First and Last's!

This is Josh's last year of Elementary school.  He is excited about that and I'm very sad.  This is the last time I get to be a room mom.  My baby is almost in middle school.  This is really not helping much with the fact that I don't want to be that old.  At least he isn't too old to give me a hug and kiss before he leaves for school!

Kaeli didn't have the best first week of school which seemed to last forever!  Things are calming down now and she is busy with cheerleading and dance.  She is really cute!!!  (mom keeps at bat in hand!)  This is her last year of middle school.  We are having a never ending battle of cheerleading vs. dancing.  She's holding out for both but I have a strict "1 activity at a time"  policy. 

Every afternoon  I ask her the same question- "do you have any homework?"  her reply is usually "a little bit."  I have learned from many experiences that could mean  a whole spectrum of  things so I dug a little deeper.  "do you have any big things coming up?"  her reply "NO MOM".   Let's jump ahead two hours to meet the teacher night.  This is where parents get to go meet all the teachers and find out about the expectations of their classes.  In almost every class there were projects and papers assigned with specific deadlines.  Kaeli hasn't quite figured out the concept of planning ahead.  I walked into her English class and the teacher started with "I know you all probably hate me because of this grammer project and are tired of hearing about it so I want you to understand exactly what I'm asking for".  I had absolutely no clue what she was talking about.  I know Kaeli hadn't even attempted to do any of it.  After leaving that blessed meeting I returned home to speak to my little procrastinator.  "Kaeli- why did your English teacher have to tell me about a big project due next week and I knew nothing about it?"  Kaeli- "oh mom, that's not due to next week"  "Have you started"  I asked- (already knowing that answer)    Kaeli- "why should I do that- I still have lot's of time".  As frustrating as this was, it did give us a good chance to sit down and talk about we can do to make this school year be great.  I'm sure this will not be the last of the "putting things off" but hopefully we can minimize it.  She is learning and so am I to stay on top of this by checking school web frequently!

Ben started high school this year.  I can't believe how big he is and how old he looks.  He was so excited for school.  If he was nervous he sure didn't show it.   He is playing football and loving it!  It has been so incredibly hot outside and they are practicing in the heat of the day.  He loves his classes which helps with the never ending homework battle.  Ben has always been my kid who hates to be late.  He gets that from me which I am grateful for.  It's been a little harder this week because of seminary.  His first day of seminary was Monday.  I almost had to throw him out.  After much discussions of what I expected from him, the last couple of days went much better.  He is sleeping or eating all of the time now!