Back to school

We got back from our vacation and realized that we had school starting in exactly one week. So after we quickly recovered from vacation we got to work on school shopping and going to meet the teacher night and other preparations.

To celebrate the end of summer vacation we went to Baskin Robbins.

 Playing Headbands Sunday morning before church:

 And Monday everyone woke up bright and early and excited to start school.

 Megan saw the girls with their backpacks and had to get hers on, too.

Rachel started in 3rd grade with Mrs. Chamberlain and Annie is in morning kindergarten with Mrs. Beck.

 They are both happy with their classes. Rachel didn't think she would like advanced math, but her best friend from last year is in advanced math with her, so she gets to be with her every day even though they aren't in the same regular class. She also really likes her advanced math teacher, so it's a win all around. We just got back the results from the testing for ELP (Extended Learning Program) for gifted kids. You have to score at least 97th percentile on at least 1 of 3 sections to qualify as gifted and be invited to participate in ELP. Rachel scored 98 on verbal, 97 on quantitative, and 98 on non-verbal. We're glad she finally gets to participate in ELP. I just wish the school district didn't wait until 3rd grade to start ELP. She starts this week and is looking forward to it.

Annie likes riding the bus, recess, and her teacher, but hates how she gets all sweaty at recess because it's hot and humid these days. She hates homework, but when I remind her how much less homework she has this year than she did last year she remembers and stops complaining. She is happy to have just one easy page each day.

The kids were getting on each others' nerves quite a bit that last week of summer break. It was like a miracle when they went back to school and within 2 days they loved each other again and would play nicely together for extended periods of time all of a sudden. They just needed to be apart from each other a little so they could love each other again.

The day after school started for Rachel and Annie, Ryan started preschool with Ms. Heather, where Annie had attended last year. He was very excited to be at Annie's old preschool.

We've mostly adjusted to the new school year now and are back to our regular routine. Rachel started a Spanish class after school once a week, and we are all learning Spanish at dinner most days now. The kids all know "leche" at least... we'll see how much progress we make. Maybe by the end of the year we can have dinner time be Spanish hour. :)