Back to School

The first month of school has come and gone.

As is true of every year, it is so hard to see the summer go, and give up my kids to the school system calendar and schedule. Time is passing by so quickly, and these little people are getting bigger and bigger way too fast. Much too quickly, indeed.

Alex is starting his second year of High School....how crazy is that? He has a driver's permit. He has the ability to be responsible enough to wake himself up every morning....even the three days a week he needs to be at school nearly an hour early. He has a list of Advanced Placement classes on his plate. He has been asked to learn to play baritone for concert band, valve trombone for jazz band, and mellophone for marching band...he is also teaching himself tenor sax. What happened to his trumpet? He is looking at beginning college courses next year. He is planning on going to college in Canada, and becoming a citizen upon graduating. He's got plans. Even if he still doesn't know what he wants to do with his life.

Michael is in his third year of home school. The last year for him, before jumping into High School next Fall. He is getting into some better habits, and working a bit harder on his schooling. He will be starting high school Algebra this week. He is still resisting marching band this winter, though he will not get to choose to not choose it. He has already completed hockey try-outs for the year and is starting regular season practice tonight. He will be playing on a high level hockey team....because the developmental board thinks it will be good for Waconia to get their egos smashed and handed back to them game after game after game. Whatever.

Jonny has started middle school........though reluctant at first, his year looks promising. He is in the odd fifth grade class out, meaning no switching teachers throughout the day. His teacher is new to the school, well-rounded, kind, smart, and untainted by the negative atmosphere. This has left Jonny with a much more positive first year than the other boys had encountered. He has eagerly started playing the saxophone. He is currently finishing his last year of cub scouts. He remains very active in performance arts and youth group at church. He will remain my busy child.

Melissa, Melissa. Excited about the new third grade year. With her best friend by her side, and a lovely young man as her teacher, everyday is party day in the classroom. She is encouraged, becoming more confident, exercising independence, and working hard...allowing helps for her disabilities. She continues horse riding....now entirely independently. She is playing soccer this fall, very enthusiastically, jumping literally for joy when it is her turn to be goalie. Switching to a new and friendlier girl scout troop offers more positive experiences for her.....and I get to once again be Cookie Mom. Singing, singing, at church.....this year alone in a sea of unknown faces..good job, Melissa.....keep up the good work.

Christopher has one word to describe everything in his life...."AWESOME". School is awesome...his teacher is awesome....lunch is awesome...first grade is awesome...being a new cub scout is awesome.....selling popcorn is awesome....he is doing just awesome. His try-out for a special part in the upcoming church play went awesome. Hockey is going to be awesome. I, on the other hand, really miss my awesome little boy, as he is gone to school all day long this year.

My little Laura remains at home. From the pseudo excitement of potentially starting preschool to separation traumas over the summer, my little girl remains at home with me for one more year. MOPS and Sunday school classes (often times twice each Sunday) are plenty for her to get a taste of an organized classroom. The rest she learns at home-school preschool. She is quick on her skates, and eager to try soccer in the spring. Dance classes? Depends on the day you ask whether she wants to start these or not. My little helper, and Tubby's little friend..........she makes me laugh every day.

Tubby is a busy one and a half year old cutie, who couldn't possibly get any more cuter than he already is. Though still short and sweet, he likes to be a big kid...and manages to be quite the monkey boy. Climbing on everything, walking up the stairs, managing his environment to suit his desires, running, and driving cars. Making hockey goals with his "deh", a wicked swing with any stick and ball set he can round up. Balls, sticks, cars, animals, bugs, water, sand , and rocks....Tubby is all boy. Still my baby, yet somehow not, I wish he could slow down with the growing up thing.

....I wish they could all put the growing up thing on hold......indefinitely.