Another week . .

It is has been another crazy week in the Pickering household. I notice that it is during these crazy times that I most often get behind on my blogging. I realize that since someday I will look back and wonder what I did day to day as I was raising my children that I might want to document it.

So since it is snowing outside (the first snow of the season) and I don't feel like doing much of anything, then this is the perfect time.

The snow today was perfect for building snowmen. And even though I was frustrated by having to dig out the snow boots, gloves, coats, etc., the kids did have a great time doing what kids do.

You just got to love Ryan in his shorts and the snow. Typical. Actually he just got back from a basketball clinic that is being sponsored by Westlake High School. He loved it and it goes for 5 more weeks.

Speaking of Ryan, he had another big project due in class this week. He had to build a diorama of and Indian dwelling. He chose the Navajo Indians and built a Hogan. He also demonstrated their types of food, clothing and skills. He really got excited about this project and practically did the whole thing himself from the concept of the design to the actual construction of it. He even finished it a day early and was proud to show it off to the rest of the class. This ALL class for him had been quite interesting. I think that they have an insane amount of homework for 4th grade. And yet Ryan has stepped up and done it with little complaint and actually still enjoys it. It have been surprised. I greatly underestimated my son and I know now that is where he should be.

Alyssa also had a successful week at school. She got her first report card from Jr. High and got a 4.0 GPA. She was quite proud of herself and so was I. I worried that with the advanced classes that she would be stressed out a lot and struggle with her grades. Not at all. She loves her accelerated classes and had adapted quite well to Jr. High in general. She is definitely a strong person and doesn't allow the influences around her get to her. She stands up for her convictions no matter the cost. I admire her.

Anyway, she was able to attend a cupcake party, got to enjoy a lunch from Subway, and had another party honoring her as a Super Student. She has enjoyed it and I am glad that stepping up and doing her best is being rewarded.



Brianna is just my happy little camper. She is such a sweetheart to have around. She loves everything and is so helpful to me. She has enjoyed kindergarten and her teacher. She is just taking off in reading and is so proud. Plus she is just a little socialite. She loves her friends and can play hours of pretend and create things. I love her zest for life.

As for me and Roger, we we are on the go constantly. He has been very busy with being the Bishop but somehow manages to still spend time with his family and keep up on everything. I don't know how he does it but he is amazing.

My week was the usual. I have been frantically trying to tie up all loose ends for my trip to Peru. I went to my primary meeting, volunteered in Ryan's class, did the carpool, attended my SENG meeting (Supporting the Needs of the Gifted), went to the hospital to visit my Grandma, worked on Roger's birthday present, hosted play dates and even fed the family when needed. I think it was a productive week.

1st day of 4th Grade

Today was Ryan's first day of school. It is hard to believe the summer is actually over. No matter how much I tried to stop time it just didn't happen. So off we went. Ryan loves school and deep down I know he was excited to head back.

This year will definitely be different for him being in the A.L.L program. I know from our experience with Alyssa in the A.L.L. that he will have unique learning opportunities that he wouldn't have had otherwise. I am excited for him to experience this and to be a little more challenged.




Trying to figure out carpooling to and from school has been quite the headache but I think we finally got a good system in place (since most of us have kids in 2 different schools it was somewhat of a puzzle to arrange everything). Today I picked up 7 beautiful children from a bus-stop at the golf course and I felt such pride and joy in seeing them. We have great kids in the area and in the program with Ryan. This is going to good year with all of them.

Ryan had a wonderful day and he likes his teacher Mrs. Zito. She is an Ohio State Alumni and fan which means she has to be pretty great. He got a really "cool" planner and even homework on his first day. He was glad to be back at Saratoga Shores and to see all of his friends and Mr. Goodman. I hope the enthusiasm continues when he gets his first big load of homework :).

When he got home we made homemade chocolate ice cream to celebrate his first day of success.

Seventh grade here she comes . . .

Hurrah, hurrah, our first day of school is finally here! After months of anticipation, numerous dreams about getting lost and not being able to open her locker, and overall dread mixed with excitement, the big day finally arrived. I officially have a junior high student. Doesn't she look so beautiful and grown-up?!

Our school district has the 7th graders go a day earlier than the rest of the students. This is a nice way to acclimate the "newbies" and help them work out the kinks.

Alyssa headed down to the bus stop with her good friends Makayla and Sadie. They have been going to school together since the 1st grade and I am thankful for such wonderful girls and the positive influence they are for Alyssa. They were all smiles for the pictures even though they "really did not want to take any, how embarrassing you know".

I was able to sneak in a few pictures at the bus stop even though that was forbidden.

Alyssa survived the day. She said it was long and exhausting. They attended all 8 classes with 850 other 7th graders. (I only had 900 kids in my whole high school including 9th grade, so I can't even fathom that).

She had 8 fire drills, 4 assemblies, waited 30 minutes in the lunch line only to have 10 minutes to eat, and didn't have a chance to go to the bathroom all day. In the end, she learned very little about her actual classes.

In spite of the craziness, Alyssa really enjoyed herself and is actually looking forward to returning to school. I am sure there will be many more exciting days to come.

Last Day of School!!

Summer has officially begun. Today was the last day of school. You know it has been a good year when both of your children come home crying. Neither Alyssa or Ryan wanted the year to end. As a mother I was feeling pretty much the same way (hehe).

Truthfully though I was feeling a little blue myself. The kids had amazing teachers this year and I was sad to think that they are moving on. I respect these teachers so much. I hand over my kids day in and day out for over 18o days. I rely on those teachers to protect them, teach them, and care for them. That is a huge responsibility and I can't help but feel grateful for their dedication and love of teaching. I hope my kids remember how lucky they were to this year.

Alyssa was especially sad saying goodbye to her friends and Mrs. Gurr. She is about to enter a new phase of life and although she is excited there is a lot of trepidation to leave her comfort zone and tread into the unknown. Bye Bye elementary, hello junior high.

Ryan had his best school year yet with Mr. Goodman. I believe Mr. Goodman is somewhat sentimental himself. He sent each child home with a scrapbook. It was over 4 inches thick and weighed a good 8 lbs. It contained pictures, papers, their class motto's and any other significant event or special awards they received throughout the year. I was amazed by the amount of work and money that had to have been put into this project. Maybe I can hire him to come and finish all the rest of my scrapbooks. Mr. G is truly one of a kind.

In order to forget being sad and to start off the summer with a bang we headed straight to the movies. Daddy was able to tweak his schedule a little and met us there. We saw Night of the Museum II and the kids loved it. I hope this is just the beginning of a fun summer to come.

Sage Hills ThunderHawks

Today I attended an open house type thing (sponsored by the PTA) for the new Elementary School. The new school's name will be Sage Hills Elementary. (When we submitted our choice for names we suggested Sage Elementary so we were pleased with the new name). We also found out they will be the Thunderhawks with the colors of navy blue, gold and sage.

We were able to listen to the new principle give updates on the progress of the school and the hiring and so forth. She said she had 1,009 requests for interviews to fill the 33 spots in the school. I hope with those odds that we get some of the best teachers possible. We then were able to ask questions and so forth.

I left the meeting with a much more positive attitude about the new school. I think it will be exciting for Brianna to attend there and many neat things will come from this opportunity.

Go Thunderhawks!!

Mr. Goodman

I got back awhile ago from volunteering in Ryan's class. Every time I leave there, I just love his teacher more and more (and by love I mean in a non-creepy you are amazing sort of way). He is probably one of the most qualified, talented, and organized teachers I have ever met. He truly has a passion for teaching and it shows in his classroom. I feel really lucky that Ryan got him this year, it is as if we won the lottery. It is only too bad that there aren't more of him to go around.

Actually, Alyssa got a great teacher as well in Mrs. Gurr. She relates so well to those 6 graders and has taught them many life skills in addition to regular school material. Plus she has a real wry sense of humor which Alyssa totally gets and loves. This had been a great year for us all when it comes to school.