Many Firsts

We've begun our school year with many firsts for our family. This is Victoria's first year in middle school. She loves it, so far. I am so happy that she does. When I went to jr. high, I was so nervous, I was literally sick every day. Today was her first day of orchestra. She will be playing the violin. Orchestra is zero period, which means it's before school at the high school and the kids take shuttle buses to their respective middle schools when it's over. We woke up at 5:45 this morning. Jason takes her to orchestra and then gets to go to work earlier and I still get my workout in and get to see her off in time when they leave at 6:35. It's a win-win situation. (Jason works out at night, so no one misses anything!)

I got to drop her off the first day, but she rode with her friend Bethany the rest of the week .

After school we went back to practice getting to her classes and locker.

 Karissa has a different teacher for 4th grade, Mr. Gold (she had Mr. Anderson for 2 years). She's still at Gallimore, but this is year she gets to go to cheerleading practice after school three days a week. That also means that during football season her piano lessons will be in the morning before school. Tomorrow morning will be her first day for that.

Bag of supplies for her class.

She still takes the bus home. Olivia is on her bus again!

This is Austin's first year in a split class. He's in a second/third split and has the same teacher he had for first grade last year, Mrs. Essenberg! He also gets to go to school a little earlier each day to eat breakfast there, sometimes it's his second breakfast, which is not unusual for him to want. In order for me to get to work on time, I need to start dropping off the kids a little earlier. This was one of the things that worried me about taking a job. The elementary schools start so late I was afraid I wouldn't have enough time to get to my students. It was a blessing to discover that Miller Elementary offers breakfast starting at 8:10 in the morning, until school starts at 8:50. We can leave the house at 8:20 and get him there, not too early, and still take Karissa to Gallimore, where they can't arrive before 8:30, but it's just on my way up to Red Bell. What a wonderful blessing and a relief!

Austin went right in to the cafeteria by himself the first day. I have no ideas what happened to the coloring on this picture. It looked fine when I took it...

Erik started his first day of preschool last week. He's in the Red Room. His teachers, Miss Jen and Miss Carly, have told me every day how good he is doing, another relief! The main reason I took my job was for him to be able to go to school every day in preparation for all-day kindergarten next year. They also serve lunch which he has yet to eat, but he will get there, I hope. At Red Bell, each class sits at the table together. The teachers offer the students each of the choices. For instance today, it was ham, turkey, cheese, rolls, sliced apples, carrots, and milk. They could have it fixed as a sandwich, or separate. They can just have the apples and carrots, or not. Before they eat, the class says grace together. It's a great way to get kids to learn table manners, they are offered a variety of foods, and get to eat with their peers and hopefully eat something because others are trying it. Erik just drinks the milk, so far.

This is Erik at Red Bell the last week of summer when I went to set up. Karissa and he were doing a puzzle with some other kids. 

My first day of officially teaching preschool was that same busy day! I am in the Yellow Room, My students are 2 and 3, but potty trained. They are so sweet! Miss Jamie is my assistant and is great! We had some sad kids last week here and there, but each day got better. It's easier than teaching at-home preschool with my own children and their friends because I have the facilities and supplies all at my finger tips! Planning my "lessons" is easy since they are so young. Contrary to Erik, my students have been eating most of the food options. Some even tried something after they saw Miss Jamie and I eating it. The two times my class crossed paths with Erik's class when we were coming in from the playground and they were going out, he stayed right in his line. He gave me a hug after he got to the playground and could get out of line.

I'm so happy with our busy situation! It's going to be a great year!!