DK Turns 4!

Dee Kenneth, how did you get your name?

D: I was named after grandpa Dee and Grandpa Ken.

Where do they live?

D: Grandpa Dee lives with grandma, and Grandpa Ken lives with Grandma Kerry.

Does Grandpa Ken live with Grandma Kerry?

D: No, he lives with Heavenly Father, and I miss him.

♫

How ironic, that DeeKen's birthday would be the first birthday after grandpa Ken's B-day and D-day. I am so glad we named him after his grandpa. Ken always joked about how when we spelled DeeKen, the K needs to be capitalized. I never have stressed the point much. Only recently when he was starting pre-school did I decide for sure that I wanted him to be learning his name with the capital K in his name. It is appropriate and very fitting to honor his grandfather in this way. He liked DeeKen so much. Loved that he was named after him. Loved to laugh at all the cute things he said. Loved to rub the top of his head. I miss him so much. I am glad I have my own little Ken.

DeeKen's 4 year old questions!

Favorite Color: Blue

Favorite Number:5, because it is a long number

Favorite Drink: Cream Soda and root beer

Favorite food: Cereal, fruity loops

Favorite game: Bingo, that has the shapes

Favorite animal: At the zoo? Something that doesn't scratch. An elephant

Favorite Song: The wise Man

Favorite TV Show: The cat in the Hat

Favorite Movie: Bugs Bunny

I feel sad when: grandpa Ken dies

I Feel Mad when: summer comes

I feel proud when: July? When i play with Gunner.

I feel scared when: Halloween comes.

I like it when my friends: come over to my house

I like it when my teacher: gives me cookies

I like it when I: play wack- a- mole

In the summer I: like to go to cherry hill

At school I: like to play

I am good at: playing uno moo

If you had one wish it would be: grandpa Ken to come back

I am special because: Heavenly Father sent me on this earth

What makes you laugh: silly faces

If you were a parent for a day, which rule would you get rid of: no hitting

What do you want to do when you grow up: A fireman truck. No, fireman people.

Do you think it would be hard to be a mom or dad: yes, it would.

Why: I would miss you.

If you could have a magical power what would it be: To be nice.

What is the best thing about being 4: eating ice cream

What is the best thing about being you? being bad or good. Taking care of everything that is on the world.

I can't believe how much he has grown since last year. He was the first kid I did pictures like this with. I love it. Hope you will continue to indulge me on my kids birthdays.

Well done thou good and faithful servant

Jack Kenneth Farr

Sept 4, 1943-Sept 4, 2010

Me: Life is weird right now. I don't want to miss a thing. I don't want to miss Jo's cute smile as she walks away holding her Daddy's hand. I don't want to miss DeeKen tell his daddy with full determination, "I WILL eat it!" We need to be kinder to one another, speak softer, and serve one another more. Life is too precious, it could be gone in a moment.

John: To worry is to doubt God.

Me: It's not doubt, it's grief. It's an awakening.

I will miss my sweet father-in-love so much. He went too quickly. Too unexpectedly, that I still can't quite believe that he is gone. That he won't walk through the door and give me a big hug. Tell me to "Cheer up" as I walk by. Remind my kids that we can all be friends with a quick mention of "buddies of buddies are buddies".

We love him so much, and are grateful for the Gospel plan of eternal families. He may only be a memory now, but we will see him again. He will hug me tight and treat me as one of his own. He will tell me he loves me and give me that Ken Farr smile. Until then, we will celebrate the new adventure he is taking and the place he is preparing for us along side him in heaven.

We love you grandpa!

We love you dad!

Back To SCHOOL!!!

GOING BACK TO SCHOOL,

IS SUPER COOL!

First this happened. Finding out the name of who your kid is going to spend more time with during the day then you, can be quite unsettling. Knowing a name gives you no idea of who they actually are. Then you get mixed reviews from all the moms and kids you talk to. Then there is that small fact that your sons teacher recommended to the school that he get a certain teacher, and he didn't get that teacher. You wonder, is this an answer to prayers(prayers you have been saying like crazy for your child, so that they will have a successful year), or has someone screwed up. You try to keep your cool in front of your kids, because you don't want it to effect their feelings about their teacher. But the whole thing, at least for me, can be pretty....unsettling.

It is nice however when you get a call from the school, a recording mind you, that says their had to be some changes made, and your child may or may not be effected. And you feel complete peace, knowing your prayers have been answered. And even though, you will later find out, your child still doesn't have the teacher you thought he would get, or the teacher you didn't want him to get, and now has Two teachers that you know nothing about, you feel like it is right, and things are good! That is very settling, calming, and gratifying

Then a week passes, and just like every year this happens! BACK TO SCHOOL FASHION SHOW!

They have so much fun doing it, it makes me laugh how crazy they get. Jo was an honorary participant this year, but DeeKen is actually becoming a member of the school attending children. I can't believe it! Even crazier, is that Jo will join them next year!!!

Then this day comes! and no matter how I think I have prepared, I am still running around like a mad woman. Oh well!

Here are my two grade schoolers!

and them plus my preschooler.

No matter how early I get up, I can not get enough time to do all the things I want to before school. We were trying to hurry like crazy, and still get all the usual pictures. I should take a moment to thank those friends who provided apples for my kids new teachers. Since Noah was starting preschool we have always given their teachers apples on the first day of school. We read it in a little Critter book, and it has been law ever since. I thought this was more common, but I never see anyone else do it. So THANK YOU KT for 3 apples, however, DeeKen got his hands on one and started to eat it before I could stop him, thus, THANK YOU Natalie, for your apple. THANK YOU also to my mom who knew we didn't have them, and went and got some so we had them by the time the flag ceremony(pictured Below) took place. We used one of those for DK's teacher the next day.

Micah's first time having a locker!!! Pretty COOL! I feel like I should get her a mirror and some other cool stuff in it. Too Junior Highish???

This is Micah's teacher. No I didn't get who I wanted for her either. I know little about her, but I have heard the parents think she is VERY interesting, but the kids LOVE her. We shall see.

My big first grader!!! She at least knew some kids in her class this year. Moos' response when we asked her if she was ready to go to all day school, "It isn't ALLLL day!" Micah is lucky, she started school at just the right time to get to stay in one school for at least 3 years. For Noah this is his first year getting to go to the same school. Poor kid, makes you feel for army kids.

By the time we made it to Noah's class, he was the LAST one in. They had already fully started their day.

This is one of Noah's teachers. I liked her. She was really kind and sweet even though he was late on his first day!

After we got Noah and Micah to school, DK and Jo and I played on the playground until it was time for the BIG moment...

Noah's scout troop got to retire the old flag and hang the new one, but that is not all. Noah got to lead the whole school in the pledge of allegiance. It was a very big moment for him, and even though he asked to do it, he was very nervous. He did a GREAT job!

My moo baby in the crowd.

My two kiddos I have left at home. Lots of hugs were given that day. It is good to know they can play pretty well together, and entertain each other. What a relief.

The day seemed to be a success! I am so happy the school year has started. Lots of fun things to look forward to.

And now for the hear breaker, my Dee started preschool, and he had to walk all the way...

across the street. I am lucky to have two great preschool teachers right in my cul-de-sac. After deliberation, Dee is going to the 3 year old preschool. He will miss the Dead line for Kindergarten next year and will have to attend two years. We could have put him in the 4 year olds, but we thought he might as well rule the school for a year. Plus his little buddy Gunner is in his class.

BREN, this is Deeken's best Preschooler poise. I thought it was pretty cute, I still need to capture the older kids!

Dee with his apple.

Mrs. Bridgette and my very handsome little man.

Jo wanted to wear her backpack to pick up DeeKen. Fast forward one year, and this WILL be her. So crazy!

This is Dee and little Gunner. I am so glad DK has found a good little friend!

Hopefully there will be lots of fun playdates to follow preschool. He didn't even have time to tell me about his first day, he just wanted to head right over to Gunners.

Which left me and Jo alone again, and me wondering how time has passed so fast!

I saw this poem on another blog, and thought it was very appropriate.

We Left You at the Door

We took you down to school today.

You’re just beginning now.

Although this year you’re five years old,

You seem so young, somehow!

We didn’t take you all the way,

For we’d been told before

“Don’t go into his room with him,

Just leave him at the door.”

Up to this time we’ve always gone

Together everywhere.

And we have had a lot of fun

While traveling here and there;

But I well knew before it came,

We’re parted more and more;

So many times we’ll stand outside

And leave you at the door.

You’re growing up so very fast

It’s hard to keep in step;

The fact of changing years is hard

For parents to accept.

You’ll have to walk your path alone

No matter what’s in store.

We’ll bring you up to life’s classroom,

Then leave you at the door.

While you were ours these tender years,

We treasured every day

Full knowing that the time would come

When you would go your way.

And though this love will still remain

Within the heart’s deep core,

Our eyes will sting to see you go—

And leave us at the door!

Our Summer Vacation with a DADDY!!!