It’s time for Kate to rule the school as an 8th grader. This (hopefully) will bring opportunities she has been waiting for such as playing on the middle school volleyball team. Only 8th graders are allowed to play against other schools in games so Kate wanted to wait until 8th to feel like it was worth the time commitment. I hope they are able to have a volleyball season and that she will make many great memories.
Danny was excited to see friends again but was sad to say goodbye to summertime. The day before 7th grade he finished memorizing all 50 states! All three of my middle schoolers took me up on the offer that if they did so I would pay them $50. I also said they could earn another $50 by memorizing all 50 capitols but no one took me up on that. Maybe next summer?
Our newest middle schooler was so excited she was awake at 6:30am and just waiting to be let out the door for 6th grade orientation. All of her teachers except for advanced language arts and orchestra are teachers her big sister and/or brother have already had. They are liking the fact they have a common last name and separate DNA so the teachers probably won’t even notice they are siblings. It’s like an inside joke on the staff.
I also decided to apply for a couple jobs in the school district. I kept having a pull in that direction and finally went for it. While Hubby and my mom and a friend willing to help with my resume supported me, I was able to progress in entering the work force after over 14 years of being a stay at home mom. The interviews were good experiences that taught me I’m only willing to work outside the home if it is for a community I already adore. So, when my children’s middle school offered me a job that could still allow me to walk Natalie to elementary school, I said yes! Kate is far from thrilled that I’m going to be working at her school, Danny is ok with it, and Michelle is excited. On the first day of work I got to see Michelle while we were waiting for the correct buses for our students and she gave me a big hug on the way to the bike racks. I must admit that even though I am in the special education wing of the school all day, it is nice knowing I am in the same building as most of my children. As for my job, I assist in the autism classroom most of the day and I have been told so far we are in the honeymoon period where everything is pretty relaxed but it will get harder later. I am also able to run home and walk the dog during my lunch. Makes it go by fast!
Natalie was disappointed I won’t be volunteering in her classroom this year (which isn’t allowed with the Delta variant going around) but was thrilled to learn she is going to be having her 1st grade teacher for 3rd grade! Absolutely wonderful! And if that wasn’t enough to do a happy dance about, she is back in the same class with good friends she had in kindergarten. Natalie is also having a great time walking to and from school with three other girls close by (two in 3rd grade and two in 4th grade but entering school doors close to each other). She seems more grown up already just having that small and safe bit of freedom. Here's to a wonderful 3rd grade year for her and middle school for the rest of us. Well, except for Hubby. Hubby will be going to work for the 17th year while also taking over many tasks that I used to do while I was home such as taking sick kids to the doctor. Little did we know he would have to do that the very first week of school. On Friday Michelle woke up with a swollen and gunkie eye so we kept her home and made a doctor's appointment. Good thing we did because it turns out she had strep throat as well. What a tough cookie to not even have a fever or feel sick while fighting those kind of germs off. She was grateful she could get medicine and be approved to go back to school on Monday morning. Michelle doesn't want to miss a single day of school right now. But, at least she knew her parents had done the right thing and she's getting the help her body needs to be fully healthy again.

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