Hello! It’s September!
Just like that, our sweet summer doggy paddle transitioned right to treading in six feet of water. Our heads are still above the surface, though. I think.
We started school, and the kiddos are happy campers! Harper is in class with a group of good friends and a sweet-as-honey fifth grade teacher. Jameson’s teacher was his top pick, and he also shares her with his two best buddies. They come out smiling and, for this, I am so grateful.
I have a sweet class of fifth graders, too. They are quirky and kind, and I love them. Though it’s true I have already had conversations about midriffs, sassing their peers (sigh, comes with the territory), and yes- you still have study hall even though you promise me you did it and it’s just at home on the counter (lies, I say!), they make me smile every day.
Jason is off to a good start too, and he will be even happier when he shares his teaching with Square State Skate starting next week. Picture P.E. class on the blacktop with skateboards and helmets for all. So fun. And very “cool”, right? Kids always want to go to Jason’s class. In fact, last week, one kindergartner missed a day of school, which happened to be a P.E. day. He was so upset upon return, when we learned that actually the schedule moves on anyway (even if YOU are absent) and he’d have to go to music. He quite literally began sobbing, thrust himself down onto the floor, and cried, “I want to go to P.E.!!!” over and over again.
“I want to go to language arts SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO bad!”
Said no fifth grader ever.
Sigh again. I chose the wrong content to teach.
In between the back-to-school busies, we celebrated Jason’s 44th birthday. He and I stole away for a dinner in Boulder the night before and then enjoyed tacos and cake with family. I am glad we pushed pause to love on him a bit, but I also know he was not entirely thrilled with aging another year. We love you, hon. You get better and better by the day.
In smaller-life-details, we have been enjoying the start of our fruit CSA from a local orchard. Every other week, I pick up pounds of apples or pears or cherries or peaches, and we stop to feed the horses or donkeys.
Jameson started karate and, is so far, loving it. He counts in Japanese and earned his first “stripe” for some kind of release move he satisfactorily completed. He takes things quite seriously, bowing each time he steps in and out of the … ring? That’s not the right word. The mat area? Quite cute indeed.
Harper applied for student council and was accepted! She is thrilled, as this was her highest hope for her fifth grade experience. Her first meeting is next week, and she is ready. She will be great at this. Hip, hip, hooray for her! Found this selfie in my phone just recently.
And now we’ve made it to our first three-day weekend. Big plans? Not so much. My people all fell to the back-to-school junk that is circulating like dust. As I type, Jason is napping, Jameson is sniffling and coughing in between sneaking more screen time, and Harper is laying on the couch watching home decoration shows on repeat. I am hoping they bounce a little tomorrow. If so, we would like to escape the heat and do a little hike. Fresh air might just be the ticket.
Maybe I won’t be away for so long until next time. I am hoping to adjust my strokes so I can swim out of this transition a little faster.
Wishing you all apples and cool temperatures – things September should have.
