Back to School

That time of the year has come again, and all of the DC are in school this year! Oldest DD has started Middle School (is that actually possible? Reaching double digits not so very long ago was enough of a shock!) For the first time she has a locker, and she changes classes all day long. I must admit, the schedule they sent home was rather confusing at first - there's something different every marking period due to electives and state requirements. AND they run on a two day schedule - so odd days are different from even days. I took her schedule and wrote out two columns - odd day schedule and even day schedule. She came home the first day of school and said "Mom, I was sooo thankful you did that! So many other kids were walking into the wrong classrooms. I just thought 'I love my Mom!' " We also practiced the really important stuff - like how to open a combination lock - ahead of time. So oldest DD is really busy now - she's playing soccer again, signed up for a volunteer group in school, trying out for the fall musical, attending Jr High Youth group, and still hoping to squeeze in some babysitting jobs.

DS is in his last year of Elementary school. They switch between three teachers to prepare them for next years' class switching. (Now that I have one in the next school - I consider this preparation laughable). DS is also enjoying school. He'll be in orchestra again this year, but decided not to join choir, because he wants more time to study for his tests and get his homework done. (It's statements like this that make me fall out of my chair and think 'Maybe I am doing something right!') He enjoyed soccer so much last spring that he's signed up again this season. He's also involved in the Jr High Youth group at church. And currently he's deciding whether or not to continue with scouts.

Middle DD is in 2nd grade. She has a great teacher this year who is full of enthusiasm and is working to get (and keep) her class organized. DD is actually able to do most of her homework by herself now (isn't reading wonderful!?!), I just have to nudge her into starting. DD reluctantly agreed to do soccer again this season. Turns out that her new coach is great at keeping things fun and DD is really enjoying it this time around. Besides soccer DD keeps herself busy playing with her friends in the neighborhood and crafting whenever she gets a chance.

Youngest DD got to join her older sister on the bus this year as she headed off to Pre-K! She was so excited! I was a little worried that she might get clingy or scared and not get on the bus - not at all. She climbed right on there, bounced down in the seat and started waving with a huge grin on her face. She's made a new friend who lives in the neighborhood and the two have become inseparable in school. The first Saturday after school started, she came downstairs, dress in hand "Mommy, can I wear this to school?" "Sure, you can wear it on Monday." "But I want to go to school today!" and she started crying inconsolably. Four kids - and this is the first time one of them ever wanted to go to school on the weekend!