Knarra Creek Hike

What a great day! We did this hike last year and liked it so much we wanted to bring the family back. Anton was in town and is always up for a hike. We originally planned on doing the Narrows (minus the kids), but there was a chance of rain so no permits were given out. Jer and I feel like this is a "mini Narrows," so it was the next best thing.

Jeremy carrying Prentice, Grandpa Tony, Uncle Anton, Nicole, Truman, Aunt Monique, and Grandma Debbie.
It is one of my favorite hikes. The slot canyons are beautiful and every part of it is stunning.

There were waterfalls all along the way. There is no avoiding the water. If you do this hike, you will get wet.

There were two spots like this where you had to climb a rickety ladder while holding onto a rope to continue. I am petrified of heights, so this was a bit of a struggle for me, but with a little help from all the boys we all made it up. I wish I would have gotten a picture, but there was also a part where there was a perfect slide, that the water had formed over some rocks. Truman was brave enough to go down it with the help of some teenagers who were sliding down. Speaking of Truman, he always amazes me on these hikes. I always think he will do fine, but he always does amazing. He didn't complain at all and even made it further than Jer, Prentice and I. We turned around after lunch, because Prentice was getting tired. Everybody else kept going and Truman insisted on going with them. He made it almost the entire 8 miles round trip without complaining or whining the whole way. We were all sore and tired the next day, but of course Truman was just fine.

I enjoyed this hike so much, and was so glad we got to spend the day together as a family. Jer has this next week off from work so we have more fun family things planned.

Off to Kindergarten

It's official. Today was Truman's first day of kindergarten. He couldn't wait. He was up early and dressed with all his jobs done, even though he doesn't go until 12:45. His teachers name is Mary Contreras, he will attend the public school Coral Cliffs Elementary. He goes from 12:45 until 3:30 in the afternoon. There are 2o kids in his class.

I have to admit that I was ready for him to go as well. I didn't cry and still haven't. I know he will love school and feel as though he will benefit from the interactions with other kids and just for him to have something to do for a few hours a day. The last few months it seems like he is kind of bored with us here at home and was ready for a change.

I do feel as though we are entering a new phase for our family. No more leaving whenever we want for a trip. Nights of homework. No late nights during school. I have started my days of being a taxi. Partly because the bus will not come and pick him up for school even though we live a significant distance from the school because he is the only one in our neighborhood. So not only will I have to take him everyday, but there is no one to carpool with. Oh well! They have their reasons.

He had his kindergarten assessment last week and did really well. He is my first, so I think I definitely fit the mold of pushing your first one. I was there with him, and the thing I thought was funny is that he was so concerned and interested in every single thing that he could hear and see while they were trying to test him. He would get distracted by the recess bell, the kids outside playing, the kids lining up in the hall...etc. It just made me realize that all those things are so new for him. I'm sure before long, he will get used to all the sounds and happenings at a school, but if not, his teacher might have a hard time keeping him on task.

Just for my records and recollections:
He knew all his letters upper and lower case and their sounds
He could count to 100
He understand one to one matching
He can add simple numbers up to 10
He could rhyme
identify beginning and ending sounds
identified about 20 sight words
can write simple words, sometimes omitting the vowels
He knows how text works in a book
He can read on a Level 6 with about90% accuracy
He can write all his letters

I would say that of all he can do academically, the only thing we may need to focus more on is his writing. Sometimes he has a harder time forming his letters properly. I am proud of him and all his hard work. He is also a good friend and loves to be around other kids. He is kind to all other kids (except for Prentice), and is willing to involve anyone in his play. Good luck in school Truman!