Growing Up

Today Miss Bailee started 6th grade - her last day of elementary school. She was excited and nervous ... more so than any other year. She also took MUCH longer to decide what to wear, how to do her hair, etc. She even put on lip gloss. Decked out in skinny jeans, a camisole, and a rib tickling sweater she did NOT look like a little girl. She's a young woman now.

This is the first time that I was able to fully participate in the first day of school. Usually I'm the first one back at work. It was fun, and gave me one more reason to envy all those stay-at-home moms. Hard not to resent the fact that I've had to work through all of Bailee's growing up years. I figure that by the time she's in high school I'll be able to retire (if the economy recovers); just in time to cramp her style. ha ha

Our shortened school year feels strange to everyone, as it has thrown off our ingrained schedule for going back to school. Mom is frustrated by the weather change and the fact our days are noticeably shorter. The two week delay makes a big difference! Everything feels different this year. Not that it is a bad thing - I loved the long summer; though I wish it hadn't been so hot. I've watched the Port Townsend, Washington temps at friend Marsha's house with great envy!

Tomorrow is my zero to sixty day. First day back at school - a work day AND Back to School Night. It's bound to be crazy, because you always learn many new things that have to be dealt with during that first Faculty Meeting. The fact that we have a new principal this year will make that doubly interesting.

So, I'm wondering what Bailee and Diana are up to. I hope things are going smoothly for Diana (though that seems an oxymoron when applied to the first day of kindergarten). I hope that sixth grade is NOT as scary or hard as Bailee feared and that she comes home excited (she loves school, so I think that's pretty likely).

Beginnings are fun ... and scary ... and wonderful.

The Last Weekend of Summer

It's the last weekend of summer. Monday heralds in the being of school and a return to "normal life." I just hope that it is a better year than last year.

I am feeling shortchanged, because I don't feel well today. I'm as pale as a sheet (as my Mom always said) and my stomach is inventing fun ways to torture me. Ick. I think I picked up the bug Bailee had yesterday ... but I think I picked up more than my share. :) Oh well, life is never simple.

I managed to get a great deal of school stuff done early this morning, before the bug hit. I'm thankful for that. Now I'm listening to the rain and thunder, watch "Barefoot Contessa" on Food Network, and catching up on some computer stuff. Diana and Bailee went out to see "Nanny McPhee 2" and Mom is out shopping. Do I feel sorry for myself? I sure do!

Oh La ...

The last few days of vacation are dwindling away. Bailee is trying to cram in as much playing as possible. I'm trying to finish projects. Diana is already in the thick of things, so she's a lost cause. It is hard to let go of summer and the freedom it brings. The chaos of summer does make one yearn for the routine of the other months though. I hate to admit it, but it's true. Those more respectable and regimented months have their own special charm ... and after a few months of rolling about in all that summer offers one can get a little sick of it. The time has come, and though I'm trying to hang on to the fun, it feels right to be going back.



Bailee had a visit from the two sixth grade teachers who will be working with her this year - Mrs. Perry and Ms. Lawrence. They're meeting their students and bringing them packets about sixth grade. I am very impressed. This is the nice part about smaller schools in a small geographical area.


Diana is off to Back to School Night. She has to work from 6:00 to 8:30 or later. Another one of the upaid demands which districts make. We will attend the one at Bailee's school tomorrow.


Tomorrow is also Bailee's twelfth birthday. It is really hard to grasp the fact that she is now a young woman. She has been such a joy in our lives.

Goodbye Summer!

Summer officially comes to a close for us on Tuesday. That will be Diana's first day back at work. My first day will be the 31st. Bailee will start school on the 30th. So long summer! It's been ... hot, busy, hectic, and crazy.

Of course, this is all the official side of things. In reality, we've been working at our schools or on school work all month. This is the time we do all the window dressing, preparations, etc. that make the rest of the year work. All that remains is to add kids and stir.

Of course, this is the perfect time for the state of Idaho to catch fire, so it did. There's a large fire in the Arbon Valley (west of Pocatello), but our prevailing winds are funneling the smoke on a direct route to Idaho Falls. It's stinky and miserable. There was a 50% chance of showers today, so now we are all really praying that comes true. A downpour is much needed!

During the past week we have had high winds and high temperatures - the perfect combination for drying everything out to a crisp. I don't think there is a scrap of vegetation that isn't ripe for a wayward spark. Even our yard is in a sorry state. You just can't seem to keep ahead of the heat and wind. Right now I look at the yard and dream of snow.