Say No to Bullying

Wanna hear a funny story? So, yesterday I was at IKEA with Parker for a bit of meatballs and window shopping. I wanted to renovate the laundry room and his bathroom and I'm about ready to take matters into my own hands since we don't have dollars for a custom renovation. We were browsing the pillow covers when I got a call from the school. It was the principal. I thought he was calling me to congratulate me on my new job (I got a job at the school!) but no. Tanner thought he was calling me to ask me out. But no. He was calling to say he'd just been with Jack in his office because Jack was caught bullying. He, and 2 other boys, took the lunchbox out of the backpack of one little boy, opened it up, starting passing out his food, and thew his cupcake at the boy's head! Apparently there was some hitting involved, too. Jack told the principal he "thought it would be funny." It was not. I was mortified. But the principal was really reassuring and said the school handled it. He said, we don't just go to school to learn to read and write. We also go to learn valuable social skills and I really appreciated his stance on that. Because ironically, it's anti bullying month! And Jack was pulled on stage at the Kindness Assembly and was featured on the school's social media pages!!!!!! AND, I received a text from a school mom today praising Jack for being such a good friend to her son. She said Jack defended her son when he was being bullied by some first graders! Jack felt terribly for hurting that little boy and gave him a little "I'm sorry" goodie bag today. I hope this is a one time thing for Jack.... if it had been one of the girls being bullied, I would have completely lost it. But I have a lot of faith in Jack and know he's destined for big things.

In other news, I got a job! I am going to be the kindergarten aide in Ella's class! I'll go to school with the kids everyday, help in the class, and stay until noon. Then hopefully I can pick up Parker and hit the gym/shower before going back to pick up the kids at 3:00. It will be a big change for me but one I think will help our family progress and be a good change all around. And, I'm hiring a house cleaner!!!

I love helping in the kids' classes and hope to continue to do so. They have such awesome teachers and their friends are so cute. They all really love school and that makes me very happy!

We had to document that one time we were all home for dinner!

Church and Activity Days!

A cute note Rayleigh wrote to Tanner while he was on the phone...

I took the kids to Disney after school one day and then got pulled over when we were 3 minutes from home. I was holding up my phone and letting the kids watch Donald Duck because they were getting tired and a little restless. The cop pulled right up next to me at a stop light and saw me holding my phone (not sure why this is against the law) But the kids were so excited and when he came to talk to me, they started firing away all their questions: Have you been to my school? Are you my friend's Dad? Do you have stickers? He took one look at me and said, "My wife is pregnant with our 5th. Mormon's, am I right?" We had an instant bond and after a quick check of my ID and registration, he came back and said, "Ok, Sister Peterson, you're free to go." So, my take away from this whole situation is that we needed to see this sweet young Dad tonight and say a special prayer for him and his family. Bless him for the work he does. Keep him safe. And bless that sweet wife!

We've been working hard on projects for the kids, too. This was one of Jack's. I love it!

Rayleigh's teacher asked the class to go home and do something kind, so she drew this picture for me. This is a picture of her showing it off- roller skates and all.

This girl is always sleepy in the morning...

Day of Awesome at the kids' school was so fun!!! Tons of inflatables and excitment!

Ella feels "Happy"

So, that's lately in a nutshell. We also met up with Parker's teacher and he can graduate next year if he wants to... he's doing extremely well in school and all sound rocking life!