The New Reality

The Peavy's have survived their first week of Drake's kindergarten. We're working to figure out the schedule for our new reality and adjust to it accordingly.

Of course, most of my thoughts have been around the loss of our flexibility. We now need to be to school on time, in uniform, with no peanut products. We also now need to plan our vacations around school vacations - for the next 21 years! Obviously, I'm still adjusting......

The first week of kindergarten also brought about Tanner trying out underwear at school (unsuccessfully) for the first time. Let's just say - I washed a lot of clothes this week - both from Tanner and Drake. We've ordered some more clothes for his school uniform to help alleviate the laundry problem.

We've been getting Drake to bed earlier this week and he did wake up on his own every day. However, he got more tired as the week wore on - not a huge surprise - but he also started complaining of a sore throat. When I picked him up on Friday, he was laying down and I knew that wasn't good news. He did indeed had a fever and we took him to the doctor on Saturday morning - strep throat. Poor guy - fighting an illness while starting a new school. Talk about draining! Fortunately, he was a great trooper and in good spirits all weekend - and ready to tackle week 2 of his new school. Watch out - Drake Peavy is firing on all cylinders now!

Where's Drake?

Thought this picture was interesting as Drake just seemed to stand out. Of course, he's the only one I'm looking for :)

First Day of Kindergarten (aka the Pursuit of Educational Happiness)

Our Proud Kindergartener







We survived the first day of kindergarten. It might have been easier than I thought it was going to be - the day was only 2.5 hours and I was there the entire time. We got to put out the school supplies, fill out some forms, and have an informational time with the teacher. It was great to get to know the teacher a bit more as well as some other parents in the class. Tomorrow might actually be harder than today - having to leave him there alone........

Drake was his usual observing self - taking it all in. Later in the day, he told me that he had a fun day at school which, of course, made me very happy. I can definitely see the shy side of me in him at times like these.

I really do hope that he does well at this school. We feel fortunate to have Drake at Highline Academy, but of course, a parent always worries if they are making the right decision. Will he have fun? Will he thrive? Will he be bored? Will he make friends? I keep having to remind myself that many of my friends and colleagues came from very diverse educational experiences and we work side by side. Life (and school) is what you make of it. And as the flier we got from the school
said, research shows that when parents are involved, students have:

• Higher grades, test scores, and graduation rates
• Better school attendance
• Increased motivation and better self-esteem
• Lower rates of suspension
• Decreased use of alcohol and other drugs
• Fewer instances of violent behavior
• Greater enrollment rates in postsecondary education
  

I'm pretty sure that we will be involved parents whether Drake likes it or not.......

Last Day at the Swimming Pool

Snacks at the pool



Diving with Dad


Swimming with the boys


Tanner enjoying the big pool


Such fun at the pool

We enjoyed the last day at Denver Public Pools. What a wonderful way to wrap up before school starts. Both Marshall and I are a little in shock about summer being "over" in the middle of August. As an adult, summer "ends" around Labor Day, but now that we have a Kindergarten - summer is over in August. I think this will be an adjustment for us.

On Saturday, we attended the Kindergarten popsicle social at a local park. We met some of the other parents and Drake met some of his classmates. There will be 23 kids in his class and apparently the class is "girl heavy" - which Drake actually noticed right when we got there. He's already searching for his buddies. Drake also had his "testing" on Friday and the teacher said he did well. Drake later told me that it wasn't weird, but it was fun - a good sign! I'm sure we as parents are more nervous than Drake.

The Ahhh...... of Vacation

A wonderful trip


The entire Peavy family together


Enjoying time with Granddad and Gramma


Enjoying the Kayaks


Fishing at dusk

The first week of August brought our annual trip to the Peavy cabin in northern Idaho. We always look forward to a week of relaxing, good eating, time with family, and enjoying the water. Ever year just gets better as the boys get older and are able to enjoy the water more and more.

Drake was very comfortable in the water after his swimming lessons this summer. He enjoyed jumping off the dock (with his life jacket) and hanging out with his uncles (these guys were a big hit with Drake) in the "deep water". He also went in the tube behind the boat by himself for the first time. He also just loved playing in the water - on the tube, swimming, diving, snorkeling. You name it, he was doing it. Drake was also quite the little "skipper" this year - he was all about helping untying/typing the boat, helping with the buoys, etc. And on top of all this, Granddad taught him to ride his bike without training wheels - what a week!

Tanner wasn't as enamored with the water, but loved shooting the water with the cool "shooters" Gramma found at the Dollar Store. He also enjoyed playing with whatever ball he could get his hands on - beach, base, or croquet. Of course, he loved his aunt and uncle's dog as well.

And of course, Marshall and I had a wonderful trip as well. Reading, relaxing, floating in the water, kayaking, boating, skiing, time with family, and no internet or phone. Definitely a way to recharge for our new reality this fall - Drake starting kindergarten (which means two drop offs for school). But as with everything, we'll adjust just fine.

This trip was made extra special by the arrival of Marshall's sister and brother (and their significant others) for the end of our trip. Good meals, good conversation (which was enhanced by the cold, rainy weather that moved in), and just catching up as a family. What a beautiful location to have a family reunion.

Surviving the Spouse's 20 Year Reunion

The beginning of August took us to Pullman (the home of the Washington State Cougars) for Marshall's 20 year reunion. One never knows how these things are going to go - especially when you know hardly anyone. And every time I go to Pullman, I am reminded what a great town it is - a 10,000 resident town that is home to a Pac-10 University. Everything I think is cool - a small town with a major college. Always fun to visit.

The one great thing about the event is that we had TWO nights out in a row without kids. That in and of itself is a treat. We had the social gathering at the downtown bar on Friday night and survived the heat by kicking back a few beers. Of course, I kicked backed fewer than I might have given I was taking steroids for some random rash that started to overtake my body when we arrived in Pullman. What a way to kick off the vacation. We were also able to enjoy dinner at Sella's with Bob and Claudia and the kids before we went to the event.

On Saturday, we went to Sunnyside park for a nice family BBQ. Drake enjoyed playing on the merry-go-round with the other kids and Tanner "dug" digging in the sand. It was quite hot, but we enjoyed ourselves. That evening, we had dinner at the "Hilltop Restaurant" overlooking Pullman and WSU. It was a very nice evening and a very well prepared event. Marshall and I enjoyed our "date" and Marshall enjoyed catching up with old friends.



Washington State University