Ella's first day of 2nd grade!

This is an incredibly, super-duper, extra special

first day of school!

Ella started her first day of 2nd grade at a new school!

She will be attending Sayre Montessori School

this year!  It is a wonderful, private school that focuses

on a more individual, student driven learning approach.

Instead of tests, worksheets and lectures, you'll find Ella

and her 6 classmates working with manipulatives,

gardening, and exploring at their own pace and interest level.

Sounds amazing, doesn't it!

We did not arrive at our decision to have Ella try a new school lightly!

We have spent the last 2 years persuading and encouraging

Ella to go to school, like school, stay in school.

Waukee schools are excellent!  They are top-quality, wonderful

schools. Especially Shuler, where Claire goes to school.

Kids learn differently.  Bottom line.

Our job as parents is to help our child discover what kind

of learner she is and then find a place that can

help her be as successful as possible, while also enjoying

these early years!

Well, we have our first week under our belt and...

I think we found the perfect place for Ella!

There is no greater moment for a parent than to hear

your daughter say, "We have school tomorrow? Yea!

I love school!"

The 'classic' first day of school pose ~

My amazing, beautiful girl~

Proud daddy ~

Parenting is hard.  Sometimes I want to just find the

perfect "fit, solution, activity, philosophy"

that will make my children grow up happy and perfect.

Unfortunately, that is not going to happen.

Instead, I have to pray for strength and guidance,

stay close and communicate with my husband,

share with the parents who have come before me

and walk beside me, and then do what feels like

the next right thing to do. 

I have faith that God has given me these girls

to love and care for now, and that

their future is in his loving hands.

Play that funky music....

Here is another great video from Rock the Roof.

It's a little longer, but well worth it.

At the beginning, you find Avery after just climbing up

on the side of the stage.  She is shy and not sure if

she wants to join in.  So fun to watch her

ease her way over.

Also, toward the end, you'll see Claire and Ella

singing, "play that funky music white boy".

Awesome!

Videos from Rock the Roof!

I have some great videos from our trip to Arnold's Park.

Unfortunately, I'm having a terrible time getting them to upload.

So, enjoy this one for now.  Hopefully, more to come!

Watch till the end, Aves really gets into it, hilarious!!

Rock the Roof with the Fabulous Traidmarx!!

"You girls have no idea what a blessed life you lead!"

I found myself saying that to my girls several times last weekend.

We live a rock star life, literally!

Last week, the girls, myself and Grandpa and Grandma Johnson

all jetted (well, drove) up to Okoboji to jam with the bands

at Rock the Roof! 

Grandpa is a member of the Iowa Rock n' Roll Hall of Fame

band, The Fabulous Traidmarx!

The big girls have been playing with the band for

several years now, and we were very excited to get

to do it again.  It always amazes me to watch my

girls up on stage, in front of hundreds of people,

jamming out without a worry!  What a great experience.

We had a great time.  Played with the band on Thursday

night, shopped on Friday. It really doesn't get any better!

The best part for me: watching all 3 of my girls shine!

I have these moments, when I'm watching my child do or

experience something, and I all of the sudden realize what a

'moment' it is.  I suddenly realize that I'm watching

a moment that forever changes them, that will forever

be a memory they'll never forget, that will be an

experience that they will likely draw upon many

times over the years.  And it hits me, Wow! that's

a big deal.  I get to be present, to be a witness to

this awesome moment in their life.

I am so incredibly grateful to both sets of my parents.

They love my girls so much.  They cherish their time with

them and they create memories and experiences for

them that are making my girls the women they

will someday be.  Wow! That's a big deal!

The "Traidettes" chillaxing before the show!

In true 'rockstar' form, Aves sleeps through the opening

band.  She needs her strength for the main event!

The Fabulous Traidmarx!

Happy tambourine players~

Aves couldn't take it anymore and finally made her

way to the stage.  Once there, I couldn't get her to

come back down!  She was born a star!

No trip to the Okoboji area is complete without a

trip to Arnold's Park!

The tipsy house taught me that, yes,

I am getting old!  You know it's bad

when you get nauseous just walking on

an uneven floor!

The girls did bumper cars for the first time.

Watch out world, Claire will be behind the wheel

for real in a few short years!!

My little monkeys ~

The bungee trampoline was a big hit ~

Claire even figured out the flips ~

One last ride with Grandpa!

Parenting is hard.  Thank God for those

that have come before me and those that walk

beside me.  I am so grateful for the

loving village that cares for and protects

my sweet babies!