Back To School

The boys are back in school, the house is mostly quiet and stays clean for more than five minutes, and summer seems like a distant memory.  The first day of school is always a little nerve-racking for me as I wonder how the kids are faring.  This year I was relieved that everyone came home happy with positive things to say.  What a relief!

Marcus rarely wears his glasses but was going for the "serious student look" on his 1st day

Marcus is in his sophomore year at Skyline.  He's taking drivers ed so that's exciting and scary but mostly exciting.  Drivers Ed isn't offered through the school like it was when I was a kid.  In Washington, you have to pay to take the course and it's offered through different companies but there's also a class offered through the school, which is what Marcus is taking.  He has class every T/Th for a couple hours after school and then has drives scheduled around that.  It's long and torturous but at least I don't have to drive him to his class which is why we're doing it at the school, even if it's a longer program.  He's still working one or two afternoons a week at his lifeguarding job and is playing his first season of box lacrosse (indoor lax which is a lot more physical and a lot less running) with a game every Saturday.  So basically we never see this kid even though it's not track and lacrosse season yet.

So handsome!

Ethan started 8th grade and Pine Lake Middle School.  He's the kid I worried about the most and came home the most excited.  Turns out being the oldest grade in the school is all it's cracked up to be.  He's got a few friends in every class, a lot of familiar teachers, and is running cross country after school.  He bikes to school on days when it isn't rainy and other than getting an intense bout of stomach flu on the second and third day of school, he's off to a great start!

Landon's pose says it all

Landon is in 4th grade at Creekside Elementary.  He lucked out with a great teacher.  Bless her!  Ten-year-old boys are obnoxious but she seems to think they are cute and almost as funny as they think they are.  She had short 10-minute interviews with the parents of each student on the second day of school and I was so excited about that.  It gave me the chance to get to know her a bit and tell her about Landon.  After sharing all of Landon's good qualities (he's a great student) I told her he has four brothers but that doesn't mean she should let him act like a wild animal and if she sees any behavior like that to nip it in the bud.  Having five boys is a blessing and a curse.   I've quickly realized that when people discover my boys come from a family of boys they immediately assume that my boys are out of control with no manners.  I'm always happy to prove them wrong.  For the most part.

Parker finally got to wear his new shoes!

Parker started 1st grade at Creekside.  He had a great group of boys in his kindergarten class and it's sad to see them disbanded.  He's already made some new friends and has transitioned from playing tag and "spying" at recess to playing soccer.  His brothers are thrilled with that.  He's also super grumpy and I'm working on figuring out if it's due to lack of sleep or feeling overwhelmed by changes.  It's probably both.  But he and Landon are good buddies and ride their bikes to and from school most days because they love the freedom of not riding the bus.  I love that they get good exercise!  The school is almost 2 miles away and there are a lot of hills so they work up a sweat.

Henry is in the throes of the "terrible twos."  He is grumpy and very particular about everything. At every meal, he insists on eating with at least four utensils.  And don't even think about trying to get by with three!  He still naps like a champ and is lucky he is the cutest thing ever because some days I want to dropkick him out the door.   Thankfully he plays happily with our next-door neighbor, giving both of us a break from each other.  

Everyone made it to the bus stop on time.  Win!!