I put my hands up in the air sometimes

Yeah, oh yeah! You know what time it is! It's 'back to school' time! Can I get a whoop-whoop? 

It's 7th, 5th, 3rd and 1st graders this year. Man, talk about tough. I mean, I remember 7th grade. I had a crush on my History teacher Mr. Duffy. No. freaking. way. is this happening to me. And the youngest is in first grade. I thought it was tough sending each kid that first year; now I know that the youngest is the toughest to let go. *sniff* FINE! Leave me to go grow up!!

 

As much as I may complain or kvetch about the insanity that they drive me to, I miss 'em. Not so much the first week or so; more in a couple of weeks. I think I could be okay with a staggered school year where I have two in school and two at home. Not that that scenario exists, I'm just saying I'd be okay with it. 

I also think this is an appropriate time to crow a little about their school. It's wonderful! It's their first experience with an "American style" school. Though what is that anymore? I love the curriculum; it's like the math program was made especially for them. Though a great curriculum is nothing without great teachers to implement it. They all (at least my kid's teachers) want to be there and live for what they do! I love that they say the Pledge of Allegiance every morning at the A.M. assembly. I love that my kids feel comfortable enough, and CAN, run up to their teachers and give them a big hug. I think that touch and contact is a BIG part of any relationship. And I know one bennie that the kids love is the cafeteria hot lunch option. It's not too expensive (which I can't always say for Bahrain) and it helps me out some days.  

So here's to a new school year!  

 (if you can't tell, i'm on a gif kick)

 

Trashy Treasure

A science fair is one of the 'End of the Year' projects we are working on. Well, worked on; Grant is done, the fair is on Thursday. Don't worry, there are still more projects to be had by all the kids. Isn't that just fabulous? Yes, we still have another month of school. Not fluffy school, real school. Sigh. Just keep swimming, just keep swimming.

Stone Soup

Jacqueline's kindergarten class had a Stone Soup Feast for the parents. She was very excited for the whole shindig. They even went shopping at a store for the vegetables and other ingredients.

They made invitations and Jacqueline was tickled pink that she got to deliver them herself. The class made the place cards and place mats for their guests. They also made corn biscuits and butter! Yes, their own butter; shaken in a jar & everything.

The soup was . . . interesting. I couldn't get past the whole "children prepared this" part and politely stirred my soup around and pretend sipped. Bless their little hearts, but I can't account for where their hands have been. It's the Monk-ish part of me.

Solid

The third day of school, there was an elementary open house. We got to meet the teachers, see the classrooms, etc. Eliza is officially in the Middle school, her open house is at the end of this week. Mairyn & Grant both have 'new to the school' teachers. They feel special. In Mairyn's classroom, there were a couple of getting to know you worksheets that the kids had filled out. This was Mairyn's worksheet.

I think it's safe to say that she feels comfortable in the new class.

I'm in a funk. I've been in it before. I've got this road block in my mind. It's time to bulldoze it into oblivion.
Do what you feel in your heart to be right - for you'll be criticized anyway. You'll be damned if you do, and damned if you don't.
~ Eleanor Roosevelt

I've got this quote in plain sight of my desk. I pep myself up with it every day. I'm not going to beat myself up about the pictures I haven't posted. I am not going to let what I "should have done" affect what I am trying to accomplish; which is *anything* at this point. I'm working on gathering all the pictures (and other stuff) from the last 6 months into one place. They've been digitally scattered due to our transient life since March. Yeah, call me a spoiled expat brat for feeling displaced and inconvenienced because of my host country's problems. You wouldn't be the first.

Here is the obligatory "First Day of School" picture. All of them off to the bus at the same time. And they all come bursting in the door at the same time every afternoon. This is a first for me. Give me a few weeks before I start to miss them. It was such a long & hellish summer, we all need a break from each other. And there you have it; my first blog post with both 'damn' and 'hell'. I think I just saw a pig fly past the window.

School starts

One of many missions accomplished; get kids in school. We were able to get the kids back into the school they attended last year when we were here in Idaho. There's a bit of deja vu going on right now.

Except for the location. Their school, Liberty Montessori Academy, went through a name & location change. They got the old courthouse in Rigby. Oh, I love this building. Yes, there is more room for classrooms, great environment to educate our kids, yada yada yada. But this building! The Art Deco style just woos me; and it's on the National Register of Historic places. The next beautiful day, I'm there with my camera. Meanwhile, a storm is a'movin on up; bring on the frostiness. And btw, I am quite pleased with my iPhone camera. I'll take what I can get.

First day of preschool

There just aren't words for this picture. The title says it all. *sniff* Those are bittersweet tears. My baby is growing up & going to school 5 half days a week. But also, my mornings are free 5 days a week. Wa-hoo!

Back to School Feast

First Annual Penrod Back to School Feast


Theme: To Learn with Joy
Jacob 4:3 ". . . our children will receive them with thankful hearts, and look upon them that they may learn with joy and not with sorrow,"

No, this isn't my own original idea. But hey, what really is? I really wanted to do this because we now have 3 of the 4 in school (5th, 3rd & 1st grade). They are in a new school. And all had trepidations about everything; homework being too hard, tests, new stuff, etc. I wanted to start the year off with a "celebration" to celebrate education and learning. Hopefully, this can help kick-start their confidence & banish worries. We are all in this together!


Each child got their own unique crown to wear for the feast. They also got to pick their own menu. Meaning they each had something different for dinner; hence, the feast. Eliza & Jacqueline chose spaghetti & meat sauce. Mairyn chose chicken alfredo. Grant wanted pizza. And they all sampled each others food, too. They also each got a little treasure box with the theme written on a piece of paper inside. They are to put their special boxes in a safe place & look for secret messages from time to time. They can also leave each other messages of encouragement. Hopefully. Grant has been collecting seashells on the playground and putting them in his box.

This is what I get when I ask Jacqui to look at me. And I have only been able to snag the two youngest for their "crown pictures".

I have mixed emotions about this one of Jacqui. I like it, but she looks too grown up. *sigh* Also, I love love love these "picture walls" at my house. Grant is in the foyer & Jacqui out along the front porch wall. Perfect time of day, too.

First day of school

It has been a long time coming. I watched with longing & envy as mothers sent their broods off to school all month. I do like having kids at home. But kids at home during transition, not good. We have, effectively, been living out of suitcases since the first of August. We will continue living on the contents of our luggage until our household goods arrive. From trying to find enough diversion for them in the hotel to convalescing from jet lag in an empty cavern of a house and not being able to play outside, it has been a long month. But no more.



I think this morning was the only time I have ever bounced out of bed at 6:15 a.m. The kids wanted to show their excitement, but they were still 3 hours behind on jet lag. Sleeping through the night, but not getting up at quarter after six. I had to force breakfast on them, then we went outside for pictures & waiting for the bus. It took about 10 minutes for my camera lens to de-fog before we could take any pictures. Then the bus was about 15 minutes late. But that gave the kids some time to meet the other 'bus stoppers' in our neighborhood.

It was a half day and the kids dubbed it a success! They all like their teachers and can't wait for tomorrow. I'll remind them of that in the morning. One thing I am particularly excited about is hot lunch. They haven't ever gone to a school that serves lunch. I don't think it'll be an option for every day, but definitely gives me more options! For example, tomorrow is beef stir fry, rice & mixed veg. I couldn't pick a better lunch!

First Day of School

All I can say is, "IT'S ABOUT FREAKIN' TIME!!!" I have had kids home 24/7 since their last day of school on April 9th. Yes, I know the date. We left Cairo on the 12th.

The kids began at the Jefferson Montessori school at 8:30 am sharp. We were there at 8:25 am. Spencer called at about 7am to say hi to them on the first day of school and wish them luck. I have to say, I had my alarm set for 7am; my mobile rings at 6:55am.

me: "uggghhh hullo?"
Spencer (nice & perky): "Hi hon! How's it going? I wanted to talk to the kids before they left for school."

None of the kids were up yet, but they needed to be anyway. He talked, I woke up, eating and dressing ensued. Then the first day of school pictures. Eliza & Mairyn were pretty compliant. Grant, on the other hand, was VERY excited, to say the least. We got at least one good one.

I dropped them off and Jacqueline wanted to know where her class was! She was very irked until we got back in the car, I offered to turn on Dora and all was right in the universe. Since I don't have a laundry room, or washer & dryer, for that matter, I went down to the local Magic Suds. I commandeered 6 washers for the task. Jacqueline was very helpful and it all seemed to be falling back into place. Helping do the laundry was one of Jacqueline's favorite tasks. But all summer, we were either at a hotel or just throwing in a quick load when we could mooch some time at someone's house we were visiting. It was a very frustrating summer. Anyway, all went well. The kids love their teachers and I love having a bit of a life back.

Grant's last day of school

Wednesday, April 1st was Grant's last day of preschool. This was the last day of Winter term and the new term began the 2nd. So, that's that. Another step toward leaving Egypt.

Grant & his teacher, Ms. Delia

Mr. John, the gatekeeper. He does a great job! Always has a nice "Good Morning, Grant!" for us!

And about an hour after we got home. He was worn out.