Emma is in 7th grade this year - Columbus middle school! AHH! How did she get that old!? No, how did I get that old!? We have been a few times to familiarize her with the new school and to try out/decorate her locker. I was about ready to cry, thinking she is here already. Dede, the school secretary has been so sweet in helping her out. Emma got some great Harry Potter and other inspirational quotes, temple pics, pictures of family and friends, a Star Wars calendar and pics, pics of Jazzy and Pusheen and dazzled up her locker. As we were there, I had to hold back the tears. Can't believe she's here already. Em is such a sweet girl, I have been praying for months that she will find her place and make good friends.
Callahan is in 4th grade this year. His teacher is Mrs. Haug - our neighbor across the street. We joke with him he better be really good (no throwing water balloons at their house) or she knows where he lives. He misses his old buddies, but will adapt quickly. He loves school and does well. Now lets just hope he slows down this year and takes his time!
Lucy is in 2nd grade this year ("Really?" Daddy questioned). Her teacher is Mrs. Vanek. Luce has been the one most vocal about really not wanting to come here, and she wishes we were back in Scobey. But I'm sure she'll love Mrs. Vanek and make lots of friends. But for now, she's not really liking it. She has said she wants me to homeschool her, and we can look at that. But I'm just going to give her a few weeks.
Coverton is starting Kindergarten (wwwwhhhaaaa!) this year. His teacher is Mrs. Chamberlin. She seems really sweet and Cov is SO excited to go to school like the rest of them. He was ready, but I don't know if I am. I have been excited for everyone else going to kindergarten, but a little unsure about him starting. He knows everything he needs to to start school (and then some) but he seems so young to me. And I will miss my little buddy.
Sydnie is thinking "I get my Mom all to myself all day! Yes!" "Why is it so quiet around here?" "Okay, so maybe having Mom to myself isn't all that great!" We do lots of laundry and cleaning and errands. The first day, we read through all of the packets and signed all the papers, which is no easy task with 4 in school. We read books, sang songs, unpacked more boxes, played in boxes, took 2 naps (Seriously? She never does this!), and went to the park before it was time to pick up the kids.
The morning of the first day of school, my alarm didn't go off, but we made it in time! I packed everyone's lunches (4 now, but really not much prep than just one since they're always having the same thing), made apple waffles, and the kids snarfed them down in a hurry. We took some quick pics on the porch and sent them off with Dave to drop them off. I prayed for them most of the day, I think.
It was a great day at home and when we picked up the kids, Cov came out with a big grin on his face, but he was trying to suppress it, being too cool for school. His teacher told me what a great boy he is and she is so glad he's in her class. Then Lucy came out, she was smiling also, but a little overwhelmed and apparently, the way they do things at this school is not very great, and the music teacher isn't even a professional like the Geottles (lol!), and she got a little confused. But she's got this! More than anyone, she keeps talking about how much she misses Scobey and wishes we could move back, she has no friends (though she always comes home with stories about her new friends) or asks to home school. Cal really likes his new teacher, there's another new boy in his class and he's making friends quickly. When we got over to the middle school, Emma was there talking to another girl outside and this new, cute friend even walked home with us as her. And then the next day, another gal came out and gave her a hug when we were picking her up. Such a relief! Middle school can be challenging, but Emma's a sweet girl and is working hard and making good friends.
For after school snacks, we made rice krispy treat apples. We talked about the day and how it went and checked out all of the paper work, and by all of the paper work I mean all of it. Phew! That was quite the task! That night, we had pork, apples, potatoes and carrots with salad and told Daddy about their first day. One thing I told them that night is that just like apples, tiny seeds grow tall trees. Oh, please be good apples! Work hard, be kind, do your best, be an example and you all will grow into something amazing!
