Another First Day of School

This week - Daniel and Andrew started their HIGH SCHOOL years. I absolutely cannot believe that my first two children are starting high school.

They are at a homeschool coop, so are taking core classes at the coop: algebra, physical science, study skills, history, piano and grammar and composition - so they are going to be busy; but busy hands are happy hands - and we want them to be very happy.

You can see from their faces - they are happy about school and also even happier to have their picture taken on the front porch @ 7:30 in the morning by their dad.

Another first day of school

This is Sam, on his first day of school. Sam started at Otter Lake Elementary as a second grader; he had the experience of being the 'new kid' and handled it great. Last year he successfully navigated through all the details and risks that a third grader faces and this year he is climbing towards the top of the elementary school heap. He is a fourth grader. His teacher is Mr. Green, who we are all excited that he has. Mr. Green has come back from teaching in Malaysia for 2 years. He is a 20+ year teaching veteran and we are looking forward to a great year for Sam. Sam also had a reading challenge this summer from his third grade teacher. He was challenged to read 1000 pages during the summer; which he did! So far, we have sent: Anne, Katie Emie and Sam off to school. Daniel and Andrew start on Monday - bright and early and David starts preschool on Tuesday - then the whole family will be covered with 'first day' posts. Stay tuned - 2 more to come.

Time flies

We have been reminiscing about the fact that 3 years ago (just a few days after coming home from 6 weeks in Ukraine) - I went down to the Twin Cities to begin a new role; leaving Karen at home with 7 kids - two of which were adopted and really knew nothing about life in a family. They would cry when it was time for supper; 'til they got their food, they would get into things, they wouldn't sleep, they would act up . . . lots of adjustments for their little minds and bodies. It did not take too long to realize that they needed some good solid structure and we got them into a pre-school. Now - Katie and Emie - along with Annie headed off to first grade this year! They have their own desks, Katie and Emie have the same teacher; Annie is in a different class. They left in their yellow school bus this morning and came home 9 hours later, a little tired, very hungry and all indications are the girls had a great first day.

At the fair

Rumor has it . . .

After an extended vacation - rumor has it the blog is going to fire up again. Lets get past Labor Day and then we have to share highlights from:

Davids Birthday
Emies Birthday
Annies Birthday
Katies Birthday
Summer at the cabin
Canoe trip to the wilderness
MN State Fair
Pergoooollllllllaaaaa!
First Day of School

Yep - that should about catch us up. Stay tuned.

Happy Birthday Emelia Anastasia Shervheim

Here is one of our first pictures of Anastasia (aka Nastia).


Emie (4) & Karen - Ukraine - July 2008


Here is Emie - celebrating her 7th birthday with us!! Emie has had a big week - she helped her little brother David celebrate his 4th birthday, has had Nana & Poppa here all week and they were able to attend a birthday party at her school this week and today has been - breakfast in bed, presents, a puppy cake from Kasey, chicken nuggets & french fries for lunch, Cinderalla in the afternoon and now pizza for supper (and of course - more presents).

Karen and Emie - 5 March 2011.

Emie has added so much to our lives - happy birthday Emie - and many more . . .

Love,
your forever dad

I’m 4 years old Daddy!

 

Papa helped me eat my Penguin cake, but we saved you a piece!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I love breakfast in bed!

 

 

- David