2013-14 School Year

And... finally it was the first day of school.  :)

Lexie had to be to school at 6 am for Drill practice, so... this was taken AFTER school. :)  You have to catch her when you can.  She is a busy girl.  This year, Lex started her Sophomore year at Layton High School.  Go Lancers!

 

This was a BIG year for Jackson.  He started 7th grade.  It was quite a bit for him to process AND it was his birthday so that made the day extra hard.  Who wants to go to the first day of school on your birthday!  Simply cruel!

 

From Instagram:  Oh myyyyy... I have seriously thought about this day since he was born. Jr. High can be brutal. In a way, I felt like I was throwing him to the wolves. Never before have I dropped him at a curb. We went to orientation, found his classes, and practiced his locker combination. Nothing else for this momma to do but send him on his way. After all, moms CAN'T GO in with you on the first day of 7th grade. Not cool. I'm sure we will have some bugs to work out, but I hope this will be a GREAT year. Plus.... IT'S HIS B-DAY TODAY! Happy 13th birthday Jackson. You are one amazing kid!

 

Oh myyyyy... I have seriously thought about this day since he was born. Jr. High can be brutal. In a way, I felt like I was throwing him to the wolves. Never before have I dropped him at a curb. We went to orientation, found his classes, and practiced his locker combination. Nothing else for this momma to do but send him on his way. After all, moms CAN'T GO in with you on the first day of 7th grade. Not cool. I'm sure we will have some bugs to work out, but I hope this will be a GREAT year. Plus.... IT'S HIS B-DAY TODAY! Happy 13th birthday Jackson. You are one amazing kid!
Read more at http://web.stagram.com/p/531096388939193262_45003493#hfTg7yXPk1bLTe6c.99

Oh myyyyy... I have seriously thought about this day since he was born. Jr. High can be brutal. In a way, I felt like I was throwing him to the wolves. Never before have I dropped him at a curb. We went to orientation, found his classes, and practiced his locker combination. Nothing else for this momma to do but send him on his way. After all, moms CAN'T GO in with you on the first day of 7th grade. Not cool. I'm sure we will have some bugs to work out, but I hope this will be a GREAT year. Plus.... IT'S HIS B-DAY TODAY! Happy 13th birthday Jackson. You are one amazing kid!
Read more at http://web.stagram.com/p/531096388939193262_45003493#hfTg7yXPk1bLTe6c.99

 

Collin started 4th grade.  He was so excited to be out of French and he landed one of the best teachers, Mr. Reeve.  We had high hopes that it was going to be his best year yet!

 

Izzy started 2nd grade with Mrs. Arnell and Mdm. Hassell. We had a break through - no tears the first day.  Way to be strong, Izzy!

 

 

2nd grade.... When I was doing her hair she said, "Mom, I'm not going to cry this year". Then, when I was walking her down the hall to her class she said, "I'm not crying, I just accidentally poked myself in the eye so my eye is just watering.". When she found her desk and sat down she was all smiles. She is either a GREAT actress or is excited to be in school. Maybe it is a little of both. :). So proud of this little minute for conquering her fear. Love you Izzy Busy!
Read more at http://web.stagram.com/p/531100821823592460_45003493#EQGomustF5afkGbb.99

 

Our Dopp crew at school is shrinking.  With Jackson leaving, we are down to five Dopps.  Next year adding Tolly will balance Ari's departure. :)

Do you like Collin's red vans?  When we were school shopping, they were his top priority. :)

 

From Instagram:  2nd grade.... When I was doing her hair she said, "Mom, I'm not going to cry this year". Then, when I was walking her down the hall to her class she said, "I'm not crying, I just accidentally poked myself in the eye so my eye is just watering.". When she found her desk and sat down she was all smiles. She is either a GREAT actress or is excited to be in school. Maybe it is a little of both. :). So proud of this little minute for conquering her fear. Love you Izzy Busy!

 

After school, we continued our tradition of grabbing a Yogo Togo Frozen Yogurt to celebrate the day.  Jackson was teary when we picked him up.  It was a long day for him.  He was sad he had to spend his birthday in school and that the other kids had early out and beat him home.  Life can be so hard.  But... after we had our yogurts he seemed a bit better.  We went home to celebrate his big day with cake and presents.

 

Happy Birthday, buddy.  This year you turned 13!  It has been quite a journey for all of us.  We are so proud of you for all of your accomplishments.  You have to work hard every day to keep your world stable.  Some days are easier than others.  As much fun as this life is, I'm really looking forward to the day that you are free from the limitations of this life.  You have such a strong spirit.  Your mortal body hinders you in so many ways and clouds your mind.  I'm proud of you for all you do to make progress.  You have come so far and I know that in the next 13 years you will make great strides as a young adult working his way to adult life and independence.  We love you Jacks! 

 

 

And... as a bonus, here is a pic of Jackson and his / Ryan's :) Science Fair Project from 6th grade.  He tried to identify the best recipe for GAK. :) 

 

 

 

Since Ryan was out of town, we tried to end the night on a good note by going out to dinner.  It was SO nice to see so many smiles.

2013 Last Day of School

When the last day of school hits, it is always astonishing to look back and see how quickly the year has passed.  The 2012-13 school year was no exception.  Here is a peek back at the kids on the last day of school.

Izzy and Collin had grown so much.  They would both beg to differ.  Most likely they will always be one of the smallest in their classes.  I often tell them being small is not always a bad thing.  After all, you usually get to sit on the front row on picture day.  That is a perk. :)  Then, when you are looking back at your class pictures ages from now, you'll be easy to spot. :) 

Izzy finished 1st grade, Collin finished 3rd.  Yes, Izzy's shorts are kinda short.  It was the last day.  What are they going to do, send her home.  Some days it is all about what clothes are clean.  Ya know? :)  I'm not sure why Col chose jeans.  Boy how things change.  Last year he wouldn't wear shorts.  This year I have to remind him it is snowing and that shorts aren't appropriate. :)  I sure love that boy.

 

 

 

 

This was a big day for Jackson.  He finished 6th grade and completed his time at Sam Morgan Elementary.  It was a bitter sweet.  Even though we are so grateful for his progress and success, we knew the end of elementary would bring a whole new element of challenges to his life.  Junior High can be brutal for any kid.  Add in disabilities, curriculum, anxiety, locker combinations, A / B Day schedules, gym, insane lunch rooms, etc., and you have one nervous mama.

 

 

After getting all the kids out the door and on the bus, I headed down to the Jr. High to watch Lexie.  It was her last day of 9th grade and her last day as a Fairfield Cheerleader.  The squad was performing in the final assembly and I didn't want to miss it.  They did a great job on their dance and their stunting.  The squad endured several challenges during the year.  As I watched them perform together this final time, I couldn't help but feel proud of them.  When they started, they were such a young, fresh team.  Many of the girls had never stunted before.  The final assemble was so fun to watch.  I hope the girls were proud of themselves for coming together to form a strong team.

 

 

 

Ryan picked up a little treat for the kids and left it for them on the dining table.  It was a fun surprise for them to find when they came home.  Ryan is a great dad.  He is always looking for ways to surprise and connect with the kids.  We are so lucky.

 

After stopping at the Jr. High, I headed back to the elementary for Jackson's 6th grade graduation program.  Ryan was already there as we had to divide and conquer to be able to hit all the kids' programs.  He recorded the first part of Jackson's program for me so I wouldn't miss a thing.

 

 

Jackson receiving his diploma from the principal and his teacher.

 

 

 

Jackson's teacher, Mrs. Chesley.

 

 

 

After his program, Ryan and I took J to our favorite local frozen yogurt shop to celebrate.  See that smile?  Those are kinda rare so when you see one, you know it is the real deal.  We are so proud of him for completing this milestone in his life.  Even though he has many challenges, he works hard every day to keep all the balls in the air and function as best he can.  Way to go.  You will always be our little J-Bird.

 

 

After frozen yogurt, it was back to the Jr. High to pick up Lex and her friends.  The school descended upon K-town fast food establishments and eateries.  It was fun to drive her crew around and see all her friends one more time.  Sophomore year was going to bring big changes for these kids.  Sadly, they would be split between two local high schools.  Even though they are great friends now, life happens, and some of those friendships will fade.  As they exited the car one last time, they waved and said, "Thanks for the ride, Mama Dopp! (their fav nick name for me and my big, white Denali)".  I hope the kids' paths will continue to cross.  They all have such bright futures ahead of them.

 

Next up.... SUMMER!

Fairfield Halloween Bash...

In October, the FFJH Cheerleaders and Officers were in charge of the school's haunted house.  I thought it was a bit of an ambitious project for a group with little to no financial backing, a short time period for execution, and no experience putting together such a lofty project.

But.... happily, I was wrong.  The kids pulled it off.  Lex was nervous about it too and volunteered to be in the kid friendly area.  She knew that would be a hit no matter what.  Jackson opted to stay home that night.  Haunted houses are not really his thing.

When we arrived at the school, we found out the haunted house was a bit scary for the little ones, plus the line was huge.  So we gladly went right into the kid activities.



This is "Porter".  He is one of Izzy's many crushes. :)  She sure loves Lexie's friends.

 

 

 

Jonah is another family favorite.  This kid has so much personality.  Plus, his family owns YOGO TOGO.  And... we all know how much we love YOGO TOGO.  It's no wonder he is so likable, go lucky, and happy.  If you had free YOGO connections anytime you felt the craving, wouldn't you be happy too! :)

Collin surrounded by princesses.  Krystal was a trooper.  She had fallen at the first of the year in cheer and broke her back.  She had to endure weeks of wearing a back brace.  What a trooper.

 

At the end of the kid spook ally, all of the kids were able to take a pumpkin home with them.  Overall, I thought the kids did a great job of putting together a fun activity for the kids.  The price of admission was cans of food and donations for the Homeless Shelter.  They were able to raise a nice little donation to give to The Road Home Shelter. Way to go Falcons!

 

The Candy Bomber...

The first week or two of school, the kids had a special surprise.  Our wonderful Librarian, through much hard work and perseverance, and with the support of the PTA President, arranged for The Candy Bomber to make an appearance at our school. 

 

 

 

For those of you who are unfamiliar with the story, here is a great little recap.  Just skip through the little ad at the front and get to the main gist of the story.

 

The Librarian's dream was to recreate the candy bombing for the children.  A few days before the event, she asked me if I would help her construct hundreds of little parachutes containing a piece of candy for the children.  It was so fun to be a part of such a special memory for our children.

Just this morning, my children and I were watching a rebroadcast of the Mormon Tabernacle Christmas Program.  Tom Brokaw was a guest on the special.  He highlighted this very story and Captain, Gail Halvorsen was there in the Conference Center.  It was fun to see my kids remember the event and the story from their school experience. 

 

After the Captain arrived, he came into the gym for a short assembly with the kids.  He was able to show pictures from that time period and tell the kids what it was like to be alive during that period in history.

 

I spy Collin in the crowd.  Do you? :) 

 

During the assembly, it was actually quite touching.  We were in the presence of a hero, someone who had been apart of our nations history, and someone who made a difference in so many people's lives.  The delicate nature of mortality touched my heart.  I know this sweet man will not be with us for many more years.  He is 92.  Even though his body is aging, his mind and his energetic spirit is alive and well.  To say he is a pistol is an understatement.

 

I was able to locate all my kidlets when we went outside to see the Candy Bomber in action.  I love ya, Jackson.

 

My handsome little, Collin.

 

Such a happy first grader, Izzy.

 

Oh, and here was a surprise.  Gus Girls, perhaps you'll remember our friend, Peggy Grainger, from Farmington.  She is now a teacher at our school.  Sarah, we just love your mom.  What a great addition to our school.

 

Getting ready for take off...

 

The ascent...  The kids were LOVING it!

 

The helicopter circled the school.  On the pass around the school, the Candy Bomber dropped all of the parachutes we made for the children. 

 

 

After the drop was complete, the kids were told to stay on the hill and watch.  The school was very worried the kids would flood the field and possibly make connection with the helicopter.  Can you imagine the danger?  But... the kids were very obedient and followed directions. 

 

The librarian was overcome with emotion when it was all said and done.  This project had been such a labor of love her.  You CANNOT even imagine all the red tape and paperwork she had to fill out to make this happen.  Evidently liability is a big deal.  :)  But... the stars aligned and in thanks to a very generous family at our school, it all came together.   

 

We were all so grateful we were able to spend the morning with this great man.  He represents his generation well.  It is sad to think there are only a few of them who remain.  Soon, they will all be gone.  But, their stories, and the accomplishments of their era will remain.  They are jewels.

 

After the kids went back to class, a few of us went and gathered all the parachutes.  We then took them back to the library, untangled all the ropes, and divided them into classes.  As we walked them around to the classes, the kids were so excited to get their parachutes - all 800 of them. :)  Don't you wish our librarian was at your school? :)