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.

Enisi and Edudi Come to Visit

Months and months ago, the Crockers planned their visit to us, and as it got closer to their trip, I asked if Bill would be willing to share his expertise, and help save this wall!  They brought some tools with them, so we could knock it out while they were here!  

That said, Billy and I were in Poland when they first got here, but the trips only overlapped a couple of days! Apparently, only Alice was actually home when they arrived, but we all made it home eventually.

Grace has really upped her piano game this summer, in anticipation of playing percussion in band!  Here, Edudi was adding some notes that made Grace's song sound really polished!

The very first time that Billy and I went to Max's Southseas Hideaway, Billy told me how much his dad would love it there, so we made the trip, and brought any of the kids that wanted to go!  Normally I would have pushed a little harder for everyone to go on a trip like this, but it would have required two cars making the drive, and since Alice and William had very little inclination to join us, they missed out this time!

They had some fancy drinks on the menu, and you could get yours served in a pineapple for a slight upcharge!  Emily and Grace were really excited to get their pineapple drinks.

Juliet declined both of her drinks being in pineapples, but did enjoy seeing Grace and Emily's on the table!

Billy and I shared a different flaming drink this time!

Emily and Grace both ordered the kids' sushi plate.  Juliet had grilled cheese and fries, which she shared with Enisi!

Grace added a flower to her hair!

We also ordered the smore-like dessert, so that the girls could play with fire. lol.

Everyone, except for me and Billy, got up and toured the building, while we waited on our food.  We did take one more picture in front of the fountain.  It is such a cool place, and everyone left impressed!

Emily and Grace wanted to help with the wall, so after says of mudding and sanding, it was finally time to prime the wall!  We added two layers, because of the navy paint.

Enisi was a good sport and played lots of board and card games with the girls, while Bill and Billy played a video game together.

The finished product looks soooooo much better!  It also makes the hallway lighter!  I'm hoping to get some paneling put in there, ideally, so maybe eventually, but for now I'm just thrilled that it is such a vast improvement!

I hope they had a nice visit, it's quite the trip for them, but always good to have them here!

later days

edit 8-21-25: backdated for continuity. 

Thanksgiving 2024

This year, Bill and Brenda got to come up for almost an entire week!  They have a trailer that they improved into an RV.  It is comfortable enough for the dogs to spend their days in, and them to spend the nights, well, until we stayed below freezing for days in a row.

Before they arrived, I subbed and found the most apt Thanksgiving poem in a book at the twins' school.

The twins usurped all of Enisi's time the second they arrived!  They couldn't wait to show her all of the things we collected for her during the year.

All 5 had two days of school the week of Thanksgiving, so Monday night saw us all going up to the school for the twins' art show!

Grace showing off her art.

Juliet showing off her art.

Not the twins' art, but a very cool effect on the clay pumpkins! It maded them look really soft, but they were porous and rough to the touch.

For "friendsgiving" Grace wanted to bring sprite (so easy!) and Juliet wanted mashed potatoes (not so easy.)  But I made up 32 servings of mashed potatoes to deliver to school on Tuesday afternoon.  My girls are really good at gratitude though, so it was totally worth it!

All three Williams (II, IV, III) and Grace!

All my girls!

Billy's parents, very kindly, gave him one of their vehicles, a Cadillac XT5.  It's so fancy that I had to get instructions just to use the gear shift!  This meant a trip to the SOS, but with an appointment, our wait was minimal! 

Thanksgiving this year was paid for by my sister, since Billy hadn't yet started at his new job, so Bob Evans did the heavy lifting, and my mom helped me reheat the food, while Brenda entertained the children and Bill and Billy argued something political, or monetary, or something very important. ; )

In picture one we got Avia and Alice,

Picture two had Grace, Emily, and Enisi!  

No pictures with everyone, but Juliet did a good job, and made sure everyone had a handprint on the tablecloth!

By my calculations, I have 10 years left on this tablecloth, and by then we'll probably need a new table anyhow!

We sent some leftovers home with Avia for Sarah and Acea, so they could also enjoy some tasty Thanksgiving food!

Grace decked out our garden pumpkin for Thanksgiving!

 

Speaking of Grace, she was totally, 100% safe getting down the fire starter.

I finally got out my favorite Christmas decoration from my childhood, after 10 or so years of it being stored away, and found that it was wrapped in a wiggles sheet?!  Is this considered vintage yet?

And there he his!  The Santa with his cookies and toys!  I had to replace two of the bulbs in the cottage this year, but bought a 5 pack, so as the others burn out, I'll have replacements!

Once the Christmas decorations were out, and the pumpkin pie was gone, the whipped cream disappeared; has anyone seen it?

So strange; I guess some mysteries will never be solved.

On Friday, all of my crew, plus Bill and Brenda, loaded up and went to see Moana 2!  I enjoyed the solitude and got many projects done around the house!

They left early Saturday morning, but not too early, since we got some overnight snow, and the plows needed time to clear the roads.

Hopefully they'll be able to come more often with the new trailer!

later days

12-22-24 backdated for continuity.