Back to School

It is the last week, actually the last 4 days of summer vacation. It has been a good summer, full of sleepovers, a trip to Grandma's house, a visit from the other set of Grandparents, lazy days and family time. I have mixed feelings about this new school year.

There is a lot of change for us this year. Peter was transferred to a new elementary school after 10 years at Parker. That means that Shaylee is also transferring. It also means that I am transferring PTA's. I was solidly entrenched in the PTA program at Parker. I was even signed up to be the 2nd VP for the 2nd year in a row. Now I don't know what will happen with a new PTA program.

Shaylee is starting 4th grade this year. This is the first year that she will rotate between 3 classes for her courses. That is a big change from sitting in the same classroom all day. That can be tough, but I'm sure she will be able to handle it!

I have hopes for Shaylee. I hope that this is a good change for her. I hope that she makes lots of new friends and feels comfortable in her new place. I hope that she learns that it is easier to get her work done the first time. I hope that she grows into her true self and gains a good sense of her worth. I hope that she shines as an example of her faith and holds true to her standards. I hope that she remembers every day that she is a child of God and that He loves her. I hope that she remembers every day that she is a child of mine and that I love her. I hope that she is happy.

Kevin is starting 7th grade and Jr. High this year. I am feeling the "first day of Kindergarten" anxiety. I never had that when he actually started Kindergarten. He spent all of his Elementary years at the same school as his dad. The school that he grew up from age 2 running the halls of and thinking he owned! I knew that his dad was never far if there was a problem.

Now my baby is going into the big, bad world of Jr. High School. He will be in the Orchestra playing his violin. He is a natural, but needs to be reminded that he sill needs to practice. Every day. He will also be starting in band this year. He auditioned for 3 different instruments: flute, trumpet, and percussion. He qualified for flute and percussion. Of course he chose percussion. No one wants to be the boy in Jr. High who plays the flute! Percussion is a pretty big accomplishment. They only pick the kids who they know have the talent and will excel for percussion. I am proud of him.

I have hopes for Kevin. I hope that this is a good change for him. I hope that he makes a lot of friends. I hope that he remembers that he doesn't need to be right all the time and the boss of everything just because he know (or thinks) he's right. I hope that he excels in band and orchestra. I hope that he is able to handle to juggling of 7-8 classes every day. I hope that he grows into his true self and gains a sense of his own self worth regardless of what anyone else might say or do. I hope that he is a shining example of his faith to those around him and that he holds the image of Christ in his countenance. I hope that he makes good choices an is an example of Christ in his daily life. I hope that he always remembers that he is a child of God and that He loves him. I hope that he always remembers that he is a child of mine and that I love him. I hope that he is happy.

It's not too much to ask, is it. My hopes for my children this school year have been laid bare. I hope that they all come to pass. Her is to a wonderful and successful new school year!