School Daze

WOW...school season is off and running and kicking Mommy in the tail. We are trying desperately to keep up with all the cross country meets, cheer classes, hip hip classes and find time to do our homework and practice reading and writing.

Danielle is enjoying first grade. She was very recently moved into an "accelerated" math program. This means my little baby has to switch classes for math. Those of you who know me, know she did not get her math skills from Mommy. (Hope she needs little help with accelerated first grade math or she will have to go see the Busia.) She is adjusting to having some homework to finish from the day, but all in all is adjusting to first grade.

She recently decided an afternoon of dress up was in order, as you can hopefully see below.






BJ's senior year continues to speed along. We have to send in the information for his diploma....and pick out his senior yearbook picture. Senior. I have a Senior. Cross Country season also keeps moving. He ran a PR the other day...16:39.

We also enjoyed a visit from some of Brian's family . Here is Danielle with her cousin Chris from DC.


Danielle is planning our next vacation to go to "DC Washington" to see him.

Other than that...we continue to work and work and work. Looking forward to a nice weekend of hopefully another U of M win and a good time at BJ's meet on Saturday morning.

Lakes vs. Lake Forest

BJ had a meet on Tuesday evening against Lake Forest. From what I hear, he ran well in the heat. He finished 2nd overall behind one of his teammates (Ethan) with a time of 17:51ish. Thanks to Busia and Dziadzia for being there with Brian to cheer him on.

Run BJ, Run!!!! Looking forward to the Inivitational this weekend. Stay tuned for the results.

"First Grade Means Work"

That's what Danielle told me last Friday as we drove to the school to look at the class lists posted on the door. "I dont want to go to first grade anymore, Mommy. First grade won't be fun and games like kindergarten. It will be all about work." Hmmmmmm.....she is kind of right. I try to distract her by saying that she might be in a different color village this year or be in class with her friends from the day care (Danielle's school hallways are called villages.)

So, we pull up to the school. There we see her best friend Sarah and her Mommy. "Danielle, youre still in purple village" (strike two) and "No one from Pitter Patter is in your class either" (strike three). THINK MOMMY THINK...make it better before the tears start to roll.......I scan the list and see that Danielle has several girls from her kindergarten class in her first grade...WHEW.

Danielle started first grade the following week. She and I went Monday for back to school night to drop off her supplies and meet her teacher...Mrs. Sherman (a Packer fan). We had to do a scavenger hunt to put away her supplies and pick out her desk. (Nothing quite like a scavenger hunt after a long day at work followed by the race home in Chicago traffic to get to back to school night) Mrs. Sherman has the kids sitting boy/girl/boy/girl. (Come on Mrs. Sherman, work with me.) But Danielle's little cluster of desks has some very nice children at it. This year we will be hearing all about Sam, Rebecca, Addison, and the two other boys she doesnt like yet.

Her first week of school was terrific. The kids are writing in journals that she will bring home once a week. She will be writing each day a sentence about what she did or what her favorite thing was that day. Her first week was all about her and what her favorite things were in general. (She spelled Michigan wrong but it was her favorite team and place to swim.)

BJ has been in school for two weeks. He landed the honor/duty of wearing the Lakes Community High School Eagle mascot costume at the first pep rally. We werent there, but from what I hear, he did a great job. Two cross country meets are finished already. Busia, Dziadzia and Daddy cheered him to a 18:20ish time in his first meet, and today (Saturday) he ran a 17:21 at the Fenton Inviational and finished in the top 40 out of a field of over 125. He will be taking the ACT again soon and then we will be sending off some college applications. (HOLY COW)