School Starts Again

School started earlier than usual this year - and on a Wednesday.

Jemma got to hang with Lucky for a few minutes in the morning before I drove her to the first day of 5th Grade.

First day of 5th Grade (Lucky didn't actually get to go to school)

Later in the afternoon she said that it just felt like another day in the middle of the school year - not a first day.

I'm feeling sentimental because it's Jordan's last year of high school. We've gone all the way from this:

First day of Kindergarten - 2001

To this:

First day of 12th Grade - 2013

The picture above is really quite misleading. Although it pretty much sums up my entire senior year, he's not dragging across the finish line of high school (he just wouldn't pose for a picture). He's getting up early for basketball every morning, taking regular classes, AP classes and concurrent enrollment classes with SLCC, working, doing Crossfit, filling his duties as First Advisor in the Priest's Quorum and maintaining his social life. I'm impressed with him and proud of him.

The Picture I Didn't Take

I wanted to take this picture. I even had my camera with me, but I'm not so sure I could have captured the moment just as it was.

It was a Wednesday afternoon, a little overcast. I dropped Jordan off at a girl's house so they - and some other kids - could shoot a short film for her student government campaign.

He hops out of the car with his slicked back hair, white t-shirt, dark jeans and high tops and walks apprehensively up the front walk, clutching his binder under his arm. The door swings open and the girl - wearing a ribbon in her blond pony tail and a poodle skirt peeks out, then squeals and puts her hand over her smile. He looks down shyly and she gestures with delight at his outfit. He shrugs his shoulders and they go into the house together.

My heart skipped a beat with the thought, that's my little boy.

Changes

It was just summertime, then school started and the Olympics ended and suddenly we're busy as ever and there's a definite nip in the air tonight, showing signs of more change.

Here's Jordan on his first day of seventh grade:

So far so good.

Inspired by Kim Sue and her cute daughter's gift to her teacher on the first day of school, Jemma and I filled this pail with some things for her new kindergarten teacher and presented it to her when we met her today.

The teacher gave Jemma a "Kindergarten Survival Kit," which was cute - a little bag with a starburst candy (because she's a star), an eraser (because it's ok to make mistakes), a penny (to remember she's valuable), a sticker (because their class will stick together) and some smarties (because of all the things they'll learn). The cutest thing about it was how Jemma really took each little thing, and its meaning, to heart.

Five for Friday

1. Jordan got up early this morning to go to Jr. High Orientation. I'm remembering how I love the first few weeks of school when, with renewed ambition, he hops right up with the alarm - dreading the thought of sleeping past it. In about a month it'll probably be back to me shaking him awake and prodding him out of bed....

After the orientation there was a pool party for all the Sevies (7th Graders). I had to be very discreet about getting a photo (for fear of embarrassment). They had a great time and I think most of them are anxiously excited about starting school on Monday.

2. I did it! I made jam! I was at the store and there was a display of Sure-Jell packages and these plastic containers. It was almost like they noticed me! It was a pretty easy process but...we haven't tasted it yet.

3. Yesterday the kids really wanted to go swimming. As we were leaving Jemma wasn't wearing her shoes and I had my arms full of stuff, so I told her to wait by the door while I ran to the car and came right back to carry her. Jordan and his friend had been lagging behind us, but when I turned around to go get Jemma this is what I saw:

Isn't that so sweet?

Photo credit here

4. Chris sometimes teases me about my time-management skills - or lack of. With the kids going back to school soon I need to be more in control of my days, rather than letting the time control me. I have not been very good about focusing on my "word of the year" this year - FOCUS. No matter what I'm doing I'm usually thinking about what else I should be doing. I really must change this, and soon. With their new schedules and my work schedule, more than ever I will need organization and focus for the coming school year. Any advice in this area is welcome.

5. On a more positive note, the menu plan I came up with last week was a success. It was less stress just knowing what was for dinner. And we had some great leftovers for lunches!