First Week of School

All three kids had a wonderful first week of school. Kelsey was the first to leave Tuesday morning. She and McKenzie gave each other a great big hug. They have been going to school together for the past 4 years and won't be in school together again until McKenzie is a senior in high school. Kelsey says the best part of third grade is her teacher and that she has a class pet. She has a wonderful teacher who has many years of experience. Kelsey is "desk manager" for her class which requires her to check everyone's desk to make sure that it is clean at the end of the week. Peter and I both laughed when we found out this was her job....if only her teacher knew what her bedroom looks like!

McKenzie made a very smooth transition to middle school. After she and Conner left for the bus stop, I shut the door, and my eyes filled up with tears because our little girl is growing up. She was so confident and happy as she walked down the hill with Conner. She is very fortunate to have such a great brother. I stood at our bedroom window and video taped her as she took her first bus ride to middle school. When she came home, she told us that she made 4 new friends the very first day.

Conner also has done wonderfully well starting 7th grade. He has already made a friend who lives in the new neighborhood across the street. He said that his goal this year is to be organized, and he really followed through this week. Today he wrote a poem about himself:

Conner that's my name don't wear it out

I love the barking of the puppies as I ring the doorbell.

They jump on me and try to lick my face and chew on my socks.

We play so hard that at the end of the day they can't stand up.

I hear Jason Mraz blaring through the headphones of my i pod.

It makes me want to dance and sing.

I come home, and I smell the garlic floating in the air as the soft yet crunchy garlic bread comes out of the oven. After dinner my mom's famous chocolate chip cookies fill the air.

The aroma is so strong that it makes my mouth water.

If my name was a color the color would be red because it is vivid and bright like my personality.

Three people I could not survive without would be my mom (who I do almost everything with), my smart dad (who helps me with my homework), and Dylan my crazy yet calm friend.

One day I dream of visiting my friend in Japan.

I would watch him throw out the guy on first to win the game.

We would have a snowball fight so big everyone would come out to join.

I live in Portland that's my home.

I never want to leave.