School Time, Again!

 Another school year has started! This year Henry is in 1st grade and Irene is in Kindergarten. The day started with a thunderstorm and a lot of rain. We managed to make it out the door on time. At school it was a madhouse! So many cars we had to park at the nearby church and walk over. Since it was raining all the students and parents and helpers were inside the halls.

We stopped at Henry's classroom first. We talked to his teacher and dropped off his rain jacket and lunchbox. Then we walked to Irene's room. Irene gave me a kiss and was ready for the day to start. I walked Henry back to his room and got my hug and kiss. He joined the other kids that were waiting for the bell to ring.

Now it is just me and Gavin at home. Goodness! It is quiet!

I am hopeful that this year is going to be better than last year. This year Henry's teacher was recommended by Mrs. Peterson, Henry's tutor. She said Henry will have a good year with her. I hope so! They are expected to do more work by themselves, which is good, but I worry about Henry.

Henry did do three weeks of summer school in August and I think that really gave him a head start into this school year. I'm hoping that it has gotten him back into the 'school mode' so that the transition from summer to school will be easier.

 August was a busy month for us. Henry had summer school 4 days a week for 4 weeks. He missed one week because I had food poisoning and was not able to leave the house. Thankfully, the kids and I had a movie watching marathon that week.

Miss Irene either feel or jumped off her bed and hit her leg. She was screaming in pain and her leg looked...not right. We thought it was broken. We made the drive to the hospital. Poor Irene whimpered all the way. I sat in the back with her and we had her legged propped up with pillows. At the emergency room we got right in and within fifteen minutes she was getting x-rays. Everyone, including the doctor, was surprised that her leg was not broken. We were shocked but relieved! The doctor said she had bleeding into the muscle which was causing the pain and trouble walking. She was instructed to stay off it for a few days. She became very good at ordering her brothers to get things for her. Pillow pets, cheese, blankets, go get them!

 She is doing much better now. Just a lot of bruising on her leg.

                                
 We went to the library a lot this summer. We'd find books and movies to bring home. Plus, the library always has some kind of cool set-up in the children's area. For the summer they had a tent set up with a fake fire and marshmallows for roasting. There was fishing, and cook-out food to play with as well. It was a very cute set-up and the kids loved it.

 Now, we are in school mode once again. Lot's of new stuff this year. We are also saving to go to Manistee for a weekend in October. One of my best childhood friends is getting married there. I am so excited for her! We are looking forward to a weekend spent with people we like and love. It will be a real treat to get away from Lowell. Of course, those darn curve balls keep coming our way. As I try to save each week for the October weekend life sends little surprises. The water pump went on our vehicle and we were without a car for several days. Our dryer quit working. It took the repairman ten minutes to fix and cost us $90. I am grateful for a working dryer once again, but it did set back my weekend savings plan.

With school starting it reminds me that we have now lived in Lowell for a year. I can't say that I am thrilled about it all. We have our very own family Dramalama complete with threats against my children. Perhaps I'll tell that story soon.
Yeah, can't say I'm happy to be here, but I am trying to make the best of it.

Besides, just look at that ^ smile. It sure makes me smile!