School Begins Again!

Today marks the first day I have four of my five children in school ... at four different schools!  They are all growing and learning so much - it's an exciting time of life.


Chandler is entering 7th Grade at the De Pere Middle School.  He will switch teachers for every class, and is planning on continuing the saxophone in the school band and playing basketball and track for sports.  (and piano lessons privately, of course!)  He is a boy scout and is nearly half way to receiving his Eagle.  (his goal is to match his daddy's achievement of Eagle Scout by age 14)  In addition, he's one of the best babysitters around - definitely his mom and dad's favorite!  (He is fun with the little girls, responsibly cares for them, and usually cleans up after they're in bed!)  No doubt he will also continue his straight-As in middle school.


Carlie is entering 5th Grade at Foxview Intermediate School.  Her teacher is Mrs. Gutzman, and she will continue learning the violin in the school orchestra & begin singing in the chorus for the first time.  She also takes piano, dance, and gymnastics outside of school.   She is a busy little lady - still looking for any spare moment to get together with her friends.  She is fun and imaginative with her little sisters, too, playing restaurant, school, etc.


Caleb is entering 3rd Grade at Heritage Elementary School.  His teacher is Mrs. Lueck, who keeps a rabbit and goldfish in the classroom (much to Caleb's delight!).  He claims school is incredibly easy, and he looks forward to all the extra reading-time he gets when he finishes his schoolwork quickly.  He is a total bookworm ... until he arrives home, and then he is a total computer and video-game addict!  Our kitchen timer is trying to keep the situation under control, though.  And it makes me feel better to know he truly reads a ton (and large books, too!  He read the entire Harry Potter series last year in 2nd grade from December to April, I think).  He just began taking piano lessons about a week ago and is very, very excited to learn.


Rachel is entering "4-K" preschool at St. Thomas More Catholic School.  She has a very sweet, young teacher named Mrs. Collins, and she even gets to bring her lunchbox every day to eat in the classroom with her friends.  She attends Monday, Wednesday, and Friday from 8:15 am to 12:30 pm.  She even gets once a week in a real music class, gym class, and alternating weeks in library and computer lab (with 5th grade buddies to help them).  She is very excited to go to school!


Kierstyn looked at me yesterday in the midst of the getting-ready-for-school chaos, and said in a very worried voice, "Mommy, where's MY school???"  I paused, not sure how to break the bad news to her.  So I tried to sound enthusiastic when I told her that she'll be going to school at home with mommy.  I waited for the protesting, but instead her face lit up and she began announcing in joyous tones, "I get to go to school at HOME with MOMMY!!!!"  She even told the strangers at the store later on!  She's a smart little thing, too!  She loves to read the ABC book and point out a handful of letters that she knows.  She loves to read in general!  Even alone.  Hooray for books!