He's Moving On Up

Jr. High didn't start off the easiest for Ben. He's always been the type to just have a few close friends, which is great. But, when one goes to the other Jr. High in town and the other is in a special course at Jr. High, you basically are starting from scratch in the friend zone. Sure, he knew several kids that were at his new school, but none he'd call his friend, just acquaintances. So the first week, he felt like a very small fish in a very large ocean.

He had problems with his locker the first 3 days and needed to ask for help to open it. Then, it wouldn't close. They eventually gave him a new locker. And he had to practice the combination at home. There's an app for that. Can you believe it? But, he's never done a combination lock, so it took a little practice. He got that down. Then, his elementary school was pretty simple. He was in one classroom and went to the other two sixth grade classes for other subjects. They were right next door. Now, he's in a huge school with two stories and about 40 classrooms. He's switching rooms for all 8 periods and is literally up the stairs, down the stairs, back up the stairs. It's a lot to get used to.

Then, the bus issue. Ugh, don't even get me started. David takes him in the morning, but he rides the bus home. He knew the bus number and that it was supposed to pick up at the back of the school. Then, they switched it to the front of the school after a few days. And it used to drop him about a 5 minute walk from our house about 20 minutes after school got out. It was perfect. Then, that driver was running late getting to the next school to get more kids, so they chopped his route. So, Ben was now on another bus number and it drops off an hour or more after school gets out. Not good. More on the bus later.

The thing he really missed was recess. Ben loved recess. He went outside after lunch one day and was stuck in the cell phone area. He didn't have a cell phone. And apparently, once you go out, you can't go back in until the bell rings. So, he sat there for awhile, and learned his lesson to not go outside. He finally found out that he can go to the library when he's done eating, which he likes to do. I told him great. That's where his kind of people will be hanging out.

We encouraged him to get involved in school. He wants to do track, maybe, but that's not until the Spring. So, we encouraged him to try out for Student Council. It's a great way to learn about the school and attend all the events and dances. They had their first meeting a few weeks ago and 54 kids showed up. There were only 6 spots open. He filled out his application and turned it in, and he got picked! We are so happy for him. They had their first official meeting yesterday and he seems to think he'll enjoy it and is excited about some of the upcoming events.

Now, back to the bus. So I find out that his original bus drops off in our neighborhood. He just only does the first half. So, if I look out my living room window across the field, I can see the bus whiz by and drop kids. Well, why doesn't Ben just get on that bus and he can walk home through the field or I'll go get him. That's way better than being on the other bus for over an hour. So, I tell him to get back on that bus and I'd be waiting at the bus stop when he got off. So, I'm there on Friday and the bus comes and goes and no Ben. Where's Ben? Did he get off somewhere else? Ugh, I drove all around the neighborhood looking and retracing the bus stops and no Ben. I know he'd know his way home if he was on the main drag, but most of the other parts of the neighborhood are winding and confusing. He's never even been over there. I used to get lost over there.

So, I was at his normal bus stop an hour later and the bus was over 10 minutes late. My heart was sinking just wondering where he was. The bus finally came and there was Ben. Whew. Needless to say, I got him a cell phone the next day. It's not a good feeling when for over an hour, I had no clue where he was.

Ben didn't mind getting a new phone. I think he feels like he's finally a grown up now.

So, yesterday, I tell him to go back on the original bus and get off at the second stop. Then, I get a text saying he can't get on that bus without a note from his parent. Oh vay! You've got to be kidding me. So, he's on the other bus but he'll get off at the first stop and there is a secret way the kids walk through the field and under some barbed wire to get to our neighborhood. Anything to avoid being on the bus for over an hour. So, Ben texted me all this and I went to meet him in the field. He was hysterical and texting me the whole time that he might not survive the barbed wire and it's been nice knowing me. That kid makes me laugh. In any case, I'm fine if he's lost or wandering through fields as long as I can text him.

And in his backpack today was a note from me to get on the original bus. It's been a heck of a few weeks and I'm hoping for smooth swimming for our big fish from now on.

Girl's Shopping Trip

After taking Emily and Alanah to Vegas last year for their birthday, a slumber party isn't cutting it anymore. Three of these girls have birthdays within 2 weeks of each other. The other is in June. But, to celebrate, they decided they wanted a shopping trip in Phoenix because our mall here in Prescott doesn't quite cut it. 

So, this past Saturday we loaded up and headed to the Chandler mall. Alanah is still in a wheelchair due to her knee surgery, but she made it worked without missing a beat.

They had about 8 stores they wanted to go. And when you have 4 girls trying on clothes, it takes about an hour to get through a store.  Here they are in the dressing room.  Oh, and Alissa's Mom took most of these pics, that's why Emily is smiling. If I took them, there would be eye rolls and slouchy shoulders. 

After a few stores, we headed to Cheesecake Factory for lunch. Unfortunately, we were all so full that nobody ordered cheesecake after lunch. But, it was good and we had plenty of other snacks.

The girls wanted to ride on these little animals. Whatever, it was fun. I'm glad they don't feel too old for stuff like this.

 

 And while they were off doing that, Dakri and I found the massage chairs. $1 for 3 minutes. Best money I ever spent. I have no idea what was so funny here, but we were enjoying those chairs. I want one for my house.

 

Then, we bought a cup of these things called Dragon Breath. I kept calling them dragon balls because they are froot loop colored balls. Anyway, they do something to where they have like dry ice or something in them and then smoke comes out of your nose and mouth. It was funny. They tasted awful.

 

 

 

Then, we shopped more. The girls all had about $100 to spend and I don't think any of them came close to that. They all usually were in sticker shock at $49 for a sweatshirt. These girls are Ross and TJ Maxx shoppers. We've trained them well.

 

The kids were wiped out when we were done. But, they even think the escalators are fun. Our mall is one story.

We waited in Pottery Barn while Alanah went to Lush to look at bath soaps.

See that pumpkin on the table? It was light as can be and cost $34!  I saw one just like it at Walmart the other day for $7! But, gosh, I love Pottery Barn.

Then, we got Starbucks and headed to Dave & Busters. It's a real arcade. We only have a dinky place with about 20% of the games they do here. My boss was so awesome and gave us 4 coupons, so they could get double the money.  Dakri, Steph and me sat at the restaurant area and ate chips and dip. We thought the girls would be done in like an hour. But, they were still going for 2 hours!

The even did this virtual reality game which they said was awesome. 

 

We left at 7:00, grabbed some quick McDonald's drive thru and headed home.  Whew, what a day!  It was exhausting but fun!  I'm glad we were able to spend this day with our girls.

A Night Away

Dakri always comes up with things to do. We joke that she has a spreadsheet for things and is always making plans. A few months ago, she suggested we go to Flagstaff for the night. Just the adults. They love this campground at Fort Tuthill and about 1/2 mile away is Pepsi Ampitheater. A cute little outdoor venue in the pines. 

It sounds dreamy.

So, she says their is a Phillip Phillips and Gavin DeGraw concert on a Thursday night and that we should go. This was two months ago. We figured we'd find a way to make it work with the kids and it being a school night.  So, we got the tickets and booked a campsite.

We didn't think we were going to be able to swing it.  Too many things were coming up making it difficult, but Dakri's Mom came up for the night and everything worked out and we went.

Dakri and Ryan set up a tent for the night. They don't do tent camping. David and I put an air mattress in the back of the van. It worked out perfectly for one night.

We were cracking up at David's pants. The legs zip off, so the pants become shorts. He got this pair a few years ago, and he pretty much always wears them as shorts.  So, when I wash them, I just wash the shorts. So, I brought the legs because I knew it would be colder and mosquitos might be out. When, he put them on, we all laughed. It's like two toned. Not to self, wash the bottom part for the next 20 loads of laundry.

Here we are at the event. The music isn't 100%  what we are into, but at this venue, anything is great.

The moon coming up over the stage.

The next morning, we headed to this cute diner for breakfast.  Coffee never tasted so good 

Then, we did a 3 mile hike on Fatman's Loop. 

Then, we headed back home. It was such a nice night away. I'm so glad we were able to go.

Nine

This sweet boy turned 9! How can that be? I made him 9 pancakes for breakfast.

 

He took some fruit roll ups to school to hand out to his class. And when he got home, I made him rice krispy treats. For dinner, he wanted Texas Roadhouse. He loves their steak bites. 

 

He absolutely refused to let me tell the waitress it was his birthday. He didn't want to be embarrassed with the birthday song and saddle. So, instead, he sat on it on the way out.  

 

Then, he opened presents and cards from sweet friends and grand parents. 

 

He got to this one and smelled it and said, I can tell it's from Granny. She sprays hers with perfume.  :) 

Noah isn't a cake person, so I made him chocolate chip cookies for dessert.

 

He had to go to school on his birthday, but I think the rest of his day was pretty good. I don't know what he wished for, but it better not be another kitten! 

First Day of School

Yesterday was the first day of school. We have three kids at three different schools this year. That's rough. For Emily and Ben, it's a new school, so there's lots of things to learn.

The kids were ready for the first day.

 

I figured Emily would have the easiest time. She's been going to the high school every day for 2 weeks for color guard camp, and she went for a Freshmen orientation. So, I thought she'd be more than prepared. 

 

Noah's an old pro at his school, so I wasn't too worried about him. 

 

So, how did they do?

Emily calls two minutes after school gets out and says she can't find the buses. What? There are probably 10 huge yellow buses at your school and there is one way in and one way out. How can you not see them?  She can't find them, and of course, she's too scared to ask anyone. A few more minutes trickle by and I knew the buses were probably gone by now. So, I told her to walk to the jr. high next door as Dakri was there picking up Alanah and she could get a ride.  So, she did that.

Ben had a good day, he found the buses. But, he couldn't get his locker open. He had to ask for help several times. Ben's always been the type to just have a few great friends, and that's awesome. But, when one of his best friends goes to a different Jr. High and the other goes to your new school but has zero classes and lunch with you, you are on your own until you make new friends. That takes some time. For now, he sat with Emily's friends, which is fine. I just hope he branches out and makes some new friends this year.

Noah did great. I knew he would. He likes his new teacher. He doesn't have his best bud in his class this year, but they play at recess and before school. He'll make new friends too in his class. I don't worry about Noah where that is concerned.  

I spent the day loving on sweet little Prim. I think Sadie has gone by the wayside and now it's just Prim.  

 

Here's hoping the rest of the school year is as peaceful as Prim.