One starting high school...one starting kindergarten...

Bright and early on Monday July 28th Rachel woke up to get ready for her much awaited first day of high school. Early I say because she chose to take 0 Period which starts at 6:40am. Yeah you read that right...she chose to.

We had taken her to the school and walked her around to all of her classes...she had practiced straightening her hair just right, had rehearsed putting on just the right amount of make up and had her outfit all picked out...and feeling pretty proud of the whole ensemble.

And we were proud too...not just because she looked adorable, but because she bought most of it with her own hard earned money (an accomplishment in its self). She wanted to earn money of her own and couldn't figure out why she wasn't ever getting asked back to babysit. I think our talk about going the extra mile and leaving the house picked up and dishes washed paid off. She had more work than she could fit in these last couple of weeks.

So Rachel's schedule is:
0. English
1. Algebra
2. Dance (PE)
3. Seminary
4. Culinary Arts
5. Choir
6. Science.

Cool thing is...we have access to her grades at any given moment (don't you love the internet)

After only a couple days in to this next phase of her life she announced that she absolutely loves school...hates for the day to end. She seems to have really "come in to her own" the past few months and we hope that this trend continues.








Jessica was so excited to start kindergarten that she was counting down the days. She even agreed to go to bed early the few days prior so that she could get used to getting plenty of rest.

She didn't care so much about the clothes that she would wear or how we would do for hair...she was more interested in what she would pack in her lunch. I was sure that she would ask for her favorite pb&j, but for some reason she decided on the more mature, turkey sandwich and even wanted a little mayo (she hated mayo last week?). But she liked it...she requested it every day this week.

So dad and I walked her in to the kindergarten play yard where she was greeted by her teacher, Ms. Gras (a brand new transplant from Michigan...boy does she have a rude awakening coming...in more ways than one)


With out hesitation, Jessica put her backpack and lunch box down and barely bid goodbye as she ran off to play with her new friends. We hung around for a little while as we watched kids crying and mothers crying with separation anxiety. We turned towards the gate to leave feeling proud of our "well adjusted" Jessie, turned around for one last look....
and burst out laughing as we watched her chasing boys (oh man...what are we in for?)

This first week (much to our surprise) we've had no battles going to bed on time to get plenty of rest, we've had no issues with getting dressed in a timely manner...and even a helpful hand getting lunch packed. We have however had a bit of an issue with her getting her card turned over to another color already. Apparently Jessie likes to talk to her neighbors when she's supposed to be listening (not so surprising).

All in all...it's been a successful week and we couldn't be prouder of both of them.