Kids are back in school! I am so grateful they are in-person, clubs are running and there’s even a football game tonight! Woot Woot! It all feels very precarious given the uptick of Delta (and now Mu!) variants that are wreaking havoc on all of us but our family motto is ‘We will enjoy what we can when we can’ so that’s what we will do.
Ellie is loving sophomore year. She has Dylan and a good friend group which is awesome. Yesterday after school they all came over here to do homework, giggle and eat homemade mall pretzels. I listened to the energy and happy noise with a huge, smiling face. This is exactly where I want them during these teen afternoons- in a safe space, with kind and good friends…eating my food. Ha!
Liam is off to a great start in 8th grade too. He is totally wild about his civics class and the new teacher hired for that course. He is pumped about Spanish (his first classes!) and has found a couple of good friends to hang out with during lunch and after school. He seems to be putting a lot of pressure on himself to do well and is creating some anxiety with lofty goals around his grades. We are working on getting him to take a breath and just enjoy himself a bit.
Ellie is a joiner like her mom. She has already signed up for PRISM, mock trial club, the green club and theater. We enrolled her in some acting classes at the community theater and she is putting her energy into prepping for the Mama Mia musical in the spring. Liam is not a joiner like his dad. He has to choose an activity to join and so far we aren’t making much progress choosing. I don’t think he’d like it if I have to choose for him. Ha!
On Monday we did our annual Back To School Feast and it was great. We ordered sushi but also made our own! It was fun to try making our own sushi rolls while also enjoying those provided by the expert chefs. The kids each chose a crystal that they feel like connects them with an area of focus for the school year. Ellie chose a blue lapis which guides you to help lead the direction of your own life. Liam chose a green fluorite which signifies growth and restarting. He also put the clear quartz in his backpack because it helps clear your thoughts. Not sure how much of this I believe but I chose a rainbow fluorite which helps wishes come true and Brent chose a black obsidian which guards against negative energy. We had a nice dinner and great conversation about our goals and worries for the year. I didn’t set the house on fire this time so we have that going for us too!
Here is to a great school year!