Tuesday, November 9, 2010

Ryan's second First Day Of School




We officially pulled Ryan out of Desert View Academy on Monday morning. Desert View was a great school and we loved it for Kindergarten because it was all day. The class sizes were small. No more than about 24 per class. She loved her teacher. It was near the Treehouse. I had always planned that she would attend DVA for kindergarten and then transfer her to Mesquite for 1st Grade, but I didn't. I thought just one more year. I would switch her for 2nd grade.
I feel it's important to attend school with your church friends. Not to make this post about me, but I remember growing up in the spanish branch. We went to a ward that was outside our school boundaries. All of our church friends went to a different school. I had members at my school, but it wasn't the same. Then in Jr. High, we went to Woodard where all of our friends went. Ericka and I LOVED it! It was great. And then the same for High School.
So Ryan. Everyday last year was a struggle to get to school on time. She loves her sleep! I would pick her up (from the top bunk) and get her dressed. She would cry and fight EVERY morning. I dreaded it. And she didn't' stay up late. Her bedtime is 7:30. She just was always a sound sleeper and needs 12 hours every night.....like her daddy. Reagan......doesn't matter what time she falls asleep....6:30am......like her mommy. Ryan also started getting into trouble in class. Notes almost every week, detentions.....blah. I tried to not place the blame anywhere else. If she was not behaving in class, we took it seriously at home. She would write letters apologizing to those she disrupted, including her teacher. She was not allowed to watch TV or play with her DS. Her teacher is very nice and conferences were always positive. "Everyone Loves her", "she's my smartest student", "Straight A's", "just Beautiful work", etc. ....."she just drives me crazy sometimes". Ok. Not really what I want to hear from a teacher. So we kept getting letters from the teacher and we kept struggling to get her to school happily. So it began to make us wonder if we should just switch her. Mesquite is a great school and the schedule would work so much better. So something just clicked on Sunday and we decided we would switch her the next day. Ryan was very excited. We showed up on Monday morning and accepted with Open arms (or open enrollment. Sorry I know this is a sore subject for most, but we do live in the district!) She has made friends and she loves her teacher. I have heard wonderful things about her teacher, and I'm grateful her classmates are kind to her.
So she has had a great second First Day of School.....but i forgot to take pictures.

Saturday, November 6, 2010

Mickey's Halloween Party

We decided earlier this year that we were going to do all we could to make sure to take the girls to Disneyland during their Halloween season because Ryan is a HUGE fan of the Nightmare Before Christmas and Jack Skellington is her favorite character. We have annual passes, but we bought tickets to go Mickey's Halloween Party. The girls had a good time and the rain stopped as soon as we got there and began as we were leaving.
Quick funny story: We were especially excited to take them to the Haunted Mansion because its decked out as HalloweenTown. We talked this up ALL year long. We get on.....Ryan and Reagan bawled the ENTIRE time. Hated it. Figures.
The girls with Sally.

AND the Moment of truth: Ryan started to freak out! I couldn't believe it. I PUSHED her towards him and he was so nice. She calmed right down. He told her he was so flattered that she dressed like him. It was cool!

Happy Campers! Reagan even loved it!



The Costume Parade



The next day, it was supposed to rain all day, but not one drop! It was perfect.
The girls FINALLY got to take a picture with Silvermist.



And then Tink.


Teacups with daddy.


Ariel's Carousel

Reagan Loving it...

Ryan loving it.....



Chris too.....


This is Mickey Mouse.


After two days at Disneyland........


Til Next time.....

Chris took that picture! I LOVE IT!

Tuesday, November 2, 2010

This is Halloween! This is Halloween!

Reagan went as her favorite, Hello Kitty.
Ryan went as her favorite, Jack Skellington.
We pieced their costumes together. I made Ryan's tutu and Chris made Ryan's shirt.
I think they came out cute.