First week of school

The school year has begun! Violet started kindergarten (she's actually in a K-1 combo class). Isaac started third grade at a new school (he is going to Manchester GATE this year). Audrey started fifth grade (also a combo class, 5/6).



Our routine is a bit different this year than past school years. The girls both start school at 8 a.m., so Isaac and I walk with them to school and back. Isaac's school (less than 3 miles up the road) starts at 9, to which I will drive him most days. Violet gets out of school at 12:40, Audrey at 2:05, and Isaac gets to ride the bus home, which drops him off in front of Robinson at 3:40. Whew! Lots of walking to and from Robinson.



As we have done in past years, when sitting around the table for dinner after our first day of school, we talked about new teachers, new friends, as well as any goals the kids have for the year or for their "future careers". Audrey still thinks she will be a teacher when she grows up, although she has added to the possible options the role of missionary as well as "working with horses". Isaac surprised us by saying he wanted to "do what Daddy does, a physical therapist" at the table. I say surprised me because last week he said he wanted to be a pilot in the army.

Violet was quite tired and getting a bit silly by the time we'd finished dinner and got around to asking her all about her day. When asked what she wanted to do when she grew up, she said, "Get a job." I laughed (but a good answer).
"What do you want to do at your job? Or for your job?"
"Work hard." she replied. I chuckled again (although, another good answer).
"But what kind of job?" I tried once more.
"Like Daddy...a fizzy poo parapis." We all burst into laughter, of course, giving Violet exactly what she wanted from her silly reply. We were, however, done trying to get a "real" answer out of her. Time to get her in bed and ready for the second day of school.



So what did I do all week with no kids in the house between 9 and 12:40? Well, Randy took the day off on Monday to help get everyone to school on time and we enjoyed a morning together, a trip to Panera for coffee and a bagel, and a leisurely stroll through a couple of our favorite stores before picking up the kids. Three mornings I helped in Violet's classroom (getting 30 kindergarteners and first graders used to their schedule can be tough work...one kid screaming and writhing on the floor, another crying in the corner, another hiding/sleeping under the table...wow...not to mention the kids that don't know how to write their name, much less hold a pencil or a pair of scissors), and one morning helping cook for a funeral lunch at church.

I hope to continue using my time to volunteer in the kids' classes and also get a little cooking and canning done during the mornings over the coming weeks.

Lastly, for those of you wondering, our adoption paperwork is done. Our home study is complete. Our file passed on to the family coordinator's desk. We are simply waiting for a call that there is a boy that would be a "good match" for our home. My morning schedule could change yet again any time. Until then, we keep praying that God would continue to prepare us and him for the upcoming changes.