Well - still no printer, but at least the desk top is back and working and ALL the pictures were on the back-up.
All the kids started school on Wednesday.
Sydney is a big 6th grader at Cottonwood Elementary; this will be my last year at that school. She has Mrs. Wagstaff - so now, along with Mrs. Jordan, Mrs. Wagstaff has taught all 4 of my kids that went to Cottonwood. Sydney got a call from the GT office 2 days before school saying that a spot opened up at the GT Magnet program if she wanted it - she didn't, which I completely understand. it's her last year at Elementary and she doesn't want to start something new. That's something she'll have to do next year anyway when she starts 7th grade. I told Sydney that I'd give her $20 if she learned how to solve the Rubik's cube without following the directions. She is so determined. She wrote down all the algorithms and memorized them over the last 3-4 weeks and now she can solve the cube w/out help. She's amazing.
Emma's 8th grade year will be great. She has a bunch of new teachers that I'm not familiar with - but she's in the GT classes which at least guarantees good kids around her. Yesterday she was telling me she was concerned about her math class; she said it was too crowded and not a good learning environment. Today she met with her counselor and switched it for another period - same teacher; just a better group of kids. I'm always so happy to see my kids fix their own problems. It's a life long skill that can't necessarily be taught in a class room.
Charlie had a bit of drama on the first day of classes. He picked out a pencil box with a lock on it. I told him he had to leave the key at home and keep the pencil box unlocked at school. I must have told him that a dozen times - even the morning of the first day of school. Well....as you might predict he accidentally locked his pencil box and when we got to school he couldn't find the key. He cried in the car for 5 minutes begging that I take him home to get the extra key. I told him "no" - tough lesson for an 8 year old to have. He found Max B. and borrowed a pencil and made it through the day. His spanish comprehension is pretty good - he just needs to practice speaking. That's where you can help him :)
Maren only has 3 AP class this year (instead of 4) - she changed her AP American to the standard American History class and I'll think that'll be a better fit for her. She'll have AP Calc, Physics and Art History which will keep her plenty busy. She's going to have a fun Junior year. She gets to go to St. George with the Tennis team next week and then in the Spring she gets to go to SF with the AP Art History Class and Disneyland with the Choir. If the Debate team plans a tournament out of town - she'll get to do that too :) They have a new debate coach though this year, so we'll see. I guess you had an adventurous Jr. Year too because you lived in D.C.
I'm so excited to start digging myself out of all the things that didn't get done over the summer. I'm also going to get our 72 hour kits up to date! However, in the next 4 weeks I've got to finish getting ready for a 100 mile ride that Dad and I are doing up in Coalville. It's taking a lot of time as I need to bike for 6 + hours a week. Today I road up to Snowbird - it was a killer! (entry Level I). Suzanne came with me - it's fun to have a sister that will do things like that.
I promised I'd let you know how Blake's homecoming was. It was great! He was really honest about where his life was before he left on his mission - and in between when he came home. He really had to reach deep to discover his testimony and put all his faith in the Atonement. I think because of those two things he was a very compassionate and powerful missionary. He's working really hard to keep the spirit with him every day - which can be hard in the monotony of every day living. This Sunday we'll go to Mason Graham's homecoming - wow! Didn't he just leave. And, I also noticed that Tanner VanLeeuwan has completed his mission.
