Back to school

After over three months of summer break, the kids finally went back to school on Tuesday.  They had a particularly long break this summer because we had to take them out of school early in Okinawa and then Washington schools don't go back until after Labor Day.  I think they've all forgotten everything they learned last year.  I'm particularly worried about Emmy - 3 months off school is a looonnngg time when you're five.

So Cannon is starting 8th grade this year at Kopachuck Middle School.  The school is literally at the bottom of our street so he walks every day with the other kids from the street.  The only problem is that our street is a really steep hill so trekking home at the end of the day with a backpack full of books is a bit difficult.  Oh well, builds character.

London starts 3rd grade this year in Mrs. Rosenbach's class.  He tells me after the first day that she speaks German.  How do you know, I ask?  Because she says "gesundheit" after someone sneezes, says London.  Gotta love that kid.

Emmy has been accepted into 1st grade on a provisional basis.  She really should have been 6 by September 1st to be in first grade, but because I home schooled her last year they are giving her a chance in first grade.  Her teacher is Mrs. Conti whom I've heard good things about.  Fingers crossed she adapts well.  She made a friend on the first day, Brooke - they have the same lunch box.

So Tuesday morning left me with a quiet house after shipping all three kids off to school for the first time.  It was a sad day and a happy day so I spent the day very emotional.  As I posted on Facebook when someone asked what I did during the day, "I cried, went to a PTA meeting to see how I could covertly be with my kids in the name of "volunteering", cried, dropped my mom at a hair appointment, sat by the water, cried, picked my mom up from a hair appointment, made jam and then Cannon was home."  Day two went much better, especially after a pampering pedicure.