First Day of School!

Well, they're back! JC was thrilled to be in middle school, a little nervous I think (mom too). His big changes for the year include a locker, band, and his favorite...ala carte lunch! I think it is going to cost me a fortune to feed him. But, he did okay on day one. He loves changing for all of his classes, and one of his good friends from last year is in all but one of his classes. He still got to see his best friend during lunch so that was a bonus. He is on a different team so we thought he had a different lunch. They are really big on getting the kids organized and yesterday he mainly worked on organizing his binder and getting their schedule for the week laid out. The middle school runs on a modified block schedule and on Wednesday and Thursday they alternate and only have half of their classes each day, but for longer stretches of time. This allows the classes to do labs and take hikes out to the nature preserve the district oversees. Also more time for swimming in gym class and more involved art lessons. I taught this way for a long time and it really has its advantages.

JM came home already wanting a playdate. He didn't get home until 4:15, so that was a no-go. I am hoping to get him home closer to 4:00 as the week progresses and they work out the dismissal glitches. In third grade he will change classes with one other teacher. He has her for reading, language arts, and writing. His homeroom teacher teaches science, math, and social studies. I think it will be a good experience. When JC was in third grade they only changed classes for math. It's always changing. JM got the same teacher that JC had in third grade and is thrilled with that. He already came home though with some girls phone number!?! Sigh!

Off to take advantage of a quiet house to get some work done!

Two More Days of Summer Break!

I am excited and bummed all at the same time! I feel like there were a few more things we could have squeezed in, but we did do a lot this summer. The boys are getting bored and I think need the time away from each other...this house gets small at the end of a long summer.

We had a great summer at Cedar Point, JM hit the 54" mark and now can ride everything in the park, so that makes our visits even more fun since we can now stay together all day. JC did 6 weeks of fitness camp and worked really hard at it. I think he is stronger and can run much better as a result. It is getting so if you don't get your kids some outside sports training outside of the season, they fall behind others. Gets pretty pricey though.

JC is so excited for middle school. He had orientation and nailed his locker combination immediately. He is thrilled with the freedom he will have, the locker, and changing classes. JM got the teacher he wanted, although she will be leaving for maternity leave in December and that always causes some anxious moments. I was pregnant with JC when I was teaching so I know how it works, and I also know that the sub has to be really good to take over and do things the same way as the teacher does. Our building has permanent subs and they usually are the ones who take these long term positions, so they are very familiar with school policy and such. He had a maternity leave sub in first grade and managed well. Third grade is a lot of work at our school, so he is in for a tough year!

Bring it on!