typo of epic proportions

Um, I am laughing as I proof-read my last post about school, my sentence was supposed to say I'm NOT good at doing it all. Haha. I am clearly not capable of doing it all and even if I thought so, I wouldn't be conceded enough to say it;) 

“You’ll be on your way up! You’ll be seeing great sights! You’ll join the high fliers who soar to high heights.” Dr. Seuss

This school year is a big one for us. Dawson made the leap to "big" school {aka not being with Mama 24/7}, and after a year at home, Ella was heading back down the walkway to Northwest Christian, this time with her tag-a-long brother. Off on their way to a great adventure together. I realize now that the dust has settled just how much work last year was. One of my friends was laughing at me because I keep saying I can do this or that, or help with this, host this, go here or there "because I've only got the twins at home and just homeschooling two kindergartners." She was reminding me that having two 5 year olds at home and tackling homeschooling them is still busy, and as much of a load as some Moms ever have . It just feels so easy to me because the last couple of years have been so much work. I felt proud when I realized that the years I've home schooled have saved us over $25,000 in tuition. Wowza. But sometimes sanity is priceless. I am absolutely in awe of Moms that can do the home school thing forever. I kid myself into thinking that if Todd didn't travel, and maybe if he were 100% healthy, that I could do it. But that's a joke! I'd also need my parents to live close by, to have a masseuse, an IV infusion of Coke and caramel lattes, a maid, a chef, a gardener...I am just not good at doing it all. So we are thanking God that our kids have the privilege of going to such an amazing school this year, and we will leave next year where it belongs, in the future. Todd and I are always humbled when we realize we can't plot out our children's lives, even "choices" like education. God is in the business of change and so we are learning to set our organized, type A, planner personalities aside and let Him lead us year by year. Geography, finances, the needs of each of our children emotionally, spiritually or academically, health issues, work pressures or travel ~ there are lots of factors that we can't control, so we are gave up trying to have it all figured out. We figured God made the universe so He's probably got our kids' school career under control.

Before I leave you to browse some pictures, I'd like to share with you an excerpt from both Ella and Dawson, uttered on Friday afternoon after their first full-week of school. These quotes sum up their general feelings about being at school.

Ella: "I don't even need a weekend! This place is like camp but with all my friends!"

Dawson: "This place is a prison."

And there you have it folks. The social Mothra and the Mama's boy have spoken.

Dawson lost his first top tooth the night before his first day in 2nd grade

I always take the kids' 1st day pictures outside, but it was POURING out that morning. I was sad to break tradition. Also sad was the fact that both Ella and Dawson freaked out about the cute, adorable clothes I picked out for them to wear on the first day. Yes I am that Mom that gets excited about dressing them cute on the 1st day of school. I am also that Mom that didn't care enough to cause a fight. See, growth. Anyhow, they wound up in these ratty get-ups. Cringe. 

That missing tooth! Oh my heart!

>>>====> There goes half of my heart!

Dark circles from not getting peaceful sleep, that nervous smile, tears just about to burst. Poor Buddy! 

The note Ella left for us on the 1st day of school thanking her Daddy for paying for NWC and love notes to me and the twins. I checked my clock 752 times that day. Was it ever going to be 3 o'clock...

"Chalkboard" chocolate bars = Chalkolate! 1st day of school treats!

Time for me to put my teacher hat back on! 1st day for the twins at Ruff Academy!

Learning about the sun and that Jesus is the light of the world. Solar jars were a big hit.

The twins and I surprised the Bigs by showing up for lunch. We knew where to find Dawson... the peanut-free table

It was about the 6th day of school and Ella brought home some math homework {not the above} that she needed help with. Todd was home so he worked with her. She got a little stressed but finished it and was on her way. Todd teased me that he did that kind of math too, but in college, in the engineering program at Gonzaga;) It was a pretty intense math assignment. So the next day at drop off Ella's teacher realizes that she took home the advanced math class homework! Poor Ella! I was really proud of her though because she did it and it gave her a boost of confidence, and gave me some relief that she wasn't going to start calculus the following week! Ella and I have a joke we love "Dear Math, grow up and solve your own problems!"

Ordering numbers

Moon art! Take a close look at Mitch's arms... now Charlie's... We have a slight difference in personality here. Charlie thought this was body art apparently.

Painting the water for their ocean mural.

I was able to help in Dawson's class one afternoon, and snuck a pic of him working away.

Charlie always has his tongue hanging out when he's thinking hard!

Mitchy's bird art.

 Chapel day in their matching shirts! It's been a dream to see all the Rufflings go to NWC, 2 down 2 to go...

Mitchy is going to be an ornithologist when grows up, he is obsessed with birds. Here is a recent drawing. This boy is so divine, what a good little man he is. Over the summer he told me "Mom, readings easy. It's like eh-guh-guh says egg!"

Leaf creatures

Dawson's art, bird in flight, on a tree, and pooping. Of course.

Here is a sweet note one of Dawson's class mates wrote. Oh my heart! That phonetic spelling kills me, so precious. "Cross conchry" I love it! And how fitting that he shares his hand sani, definitely my child;)