Jonas' 1st day of Kindergarten

Growing up, I can't believe it! I never thought this moment would come but it did yesterday,  Jonas turned into a kindergartener!  Here is to a brand new start of an elementary adventure.

"Teach your children to choose the right path, and when they are older, they will remain upon it." (Proverbs 22:6)

Back in January, we applied to schools for Jonas to attend.  We were accepted to Bear Creek K-8, an elementary school that feeds into Matt's high school.  However, just last week, we got the call from Dennison Elementary saying they have a half day opening.  We were elated!  Dennison was our first choice but we knew it was tough to get in.  Out of hundreds of applicants, we were one of the 60 kindergarteners that was chosen.  

The days leading up to the 1st day for Jonas, we enjoyed some moments together. We've been sipping vanilla steamers in the cooler mornings around the fountain and reading books about kindergarten.  

Here is a photo of the two bros last year this time.  They truly love each other!

 The evening before the big day, Jonas requested ribs, corn on the cob, and baked sweet potatoes. 

 

Morning of August 15, 2013...Jonas woke up with enthusiasm.  He first got dressed, made his bed, and came running out to greet us with big hugs.  As you can see, I was in a slumber from not sleeping well the night before.  I was the nervous one, not Jonas! Matt was able to go in late to school that morning to be with Jonas on his first day.  Since Matt didn't have students yet, he was able to take the time off.

 I whipped up some vanilla scones(requested by Jonas) and while they baked in the oven, we took some time around the fountain to open some 'back to school' gifts.  Jonas and Silas received Star Wars water bottles and...

 Dad received some work socks. :)

 Matt and I started a tradition last year to write the boys letters on their first day of school, and I was happy that we could read them outloud to them.  Where were the tissues then? 

Time for a photo opp! 

 These two guys just melt my heart!  How sweet are they?!!

2013

 2012

Scones with an over easy egg for breakfast.

 This is the 4 minute drive to the school...isn't it in a beautiful neighborhood? Jonas wants to ride bikes once or twice a week.  That is exciting!

Home of the Eagles!

 Dad in his bike clothes, classic!

 Dad and his two sons!

 Jonas' teacher lined them up when the bell rang and walked them into class. 

 From orientation night, Jonas knew where his desk was.  He looks so proud!

 Very attentive and curious!

 Teacher called them to the rug on the floor while Jonas chit chatted with his new buddy, Jack.  There was a playdate for all kindergarteners in the beginning of the week to be able to see familiar faces on the first day.  Jonas met Jack within the first 10 minutes of the playdate but took over an hour for them to play together.  Silas was a huge help for Jonas to meet new friends.  What brothers are for!

 As Matt, Silas, and I were escorted out of the classroom by the teacher's aide, I was able to hold it together. Knowing Jonas was so happy and comfortable being there, helped letting go. Jonas is learning to stand on his own, and I'm learning to become more dependent on God. 

Dad took off to work on his bike while Silas and I played on the playground for a few minutes meeting other kids and mommies. What a wonderful community.  We feel so blessed! However, I felt like there was a part of me missing...Jonas! 

 To thank Silas for supporting Jonas in this new journey, I took him to Chuck E Cheese.  Silas has been there once and was so delighted to experience it again. What a special mommy and Silas date!

Questions we asked Jonas:

1) What are you most excited about kindergarten this year? "Meeting new friends and learning to read." (same answer as last year)

2)What is your best memory of this summer? "Camping with my cousins on the beach." (same answer as last year)

3) Share something you like about you. "My name Jonas."

4) What do you want to be when you grow up?  "I want to be an astronaut. (same answer as last year) But I want to study rocks on the moon."

Favorites:

TV: The Cat in the Hat

Movie: Winnie the Pooh

Song: Darth Vader march

Toy: Legos

Activity: Making rocketships out of anything...legos, tinker toys, anything

Food: Pizza

Candy: Willy Wonka Nerds

Color: Yellow(yeyow)

Superhero: Spiderman

Shoes: Flip Flops

Mt Shasta and Oregon Coast-Part 3

After a wonderful time in Lake Tahoe, we headed north to meet family in Oregon.  To shorten the drive from 10 hours to 5 hours, we stopped halfway near Mt Shasta, northern California.  This was the only place we didn't make reservations and we were lucky to get the last campsite available in a radius of 100 miles near Mt Shasta. Phew!  After we set up camp, we took a hike to 3 different waterfalls called McCloud River Trail. The boy's love for the outdoors just blesses my soul and there's so much to learn about nature too.

If only we knew what the waterfalls entailed, we would have brought our swimsuits to swim in the watering holes.  This is a place I want to come back to. Spectacular views!

First view of Mt Shasta after we hiked out of the waterfalls. Massive!!

Campfires are perfect to snuggle and share stories!

Next morning after we broke down camp and before we left this area, we wanted to hike near Mt Shasta to get a better view. 

Peek-a-boo!

Today was Father's Day...what a perfect way to celebrate with Dad!

On our way to see the cousins.  Jonas was trying so hard to stay awake but he fell asleep, he was so excited!

Jessie H Honeyman State Park near Florence Oregon where we met up with the Robinsons for 3 nights camping! Yeah! 

Oma and Opa always know how to feed a crowd of people. 

Pork Ribs and corn on the cob!

Gatherings at the campfire was always entertaining with jokes, songs, riddles, stories, and much more!

The campground was perfect for families...after dinner walks around the grounds, 

bike rides with all the cousins, 

and a fun playground for the kiddos!

We had a contest of who can jump off the swings the farthest.

June 17th(Matt and Oma's birthday) we went on an adventure...sand buggy ride in the Oregon Sand Dunes!

Picture time before we get sandy!

Eli and Jonas sat in the very front while the rest of us were behind them.

This video doesn't do justice on how fast we went on the buggies!  Up to 65 mph! It was a thriller! My voice was so hoarse afterward because of screaming so much.

This was Oma's 2nd time on this ride...she's the one that instigated this adventure. She is such fun!

Back at the campground, we fished on a lake and caught a few trout. Uncle Nate and Daddy were in charge of unhooking the fish but one didn't live.  So we brought it back to camp to fry up.

Playing in the sand!

Oma keeping Jonas warm!

Later that night, it rained so we made dinner and cake inside Oma and Opa's motor home.  Happy Birthday Dad and Oma!

Then everyone participated in a talent show for Matt and Oma!  

Lots of time to play games with Oma

Reading with cousins

Our last adventure was a bike ride through the redwoods with all the cousins. Oma and Opa hiked the trail.

Jonas mountain biked for the very first time and did amazing! Lots of roots and steep climbs.

This was the beginning of our encounters of banana slugs.  Our first one we had to stop and look, after counting more than 50 of them, we no longer stopped. They were everywhere!

Silas and cousin Titus were on the tagalongs and loved it.  They both mentioned a little soreness in their bottoms from all the bumps on the trail.  Heehee!

 Cousins taking a break on a log and having a snack.  What cuties!

Next morning we had to say our goodbyes to Titus and Opa/Oma.  They were heading back home in Washington while the rest of us headed south. We love you Titus!

Here we come NoCal!