First Day of School

I have to say, the first day of first grade was actually pretty rough for us.  I had warned Addison that this year she would have to get up earlier because school started at 8:00 instead of 9:15.  Always the dutiful daughter, she got up without complaining, put on the outfit she had carefully laid out the night before, made her bed, did her chores, ate, did her hair, brushed her teeth, and was completely ready to go by 7:30.

The only problem was that the school decided to have a P.M. common day for the first day of school, which meant school started at 9:15.
 
The next hour was filled with so many “Is it time to go yet?”s that I thought we’d try walking to school: an idea everyone was excited about...except Addison. At one point she was so opposed to it she broke down in tears.  I finally caved in and we just waited around until it was time to go.  She was still recovering from her breakdown when we piled into the car, so I was worried that it might taint the rest of her day.



Fortunately, as soon as she saw her friends at school, she got so excited I almost completely forgot it was a rough morning.  The school’s theme this year is, “Be our guest” and teachers were lined up along a red carpet welcoming the students back to school as “Be Our Guest” from Beauty and the Beast played over the sound system.



Her teacher, Mrs. Boles was excited to meet her and while Addison was a little shy at first, she really warmed up once she was sitting at her desk.


P.M. common days end at 3:30 and I think it might have been the longest day of my life.  I kept looking at the clock to see if it was time to get her.  I didn’t realize what an adjustment having Addison gone all day was going to be fore me.  I definitely missed her.  Fortunately, on normal days she’ll get home at 2:15, so I won’t have to wait quite as long.  :)

When Addison got home, she was so excited to tell me all about everything she did (including how she wanted to buy lunch instead of bringing it the next day).  It made all my waiting worth it. 
Addison, I’m so happy you’re so excited about school.  It’s going to be a great year!

Her First Scripture in Primary

Since Hannah is turning four this year, at our church, for Sunday school, she now attends primary.  In primary the kids begin to take part in each week's program.  Every Sunday, children say the prayers, share scriptures, share articles of faith, and give talks in front of the rest of the primary children.  This week Hannah got to participate for the first time.  She shared a scripture.

The theme for Primary this week was, "Jesus Christ taught the gospel, and set an example for us."  The scripture she shared was 3 Nephi 12:48, "Therefore I would that ye should be perfect even as I, or your Father who is in heaven is perfect."

For those of you familiar with the Bible, that probably sounds a lot like Matthew 5:48.  As Latter-day Saints, one of our beliefs is that after the Savior left the people of Jerusalem, and ascended to Heaven he actually visited the Americas and taught the people there his gospel too.  His visit to the ancient Americas is found in the Book of Mormon in 3 Nephi, Chapters 11-18.  In those chapters, he teaches the people of ancient America many of the same things he taught the people of Jerusalem (sometimes verbatim).  So a lot of what is found in those verses is also found in the Bible.

To be honest with you, I debated which verse to have her share. I love the Book of Mormon, but there really is a special place in my heart for the New Testament.  I really gained my testimony for the first time while I was reading it for seminary.  It finally came down to one thing: Hannah's little Book of Mormon.

When Hannah was in nursery, her nursery leaders gave each of the kids a little Book of Mormon.  Now, whenever we read scriptures as a family, she gets so excited and asks if she can "read" too.  (a.k.a. have someone tell her what the scripture says and then repeat it).

When I told her she would be sharing a scripture in primary, her eyes just lit up.  She jumped up and ran to get her little Book of Mormon and wanted me to help her pick out a scripture right then and there.  I couldn't bare the thought of telling her the scripture she was going to share was in a different book of scripture, so 3 Nephi 12:48 it was.  And she did a great job.  She wasn't afraid or nervous at all.  She spoke loudly and clearly, and sat reverently until it was her turn to share.  I was really proud of my little banana.

Now we just need to get her a little bible so she can have a complete set of scriptures for next time.  :)