Exhausting!
But all members of the family made it and on time to boot.
The younger two had good days and things seem good there. One had homework but it was completed really quickly. In some ways, it's like they hadn't even left school. They seem to like their teachers and have their circle of friends so thank goodness they can settle in easily.
The oldest had the first day, met a lot of people and in general, seemed to be just fine. I did not hold her hand to walk her to class. I did take a picture with her teacher though. We got to school at the same time so we did a quick picture and that was that. I managed to check in with her twice which was sweet. The first check in was all systems go. The second check in was on her way to the one class where she didn't know anyone at all.
We all made it through the day virtually unscathed. Except for my feet of course. Going back to work means wearing shoes all day. That's always the absolute worst part. Have I already mentioned that? I seem to be saying it a lot this week!
Thursday, August 16, 2012
Wednesday, August 15, 2012
First day of high school
Yup, today is the big day. My oldest girl starts high school.
This is a huge occasion for us. She has been in one school system for the last nine years and tomorrow she dives into a whole new world. She goes from a graduating class of 26 or so kids into a class of more than 300 students. I guesstimate that out of all those kids she will know about 10.
Wow.
She promised me when she was just a little girl that on the first day of school I would get to walk her to her first class, holding her hand the entire time. Little does she know that I do plan to hold her to that. I'll just manage to do it early enough in the morning that no one else will see. Her homeroom will be right around the corner from me. Her homeroom teacher has known her since she was just 3 years old.
It will be the best of times.
It will be the worst of times.
Pretty much every dance she goes to in high school, her mama will chaperone (hey, it goes with my job).
Her homeroom and locker will be around the corner from me for four years.
She looks enough like me that she is not going to be able to deny we are related.
Doomed?
I hope she doesn't feel that way. She's joining into my other family. The one I have belonged to since I was in high school. She might have a harder time keeping secrets from me (which I know is a disadvantage when you are a teen) but she'll have people in her corner like no other--teachers and counselors working to make sure she fits in, enjoys, and does well in high school. She is extra blessed that besides my immediate co-workers on my side of the building there are some very special people in another department; people who worked with my sister when she taught at our school too.
I know that tomorrow will be full of worries for her: Who will she have lunch with? Will she make friends in her classes? Can these new friends be trusted? Where will she sit? Can she handle the work? Will she be all alone?
She won't be alone. She'll have extra eyes watching over her (not in a creepy way!) and she will find that the new world of high school will be a whirlwind of fun.
And she will always know that when the day is just too much to bear, mama is just around the corner.
This is a huge occasion for us. She has been in one school system for the last nine years and tomorrow she dives into a whole new world. She goes from a graduating class of 26 or so kids into a class of more than 300 students. I guesstimate that out of all those kids she will know about 10.
Wow.
She promised me when she was just a little girl that on the first day of school I would get to walk her to her first class, holding her hand the entire time. Little does she know that I do plan to hold her to that. I'll just manage to do it early enough in the morning that no one else will see. Her homeroom will be right around the corner from me. Her homeroom teacher has known her since she was just 3 years old.
It will be the best of times.
It will be the worst of times.
Pretty much every dance she goes to in high school, her mama will chaperone (hey, it goes with my job).
Her homeroom and locker will be around the corner from me for four years.
She looks enough like me that she is not going to be able to deny we are related.
Doomed?
I hope she doesn't feel that way. She's joining into my other family. The one I have belonged to since I was in high school. She might have a harder time keeping secrets from me (which I know is a disadvantage when you are a teen) but she'll have people in her corner like no other--teachers and counselors working to make sure she fits in, enjoys, and does well in high school. She is extra blessed that besides my immediate co-workers on my side of the building there are some very special people in another department; people who worked with my sister when she taught at our school too.
I know that tomorrow will be full of worries for her: Who will she have lunch with? Will she make friends in her classes? Can these new friends be trusted? Where will she sit? Can she handle the work? Will she be all alone?
She won't be alone. She'll have extra eyes watching over her (not in a creepy way!) and she will find that the new world of high school will be a whirlwind of fun.
And she will always know that when the day is just too much to bear, mama is just around the corner.
Tuesday, August 14, 2012
A Whole New World!
Today is the first day of school for the younger two children. And for the first time they are going off to school without their older sister. Today the middle sister becomes the "older" sister in the school. No longer will they have their big sister to answer all their questions and calm their fears. No, those days are over.
Their school has two campuses. And this year they will each be on their own campus with no older sister around. Scary in a way. But fun too. Hard to believe they have gotten so big all at once. I have to admit that I liked having them all at the same school even when they were split across different campuses.
In some ways it is an exciting day for them. They get a chance to spread their wings on their own. Bet they'll miss their bossy older sister though.
Their school has two campuses. And this year they will each be on their own campus with no older sister around. Scary in a way. But fun too. Hard to believe they have gotten so big all at once. I have to admit that I liked having them all at the same school even when they were split across different campuses.
In some ways it is an exciting day for them. They get a chance to spread their wings on their own. Bet they'll miss their bossy older sister though.
Monday, August 13, 2012
Back to the grind. . .the rat race. . .the paycheck and insurance
Always a jumble of emotions when this time of year rolls around. On the one hand, it's time for the family togetherness to end. But does it have to end so abruptly?
Yes. Of course it does.
So we set the alarms for the insanely early wakeup call and waltz into the next school year.
This year the children's activities will likely include:
Piano lessons (times 3???)
Voice lessons
Clarinet lessons
Soccer
Spell Bowl and Math Bowl
Speech team (middle school and high school)
Drama (fall and spring)
Choir
Oh it's going to be a busy busy year.
Time flies when you are having fun!
Yes. Of course it does.
So we set the alarms for the insanely early wakeup call and waltz into the next school year.
This year the children's activities will likely include:
Piano lessons (times 3???)
Voice lessons
Clarinet lessons
Soccer
Spell Bowl and Math Bowl
Speech team (middle school and high school)
Drama (fall and spring)
Choir
Oh it's going to be a busy busy year.
Time flies when you are having fun!
Saturday, August 11, 2012
As summer is ending. . . .
A nice peaceful look back at summer with some Percy Faith. I know a few of the words to this one but the link I have selected is for the instrumental only because I like this one very much. . .love the brass conversation with the strings. Enjoy.
Friday, August 10, 2012
Two serious thoughts for today: Marvin Hamlisch and Family day
Completely unrelated thoughts. Or maybe not since Marvin Hamlisch was a huge part of my family life growing up.
Mr. Hamlisch died this week at the very young age of 68. A compose, a musician, a legend in the musical world. He will be missed. A very nice tribute to the man and his music is given in this piece from the LA Times Five Distinctive Sounds of Marvin Hamlisch: A Video Gallery
And today is Family Day--a bittersweet day.
The one that has to come along at some point.
The last regular weekday of summer.
Because next week the rat race begins again.
I hope and pray that as we spend the last Friday of summer vacation hanging out as a family we will find a way to be happy, gracious and kind with each other. We all have our own worries about starting back into the school routine. May we remember the fun we have had and end our summer on a happy note of togetherness!
Mr. Hamlisch died this week at the very young age of 68. A compose, a musician, a legend in the musical world. He will be missed. A very nice tribute to the man and his music is given in this piece from the LA Times Five Distinctive Sounds of Marvin Hamlisch: A Video Gallery
And today is Family Day--a bittersweet day.
The one that has to come along at some point.
The last regular weekday of summer.
Because next week the rat race begins again.
I hope and pray that as we spend the last Friday of summer vacation hanging out as a family we will find a way to be happy, gracious and kind with each other. We all have our own worries about starting back into the school routine. May we remember the fun we have had and end our summer on a happy note of togetherness!
Thursday, August 9, 2012
My girls are so lucky
I hope that they realize it.
My parents have the ability, the time and the desire to take little trips to the lake with us. They could go without us. But they allow us to go.
And on our most recent trip, my dad took along swim trunks so that he could get in the pool with the girls. They loved it. They told me that he is "the most fun in the pool." This of course means that I stink because I prefer to sit on the side and watch them while I sun and read at the pool. Their daddy gets in with him but he does not do cannonballs with them. He doesn't let them hang onto him while he swims under water.
But my dad does. Bless his heart.
The real display of love for the grandkids came from my parents the morning that they snuck out early to get my mom a swimsuit so she could get in the pool too. My mom hates the water. My mom hates the heat. My mom isn't even supposed to spend much time in the sun. But she wanted to be part of it. So off they went.
We have photos to document the memories for the girls. Strict promises have been made to not share these photos with everyone--and I won't. But I wanted my girls to have photographic proof of the day their grandparents got in the pool with them.
That's good stuff.
My parents have the ability, the time and the desire to take little trips to the lake with us. They could go without us. But they allow us to go.
And on our most recent trip, my dad took along swim trunks so that he could get in the pool with the girls. They loved it. They told me that he is "the most fun in the pool." This of course means that I stink because I prefer to sit on the side and watch them while I sun and read at the pool. Their daddy gets in with him but he does not do cannonballs with them. He doesn't let them hang onto him while he swims under water.
But my dad does. Bless his heart.
The real display of love for the grandkids came from my parents the morning that they snuck out early to get my mom a swimsuit so she could get in the pool too. My mom hates the water. My mom hates the heat. My mom isn't even supposed to spend much time in the sun. But she wanted to be part of it. So off they went.
We have photos to document the memories for the girls. Strict promises have been made to not share these photos with everyone--and I won't. But I wanted my girls to have photographic proof of the day their grandparents got in the pool with them.
That's good stuff.
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