Today we all (yes, all 5 of us!) took Austin for his first day of kindergarten. The energy was high this morning at the Ballard house! I (Joy) have been a little emotional today, being on the verge of tears a few times, but haven't "lost" it so far (there's still time though). I've heard a phrase a few times that speaks to this phase of our lives so well..."the days are long, but the years are short". These days of caring for 3 children five years old and under are tiring, I can't lie. But at the same time, I think, "how in the world did we get to the point that I have a child in school?" People keep telling me to cherish every moment because it passes quickly. I'm beginning to believe them. I pray Rodney and I can always see the "jewels" we're cultivating even when the days are long and hard.
Austin was excited this morning and said, "I can't believe I'm going to school today!" And Maren really, really wanted to stay at school with him, sitting down at the table beside him ready to color. She was a little upset when she had to leave. She will miss her playmate very much.
We're all looking forward to hearing how the first day went!
Open House yesterday...Austin didn't want to attend...and didn't want to leave!
Being shy meeting his teacher for the first time
An excited boy on his first day
Letting Austin lead the way to see if he remembered how to get to his class
Looking for contraband in his backpack already :)
Finding his cubby hole
And this how we left him...oblivious to the fact we were leaving!
Aug 25, 2010
Austin goes to Kindergarten
A slice of California and a soda please...
Rodney's parents came for a weeks visit and we were very glad to see them. Of course they really only came to see the kids:-)
Aug 16, 2010
Since we've been back...
Since our return from the Philippines we've laid low for the most part, spending the majority of time with family and friends. It took us several weeks to finish unpacking our 10 pieces of luggage. In fact there are still many things which we just don't know what to do with. They seemed important when we packed them but somehow they lost their importance once we hit US soil.
About two weeks ago Austin fell from his bike and broke his clavicle. 
Remember that Seinfeld episode, wearing those glasses at the movie theater?
Slone started eating from a spoon this week.
Our neighbors have a horse, a good opportunity to play with the camera.
Maren making parfaits with cousin Kaitlyn
Thomas the Tank Engine. At 5 years old, it doesn't get any better
than this. You can see his black eye from his bike accident.
Maren discovered doll houses... a shop project for Rodney this next year.
Just a pretty view from our yard.
