" in a Carmel developmental preschool at the elementary outside of our neighborhood, Cherry Tree. It was a great experience there and he seemed to enjoy it. I am hoping maybe Levi can participate in the same program in two years. I know Jonas is academically ready for Kindergarten, and I hope he can do well with the full days in the fall.

Savannah - Her second grade year has been the best so far. She's had issues with anxiety and socializing in school, but both were improved this year. There were many days she really wanted to go, and never had any issues going in the morning. She still had "Sunday scaries" sometimes, but it is hard to leave the weekend. Hoping next year she can branch out and make some closer friends.

Camden - His final year in elementary school has come to an end. I know he's enjoyed Prairie Trace and will miss it and his friends. He's done well in school and learned so much. While his friends are all moving on to Clay Middle, Camden will be making a transition to homeschool for 6th.  This will be a big change (as middle school would have been, also), but we are going to jump in with an open mind and see how it goes! 

Kindergarten - 5yrs

end of 5th grade - 11yrs

For now, we are going to take a break, enjoy summer and time together before we head into a new school year and many new beginnings.

First Day of School 2021 (elementary)

 This year marks our second year of starting school on uncertain ground. We had two days of masks "recommended" which turned it to "required" by day three. Also, there have been a bunch of last minute changes - new principal, huge bus driver shortage which means lots more cars/walkers, and of course, the masks. This year might be another crazy ride! (note: I forgot to take photos on the actual first day...or first few days, so these are from week three. Oh well!)

Camden - 5th grade Mrs. Awe. This is Camden's LAST year in elementary! Seriously, where has the time gone? Hopefully he enjoys this last year (with the convenience of the school right by our house) and solidifies some friendships that can last into the upcoming years. I've been thinking heavily about homeschooling him for the middle school years, but luckily we have several months before I need a concrete plan. For now, we'll enjoy this last year!

Savannah - 2nd grade Mrs. Swart. Hoping Savannah can feel more at ease this school year and start to speak to friends in her class more. If not, we'll bust out our tools and work through the issues. Off and on all last year and this summer, we've been working on social skills (books, workbooks, a virtual social skills class) to hopefully help her be successful.

last day of school

 After a very unpredictable year, Cam and Savannah are done (on 5/26)! We were really surprised that school managed to run in person all year. Savannah had a two week quarantine (her whole class did) right before spring break, that was actually perfectly timed (she was getting burned out and needed a break). The also rocked wearing masks all year. On to Camden's 5th and final year in elementary next year and Savannah will be in 2nd. Jonas will hopefully be going to a pre-k (some things are up in the air) for his last year of preschool. For the first time ever, we are leaving for vacation the first day of summer. What a way to celebrate!

SNOW

Usually February hits us with a snow or ice storm, and this year we had a day with A LOT of snow! It started on President's Day, so the kids were already off school. The next day ended up being a snow day, followed by a 2hr delay, another snow day, and a quarantine day (we were awaiting a Covid test result). So they kids had about half a day of school that week! Since the snow plows had to plow the parking lot behind us, we had some piles of snow out back to sled on. Yet another time we were loving our backyard! I do enjoy the four seasons in Indiana. The snow was fun but it will be great to hopefully welcome spring next month, too.

after not being able to get the snow blower to work, Chris made one final attempt and he got it running. Good thing, there was a lot of snow. We watched him clear off the whole driveway.

This is the first year Carmel did not have a snow day and instead had e-learning. I didn't mind because I like to see what the kids are doing in school. It is really hard trying to balance it all when you get thrown into it without any warning, though.

Camden asked to make lunch from a recipe in Savannah's princess cookbook

Levi was sick at first, so I didn't get a chance to enjoy the snow until later in the week. Luckily the snow stayed around long enough for all of us to spend a few minutes on the hill behind our house.