My Kids

 They make me happy.

For Bennett

Bennett was one of my students.  He was in 4th grade when I started at St. Augustin and he was truly a stand-out kid.  He was kind, smart, funny, musical, athletic, driven, and liked by everyone.  He had this quality about him that made him just so likable.  He was a bit of a trouble-maker, but only in a funny way, never being mean or malicious.  He was the student that you asked to run to the school office for you, because he was so dependable.  He was just a different type of kid.  I watched him grow from a boy to an adolescent over a 5 year period.  I picture him as an 8th grader, turning 14 at the end of the school year, wearing his sear-sucker suit to his graduation from St. Augustin.  He was one of the ones we would all really miss.  The halls of St. Augustin would miss his outgoing personality that shed a bright light everywhere he went.  Last Wednesday, for a reason no one can understand, Bennett took his own life.  The news was shocking...devastating to everyone that knew him.  How could such an amazing kid do such a thing?   What had changed? What was going on in his mind?  St. Augustin was a sad, sad place on Thursday with so many tears coming from students and teachers in all grades.  Even though he was in high school now, he had been a part of our family.

It's been a rough week.  I feel so terrible for Bennett's family - his parents and siblings who I've known for years now.  I break down as I think of his classmates at his funeral...barely able to hold it together.  I think of his best friends, boys that also hold a special place in my heart, as paul bearers.  It was a terrible tragedy for everyone.  I think of all of those people that packed into St. Augustin church yesterday to say good-bye, and how much all of them loved him.  If he'd only known.  And I realize that as a teacher and counselor, these kids are more than just students to me.  Their families are more than just acquaintances.  We are all part of a big family.  And I am thankful now, more than ever, to be a part of the St. Augustin community.  And to Bennett....you will never be forgotten.

At a St. Augustin House activity.  

With his beautiful sister, Maddie. 

http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/desmoinesregister/obituary.aspx?n=bennett-rolfes&pid=153763029

A few projects...

Well the biggest and best project wasn't one of mine...it was Joe and Holly's new baby girl, Saylor Lynn!!!  She was born last Friday and is absolutely gorgeous!  I'm so happy to be an aunt again and am also excited that Brynn will have a Coppola girl playmate.  Love, love, love this girl!  More photos to come.

Another (much less exciting) project was hair clips for Miss Brynn.  Holly had given her a felt cupcake clip a few weeks ago and it is so stinking cute. So this weekend I found some random felt in my craft closet and decided to try to make a few of my own. The felt was so easy because you can just cut it into whatever shape you want, sew a few little accents on it, hot-glue it to a snappy-clip and call it good.  A few more accessories to add to the rotation! :)

When we were in Guthrie last week I asked my dad to cut me a square piece of wood with a tic-tac-toe grid on it and 9 little wooden blocks. Then this week I painted all of the wood white and then mod-podged scrapbook paper onto each block.  A fun little way to play tic-tac-toe.  Not sure whether I'll leave this at home or take it to school, but Carter and I really love how it turned out.   Thanks, Dad! :)

Now that we have a home printer again, I decided to hop on the subway art bandwagon for some Halloween decorating.  Found both of these for free online.....but thinking two different styles for one holiday might be a little much.  :)

Brynn has a few little projects of her own.  First, she's mastered going down the step into our living room.  Face first isn't the best, but she doesn't seem to mind.

And she's learned to walk behind her walker.  She's getting a little braver each day, holding on with one hand, or trying to stand alone for a tenth of a second.  What a big girl!

Carter's doing great at preschool.  I asked his teacher today if he is crazy or if he listens or if he follows directions.  She said that he's been really good, sits for circle time and helps pick up.  When I asked if he participates in conversation, both teachers laughed and said "a little too much, actually....we'll know everything about what goes on in your house before you want us to."  Yep....officially watching everything I say in front of him! :)

Carter's First Day of Preschool

Wow.  I can't believe our little man is old enough to go to school.  Out of all of us, I think Cary is having the hardest time....makes him sad that Carter is old enough to be in school. All night last night and all morning, Carter kept saying that he didn't want to go to school.  It was obvious that he was a little nervous about it.  It didn't help that we told him he couldn't take any trains, and that he doesn't get to do what he wants all of the time, and that has to do whatever the teacher says.  Cary and I were just sure that this drop-off was not going to be pretty.

Carter's very first "first day of school" picture.  

My babies.  Does Carter's face show how excited he is??? :)

Carter and his best buddy Colby.  Colby is Hedy's grandson and is Carter's playmate at daycare every day.  Colby will be in the 4-year old room which is directly above Carter's room.  Seeing Colby definitely eased Carter's worries.  

Standing outside the building.  And getting more excited. 

As we entered the hallway to Carter's room, we saw Riley.  Riley also goes to Hedy's (and has been Carter's friend since birth) and so Carter was really happy to see her.  I think the two of them will have a good time being in the same classroom.

Standing by his cubby and his Thomas backpack.  By this time, he was noticing all of the fun stuff in his classroom and was not concerned about being there at all.  

Carter right before I left.  He found some puzzles (one with a train on it!) and he looked up at me and said "Mom, why are you still here?  I'll see you tomorrow.  I love you!  Wait....give me a hug!"  

And that was it.  He did great.  And he seems way too old.  And I get to go pick him up in an hour.  Can't wait to hear how it went!!!!

Guthrie County Fair

We spent Labor Day weekend at the Des Moines Register's #1 thing to do in Iowa this weekend: the Guthrie County Fair. :)  Let's see...how would I describe the GC Fair?  Dirty.  Full of animals, Carnies, rickety rides, and people I haven't seen in ages.  And really, its lots of fun.  The weather couldn't have been better and despite Katelyn having a double ear infection, the kids had a ball.

Claire and Brynn loungin' in their strollers.

The TRAIN!!!

Brynn tried out the pony and she hated it!

Captain Long Legs.  Don't ask.

The ferris wheel.  Are we REALLY going to ride that???

Thanks, Mom and Dad for buying Carter's wrist band so he could ride rides non-stop.  He was one happy kid! :)