Back to School, Back to School. . .

 Casey and I had a work day on Monday the 18th with meetings and prep for most of the day. Tuesday was our first official day of school. The girls were very excited for school to start and Pete would have rather extended summer vacation. 

 

Kendal and Pete had a time trial meet on the 22nd. The middle school crew only did 1 mile and the high school group did two miles. It was just a run around the school, but it was a fun family event where even the younger siblings got to do a 1/2 mile run (or in Alice's case a walk / jog). There was a ton of watermelon to go around as well. 

The community night football game was on the 23rd. Kendal and Pete went with Casey. Alice and I had a movie night at home while the older two got to hang out with friends at the games. 

Kendal had her first meet in Jerome on the 28th. She started off really well, but her calves went numb and her legs failed her so she struggled to the finish. She had to meet with the athletic trainer when she got back to school and they gave a bunch of advice so she can hopefully not have a lot of issues going forward this season. 

We had school off on the 29th and I got the house clean and all of my fall peaches canned. They've been the best peaches we've had in years! We left for Logan the next morning to see family and celebrate my Dad's birthday early. Saturday evening Casey and Pete went to the USU football game that evening. They had a fun time and the Aggies won their opening game of the season! The rest of us hung out at my parents for a pizza dinner and the kids played night games outside. 

Sunday we joined my parents for their sacrament meeting and had a home lesson for Sunday School. Later in the afternoon David's crew showed up and we played the evening away. We had fun playing hockey around my parents driveway. 

Monday morning we went down to the shop to ride the 4 wheelers. We even let Alice drive a bit more this time. Grandpa spoiled the kids with doughnuts and chocolate milk also. After lunch the kids played some more hockey and around the house before we left to go home. 

Pete had his first meet this past week in Valley. He ran well and got 8th place (tied with his buddy Austin!). It was neat because he had three cousins there running that day. Thomas joined the race (as a 5th grader), Becca did the girls race, and Keegan is doing cross country this year so he can hopefully prevent any further head injury's this year. All of the kids did a great job and were cheered on by family! Kendal had a bye week so no meet's to report on her end. 

School has been mostly good so far. The kids like their classes and being back with friends. Pete's electives right now are Finance and Computer Coding. Kendal is in Semenary, Library Aid, Music Seminar, and Spanish. Alice likes school so far, and is being a trooper going to school and coming home on her own. Casey is doing well this school year, he's in a sweet spot of students where the "harder" students are in 6th and 8th this year and his grade is just a bit "doughy".  To be honest I dread A days and teaching my Exploring Academics class. It's hard to teach kids who don't want to be there, lack a lot of skills, and just don't care about school in general (thus they need help). I had a big wake up call that this is not a class I'll get to be my best self in for these kids. They'll be getting a lot of my stricter side and consequences for behaviors. I still have to make up the curriculum as we go and adapt to the needs of the students so it's been a lot of eye opening moments that these kids need a lot of help in many areas. 

This next week will be our first full week of school since starting school as well as the first Cross Country meet that both Kendal and Pete will be at together.