Hello? Is this thing on? Now that I have all this free time you would think I would pay more attention to you, internet, but I've been ignoring you. I'm jerky that way. So. We're all still alive here in our little corner of the world. Everybody's been adjusting to their new schedules pretty well. Jack is, anyway. He slipped into his school suit like he had just been wearing it yesterday, leaving important notes in the bottom of his backpack, spending the afternoons
fiddling with his ipod doing his homework, and generally being pretty cheerful (you know, for a teenager). This year he is taking a math class over in the high school. With high school students. Some of them are even old enough to vote and buy cigarettes. Not that I've thought about that or anything. He's also begun selling eggs to neighbors and whatnot, but he doesn't have a big customer base yet, so this weekend he's going to try pimping out his cute sisters and sending them around town with a wagon full of eggs. He's promised them riches beyond their wildest dreams, or enough money to buy a Polly Pocket if they sell all the eggs.
Henry is happy with his teacher this year, plus he has buddies in his class. He spends most of his afternoons reading as kind of a defense against the onslaught of stimulation that being in a class with 28 kids all day brings. He even had hot lunch once, but there was bacon, and I think bacon is the only thing that could get him to eat school food. I went and ate lunch with him this week. I noticed he set his lunch box right in front of his face so he couldn't see across the table. Then, a bunch of third grade boys began slurping bbq sauce off their trays with straws. "Now you know why I eat with my lunch box in front of my face", he explained.
Grace is adjusting as well as Jack. She's making friends, happy, and excited to go to school. Last night we had an Open House/Ice Cream Social to meet their teachers and she was ticked off at me because I wouldn't let her bring an extra pair of shoes to change into. "I have to wear my fancy jewelled shoes because they go with my jewel dress, but I might want to play on the playground, so I'll need to bring my mary janes so I can run." Seriously. Those words left her mouth. I don't know where she gets it.
Olivia is having a bit of a hard time. Wearing shoes and clothes all day and also being nice is taking a toll. By the time we've driven the two miles home, she's ripped her ponytail out and taken her shoes. She's usually in her pjs before the others have even unpacked their backpacks. It's funny, because she's the boss around here, generally always gets her way because everyone is afraid of her (except me), but at school she is the opposite. Very shy and reserved, and relies heavily on Grace to navigate the social waters for her. Unlike Henry, they love hot lunch AND riding the bus.
I too, am slowly starting to adjust. I spend most of last week pretty wrecked, and am slightly ashamed to say I took the dog for lots of walks on the trail that goes past the playground so I could spy. Mostly, I miss their noise. I'm keeping busy, though, getting closets organized and getting rid of stuff. Blahblahblah. Whatever.
Seamus-the-long-suffering-dog has it the worst, though. Not only does he miss the kids and whines at the window all day, we've decided to let the kittens come live in the house. They got spayed/neutered and their shots, and now they're inside telling him what's what. It's just a trial period, though. One pee or poop inside or one paw on my kitchen counter and it's back to the garage...No, I'm serious. Really. I'm tough. You don't want to mess with me, even if you do have dumb kitten faces.
I was never one to go for ostentatious accoutrements when it comes to home decorating. Once, while driving through a little town near the Grand Coulee dam, I saw a trailer that had some giant stone lions such as these outside the front door. I giggled about it all day. I couldn't tell if it was ironic or sincere, but I didn't really want to know, either.
First day picture, and I even had my act together enough to get Jack in on the photo this year, despite the ungodly hour he leaves for school. They picked out their own clothes, and I was shocked to see Olivia come down the stairs in a skirt. Since she's basically spent the last three months in underwear and a tank top (or shorts on special occasions), I almost didn't recognize her. I wept when I walked into their room (that I had just helped them clean yesterday), however. I think Grace tried on every outfit she's owned since we moved in here, and tossed it on the floor. You may notice that Olivia isn't wearing shoes in this picture. I'm not sure how the teacher is going to get her to keep her shoes on during the day. I don't know how I gave birth to a child who hates shoes. Jack installed his contact lenses in record time, and the morning went rather smoothly, despite my last minute flurry of internet shopping to calm my nerves (free shipping at l'occitane!).
Mitch got Henry settled in his portable classroom while I helped the girls. His report: four boys have pierced ears in his class, and he really liked his teacher.
Olivia did not approve the picture I took of her sitting at her desk, but here's Grace, who never turns down a chance to be in the spotlight. The girls are in the same class, but are seated boy-girl, which pleases Grace. Olivia could care less who she sits by, as long as they don't touch her or her stuff.
