a big day

Today was the day -- Max's first day of junior high. I am so glad they have the 7th graders come a day early. They had a welcome assembly, student council members were on hand to give directions to lost-looking students, they went to all 8 of their classes and met their teachers, and then they had games and popsicles outside. All with the added benefit of having fewer students in the halls and none of those intimidating upper-classmen.

Tomorrow the 7th graders get the day off and then they return on Wednesday to the full jr. high experience. Max had a great day. He didn't seem to have much difficulty getting up and ready to leave by 7:30 -- I hope that lasts. Between the two elementary schools he has attended and ward members, he said he knew several people in each of his classes. He didn't have any locker troubles (anyone else ever have nightmares about being in school and not being able to open your locker?). He genuinely seemed to enjoy his first day. Hooray!

It seems strange that my big 7th grader has a 2-year old sister. (Who missed him very much while he was away at school and kept saying, "Max is coming right back!".)

Marc gave the boys their traditional father's blessings last night. I love the way he seems to says the very things I have weighing on my mind in his blessings. I love the way the boys look relieved and comforted afterwards -- I am sure it reduces their nervousness about starting the new school year.

After Max and Lucas had their blessings, Eva hopped into their spot and said, "it's my turn, Daddy!". So Marc gave her a little blessing, too. She actually kept her arms folded and eyes closed throughout. It was the sweetest thing.

Lucas was mighty bored today with Max gone. I think it helped him to be ready to go to school tomorrow! We made cookies for Max, we dug out his old piano books and practiced, and we went to meet his new teacher. (I don't know what I was thinking when I didn't take a photo of them together!)

Marc's parents came over to take us out to dinner. The kids are always thrilled to see Grandma & Grandpa, but Eva was in heaven. When she was finished eating, she sat on Grandma's lap and got her back tickled. (oh, I have such sweet memories of doing the same thing with my grandma!)

Even better, she was able to commandeer Grandma in her bedroom for some playtime, and talk with Grandma on the phone, even though they were right next to each other!

Look what a sweet treat awaited me in the mailbox tonight! Jessie sent me some Heidi Swapp gigundo photo corners, pink polka dot brads, Special Handling stickers, a very fun assortment of ribbon, and, most exciting of all... a circle journal!! We talked before she left about making circle journals to send back and forth to each other, but of course I kind of forgot about it, and Jessie managed to already make the cutest one and write in it and send it to me. So fun! Now I have to get on the ball...

it's really happening!

Apparently, Max really is starting junior high in just 4 short days! We went to the school yesterday to pay the school fees ($107, for the privilege of attending a public school!).

He got his locker assignment, and we spent some time figuring out how to open it. I couldn't remember how to open a locker -- how's that for feeling old?

We were laughing over trying to open the locker! When he finally did it, there was a note in there congratulating him.

but at least we weren't the only ones!

she just had to try it out too.

Eva had a blast running around the junior high. If I had let her, she would have gone up and down the big staircases all day. (As is my way now, I was watching her wistfully, wondering what it would be like to go up and down stairs pain-free. It's my constant refrain, but if you have fully-functioning knees, please take a moment to appreciate them!)

Max finding one of his classrooms on the map.

this sign warmed my heart a little bit

At least this time I didn't feel the total panic I did upon entering the school that past couple of times. This time, I felt excited for all of the new things that Max will experience this year.

This picture just says so much. The inexperience, the innocence, the caution, the hesitancy of not knowing what he will find...

I wonder what these halls will look like when all of the students are there at the same time!

Max seemed kind of excited about his new school, and his little sister was there to provide adoration at every step of the way.

I hope so much that this will be a good year for him!

crazy day

Thursday was just a crazy day.

We started with Max's cello lesson in the morning (he's still working on positioning the instrument and his hands correctly -- this week he is also practicing plucking).


Then we went to the junior high to re-register Max, since they withdrew my boys completely from the district when I pulled them out early to go to Paris. Fortunately, he was able to get all of the classes he originally registered for. Just being there and walking around in the junior high was freaking me out big time. He's going to have a locker! And many different teachers! He's going to be in the orchestra and learning French! The cafeteria looks almost like a food court! There were some pretty rough-looking boys skulking about! I don't know about him, but I know I am definitely not ready for this.

We came home to grab a bite to eat, then headed to the doctor's office. Max hurt his foot somehow when he went to Seven Peaks with Jill on Monday. Since he was still limping, I thought we had better it get checked out, especially since he is supposed to go on a 4-day Scout camping trip next week!


The doctor sent us over to the hospital to get an x-ray. It was way past Eva's naptime at this point, and she was going to great lengths to keep herself awake (it's one of her special talents). To this end, she was climbing up and down on all the chairs in the waiting room, a well as spinning in circles and running around, bent over, flapping her arms and saying, "I'm a bird! I'm a bird!" Riiiight.

It turns out that Max did not break his foot again. They think it's either a sprain or a tear in the ligament that wraps around to the underside of the foot. In any case, he's got it wrapped in an Ace bandage and is limping around. It's not looking too good for the big hike next week.


After coming home and putting Eva down for a nap, I went to the elementary school to re-register Lucas. (thank goodness for being able to leave her at home with the boys!)

When I got back home, I made spinach dip to take to book club and helped Max to get ready to attend a Court of Honor at Scouts. I could not have been happier to leave for book club!

We had our usual great evening of re-connecting, eating, laughing, and generally catching up. (We didn't actually discuss a book this time, so I guess it was more like chat club, but whatever.) And I was ever so excited that Collette made us these Christmas planning books!


I have been thinking ever since last December that I need to make detailed plans to make this Christmas a good one. Basically, I want it to be the exact opposite of Christmas season 2006, which was stressful, exhausting, and no fun at all. Now I can get started on the planning! Be sure to send any great ideas my way.

Thankfully, Friday was much more laid-back. We did a couple of errands in the morning, then hung out at home the rest of the day (whew!). Whitney was still feeling sick, so we had to forego Creative Friday. Landon came over to save the day by playing with Lucas, who I think would have had a little breakdown if we had to call the whole thing off!


I read for awhile and had a little nap when Eva was napping. The only productive thing I did all day was clean off my dresser -- but it was quite a project! The pleasing results:


We ended with popsicles and a bath.


When all the kids were in bed, Marc and I sprawled out and watched TV, me with my ice packs, as usual. (My mom says that would be torture for her, but for me it's the best part of every day!)