Back to School

We are almost to the finish line of the first full week of school - plus two days last week. The house is so quiet during the day and I love it. We are all so tired by 8pm and I love that less. We're slowly but surely building back our school routine muscles. 

Not only are we figuring out a new bus stop dynamic and a new house morning routine (fact: they all have their own rooms and we no longer listen to a fight every day about getting into the one bedroom for a pair of socks. It's bliss), but the school also completely shifted their schedule. They don't start until 9:00, which means the bus picks up at 8:45 and doesn't drop off until 4pm. We, unfortunately, have quite a bit of money in our flex childcare account, so are doing a hybrid schedule of after school care and bus. When our money is used up, I suspect we will be done with after care. It feels unnecessary to pay almost $40 per day for an hour or less of care. Especially since we'll be done next school year anyway.

Why, you ask? Because this is the last year they are all in the same school until Fiona is a high school senior. Let that one sink in. It hurts a little! [The middle school is also on a wildly different time schedule than the elementary school and it will be a hot mess next year. But we are just going to pack that one away to deal with later ...]

So far, reports from school are quite positive. We'd never had a repeat teacher before and this year, we have two. Dec is in Mr. P's second grade class. Q loved Mr. P and was so disappointed when covid canceled the end of her year with him - and more specifically, track and field day. We are all hopeful (including Mr. P) that this is the year a small V helps bring that tug of war championship back to his class. [Random fact: both girls are still pictured in the Tug of War Championship display case from the last track and field day. When Fiona was in 2nd grade and Q was in 1st!]

Quinn has Fiona's 4th grade teacher from last year and will do very well in her class. We told Mrs. M at Meet the Teacher to definitely not expect them to be the same person. Or to have the same personality. Mrs. M loved Fiona and is delighted to have another V in her class. Mike and I feel fairly prepared to handle 4th grade!

Fiona has a brand new (to the school) teacher. She seems just lovely and F really likes her. I am told almost daily that 5th grade is exhausting. She is excited that they are doing a classroom swap with another teacher for science and social studies, so will all get a taste of what switching teachers will be like next year in middle school. 

Masks are currently required on the bus and at school. No one has uttered a word of complaint. They are delighted to be back with their friends. They enjoy the new bus and all the friends on it (although I hear there is a lot of noise and energy!). We are all hopeful for a great school year. Mike and I are going to enjoy every minute we have left of same location and same schedule!

First day of 5th Grade

First day of 4th Grade

First day of 2nd Grade