Week Two

As predicted, this week is taking prisoners!

The tournament went well and the weather was beautiful. The 8 AM games were a blessing. The moms were actually cold! Who would think that a mid-August soccer game would require a sweater? The team did not place, but it was the first chance they have had to play together as a team and I was pleasantly surprised. I think we have potential. Only 5 team members from last year's roster returned. (That is another story and I won't bore you with the saga.) One highlight of the weekend was that EJ scored first for the season and it was the only goal for our team for the entire weekend!

I have had something every night this week after work. Monday night was for fun! It was Soccer Mom night and we made quite an event out of it. Chloe called me before she went to bed and I could tell she was a little upset. Turns out I think she was just worried because she wasn't sure exactly where I was. She thought the place we had met at had closed for the evening and she didn't understand why I wasn't home. She very kindly asked last night if I could please call in the future. "Since you make us call you, could you do the same?" was how the request was phrased. Humbling and touching all at the same time. She's such a sweetie! (I think I'll keep her.)

Chloe is thoroughly enjoying her history class with her singing teacher. She went to the school website and was able to play the first song she told me about. I haven't reached the technical level to be able to add the song link or audio, yet! But I can tell the songs are a very effective teaching tool. Chloe is remembering facts and details.

Tonight is Curriculum Night. Chloe told me the only teachers I need to go see are her History and Anatomy teachers. EJ, of course, would prefer I didn't go at all.

The first football game is tomorrow. I don't know if the band will march or just play in the stands but I'm looking forward to the event. It is the other side of my social life!

First Week Down

We have all survived the first week of school. Well, the high school students have survived the first week of school!

Kate still has one more week of vacation left; and it sounds like she is finally getting in the rest and relaxation part of the break. She went right to work at the Brenau library as soon as school ended and from there she went to full-time nanny. She had one week at the beach, which was GREAT for all of us, with a few extra days and then back to work.

Chloe and EJ have different versions of the week. Not surprising. Chloe is having the best time with two of her teachers. She thinks her Anatomy teacher "rocks". Her AP History teacher sings his lessons and she has mentioned two songs this week. Personally, I cringed when she told me that about him but she says he has a nice voice. It's a great way to remember the lesson content. He sings it once and then has them sing it back to him; even the "cool kids" have to sing. :-)

EJ is frantically trying to finish his summer reading assignment. For such a bright child, it is still amazing to me that he continues to put this off every year. He has always had to do it and has repeatedly ended up completing the entire assignment in a matter of days or hours. If he would just do a little bit throughout the summer, as intended, it would be so much more manageable. But hey. I'm just the mom. What do I know? Soccer camp has been interesting. Some of those boys are really out of shape. This weekend's tournament will be interesting.

EJ and I will be in Athens, GA, most of the weekend. Chloe is going to babysit Saturday for Callie and Bryce so Caren can go to a 3-Day fundraiser. I'm afraid I'm going to melt watching the games. Maybe those 8 AM games will be a blessing in disguise? But these games are a BIG part of my social life, so I'll have fun with the other parents and I like to watch the boys play so it will be fine.

Ups and Downs

Errands and extra-curricular activities with my children that require car rides have become a favorite activity for me. I know that sounds twisted, but I hear and learn so much during those trips! Yesterday I learned which teachers are pregnant and which ones are getting divorced. Who has a great sense of humor and who could use one. Which classes look to be a lot of fun and the ones we are all dreading because of the projected work load. I learned who this year's lunch buddies will be and possible study partners! I heard about soccer camp (EJ was made co-captain) and band. It was great!

I didn't get my picture this morning. Chloe did allow me to get a shot or two, but EJ was running behind (shocking, I know) and so I don't have a picture of the two of them heading off to school. Kind of a bummer.

EJ and I started our morning in the Guidance Office at school. He is really on top of working on his application packet and getting what he needs taken care of. But it is very frustrating when the administrators and teachers will not respond or do as they have promised. I went in with him this morning with the mission of staying until someone talked to us and we had some answers. To a degree, it was a success. Not all our issues were handled, but we left with more than we went in with. And I can tell you the Guidance Office Administrative Assistant doesn't make enough money!

Work was a challenge today. We've changed email servers and applications. I really think that sums up everything there is to say.

As I was getting ready to either 'accidentally' knock my computer off the desk or just sign off and go home, I received a text message from EJ. He received notification in the mail that he is an official candidate at West Point!

I think I will end my day on a good note and head home!

Another Last First Day

Tomorrow is the first day of school for Chloe and EJ and it will be EJ's last first day of school. Kate moved into an apartment on Saturday and is getting ready to start another year of college. It seems like a lot of things are changing. And for those of you who might not have picked up on this major flaw in my make-up, I don't cope well with change.

Kate's apartment is wonderful. She has her own bedroom and bathroom and will share the living area, kitchen and washer/dryer with her two roommates. This is a big move. She won't be required to move her things out at the end of the school year. She won't need to bring most of her stuff home over school breaks so the dorm can be fumigated. If she chooses, she can stay even after she graduates and starts teaching. This is a really big move.

Chloe will have one day off from marching practice as a concession for the first day of school. But come Tuesday she will be back in full marching mode. I'm actually rather excited about it; I do like routine. I wonder how Chloe feels :-). EJ will start soccer camp right after school and our first tournament will be this weekend.

They don't know it yet, but I will need EJ and Chloe to pose for a picture on Tuesday morning as they go off to school. Since they are with their dad this weekend, I can't take it tomorrow so I'll need a re-do! I don't want to ruin my running documentation of this yearly event. They love me and are generally pretty patient with me so there won't be too much groaning!