Back to School

We've been in back-to-school mode for about two weeks now!  Thankfully, the kids are all in the same district this year, and their district staggered the back-to-school events.

First up was William, and he had the best time, because Enisi and Edudi were still here, so Enisi came with us to the event!  They had three opportunities, so we went to the first one, which was during working hours.

I'm the most nervous for William, because the one friend who we kept in touch with over the years, with playdates and invitations is being homeschooled this year!  Fingers crossed he finds his people quickly and has a great seventh grade year!

Enisi helped William with opening his combination locker.  I didn't find out until yesterday, but apparently, they are shot on lockers, and so he has a locker buddy that he shares with!  Kind of a weird set up, but he only has to store his backpack in there, and winter clothes when the time comes.

The twins playing with some lockless lockers.

Next up, the big girls had three days to choose from, and we went on the final day, because the time slots were all during the workday.  This was the general welcome, Emily missed out on the freshmen specific night, because she went up north with her friend Emma and her family the week before.  

Emily had spent so much time at the high school over the summer at color guard practice, that she had little to no nervousness for her first day, and in my mind, she was already a freshman, so I was emotionally set too!

Alice didn't seem nearly as annoyed this year!  She's already looking forward to her senior year, which still feels preemptive to me, so I'm just going to enjoy my sophomore!

I think she likes having Emily around!

Their lockers are in opposite wings.

Alice's locker was uncomfortably high for her to put in the combination, so I was able to email and get her switched to a bottom locker, but still in the opposite wing from Emily.

The twins welcome back night was just two days before they went back to school, and they only had one time slot, so the line was long!!!

Kona ice was ideally parked, so, as we were standing in the sun, the girls went to get us a cool snow cone treat!  We decided in hindsight that we probably could have split one, so we'll know for next time!

Once inside, there was more waiting to chat with the homeroom teacher.  Ironically, Grace and Juliet both have Mr. Allen, but there are two Mr. Allens and they have different ones! = )  They have all the same teachers, but no classes together, at least on Wednesdays.

I did take a picture of one of the twins at her locker, but somehow missed the other, so to avoid conflict, I'm not including either of them at their locker, but will add them in if I remember to take pictures at a later event!

I feel so sad for Juliet, because she and Kennedy aren't on the same team this year, and she's taking it really hard. = (  I'll do my best to keep them up on playdates!

Grace's friend is on her team, so they have lunch together at least, I'm not sure about class schedules though.

We walked around the entire outer perimeter of the building looking for the 'middle school' sign, but they don't have one! Not even the name of the school!  The girls negotiated for five minutes on their new playground.  I think they'll enjoy it more with their friends!

Not one to give up, we did eventually find a sign, and the girls gave it the state park treatment! = )  I felt like we were quite the trend setters, because as we were leaving, the family that saw us taking pictures with the sign also decided to do it. 

Using my basic phone editing software, I wasn't able to make the middle school small enough to fit on the building, so "middle school" just gets to float in the air. lol.

I don't even know what was going on here.  Just my two little sixth graders doing sixth grade things.

I felt like we were about as ready as we could be, but everyone came home on day one emptying their backpacks of things they don't think they'll need after all, and switching to bigger or better or smaller, and pulling out things that they will need after all!

Here's to a great school year, and what should be the final year of three schools!

later days

edit 8-21-25: backdated for continuity.

Emily's Freshman Marching Drills

Last week, Emily and William finished up their school year, and Emily started Freshman Band camp at her new school!  I was so excited for her.  

Sadly, for me, Juliet's emergency dentist appointment fell on the same day as her first practice.  Luckily, Avia stepped in and was able to taxi her to practice!  She came home all smiles and excitement; definitely loves it every bit as much as I thought she would!

Fast forward to Thursday, we arrived early for her second practice so that she could be fit for her uniform (since color guard has a separate uniform than the band) but she was told to wait until sectionals.  

Grace came with me so that we could try for a third (and what would have been final) time to make sure her ice cream sundae was on display to represent Dimondale.  They didn't put up the paper (that we printed and brought with us) so I don't know for sure that it was a success, but at least the PTO will get one donation from Grace's sundae! = )

One more pose in the giant chair!  Fewer and fewer Crockers came with each trip.

We took our sundaes to go, and got to see Emily in her ranks for the final few minutes of practice.  

After practice, we had to wait so that I could pay for her band shoes (because I clicked no, she didn't need them because she could wear Alice's, not considering that color guard would have different shoes.) The financial guy didn't arrive until after five, so I volunteered my time in the uniform room to help fit the incoming freshman.

I'm so excited for Emily's new adventure, but a little sad that Alice isn't going to be joining her on the field in the fall.

Here's to high school band year one for Emily, and high school band mom year two for me!

later days

edit 6-8-25: backdated for continuity.