The Sound of Silence

The kids all went back to school today, which is always bittersweet around here.  We love summer, and never want it to end, but there is always the interesting prospect of a new year, new friends, new experiences and growth to look forward to in starting school again.

They were of course nervous and excited and had a very hard time falling asleep last night.

Brooke is starting middle school and has studied the school map with Madison (multiple times) who gave her tips on how to get around.  We've been to the locker, practiced the combo lots of times, toured campus, and got all ready for a new chapter in life.

Madison is ruling the school as an 8th grader.  She received her schedule with two PE classes, and no math!  That's a bit confusing, but working with the AP and the Counselor, got it all figured out.  Turns out that because she is in all honor classes and the Discover Magnet program along with Spanish, there wasn't room for Algebra, as it's taught the same time as Spanish.  Unfortunately, she had to drop Spanish for Math, even though we were secretly hoping that PE could somehow count as math credit.  ha!

Christian is a big 3rd grader and is super excited to have is best buds Harrison and Max in his class. 

Christian and Ashlyn will now have the same recess and lunch.  He told her he'd look out for her during those times to make sure she's OK and they could be together.  He's so sweet!

Ashlyn is in 1st grade.  She told me she was nervous about going to school all day as she has never done that.  But she was really concerned about me being "alone" all day without her.  She told me I would have to "find a friend to hang out with".  She mentioned something like that almost daily so she really was concerned about me.  Don't worry Ash, I think I can keep myself busy.

 They are all ready to have a fabulous year!!

Christian with Mrs. Triplett!  We are so happy to finally have her for a teacher.

See that look of nervousness?  It's genuine.  She froze.  She didn't want us to leave.  But I know that she'll be awesome when we leave. Especially when her BFF Cooper arrives.

Mrs. Warner and Ashlyn.  She's in a 1/2 split.  I hope it works well.

Off to the Middle School!  I asked Brooke if she wanted us to drop her off or walk her in, and she really wanted us to go in, so sorry Madison - you get to walk in with your parents!

It was fun to see their reaction when they opened their lockers which were decorated late last night by John.

We ended up walking Brooke to her first class and the teacher came out to introduce herself.  She was super nice - they really take care of the 6th graders well.

Now I'm home and it's so quiet.  I can hear the refrigerator humming.

I can also clean up a mess and it will actually last . . . 

... until 2:35.

Back to School

It's the first day of school, and children everywhere have butterflies in there tummies, and parents are skipping around like it's the most wonderful time of the year.

We have mixed emotions around here. It's exciting to get on a new schedule as the summer wears on, and yet it's terrifying knowing that the children are in fact growing and embarking on another year that will surely fly by at the speed of light and the days of fun in the sun at the beach and playing with friends until the street lights come on are over.

Good bye freedom, hello homework.

And hello to these cuties who are ready with their backpacks, supplies, new clothes and nerves!

Brooke and Christian go to school together every day as Ashlyn has afternoon kindergarten and Madison's school starts 20 minutes later.

BRACES!

Put on yesterday, the day before school starts. What great timing! Poor thing was so uncomfortable.

Christian is super-duper excited that he gets to be in 2nd grade with his best bud, Harrison. Those two boys! Look out Mrs. Berman! (His brothers Sam and William wanted to get in on the picture).

We couldn't be more thrilled that Brooke got Mrs. Babcock! She's the best!!!

Madison is starting 7th grade and was eagerly met by her buddies Bridget, Malory and Fatimah once she arrived at her locker. I think these same girls were in her 6th grade picture, too.

Now it's time for Ashlyn to go to school. I made her a tote bag (recommended for K) and she picked out the fabric. It's so cute!

Walking our last baby in to kindergarten.

She has two lovely and wonderful teachers (who've had all the Merrill kids!).

Mrs. Barkman and Mrs. Zdenek ... we love you!

They eagerly hugged Ashlyn and said "Our last Merrill!"

Ashlyn found her desk and was so excited that dad was able to escape work for a few minutes to walk her in.

She jumped right in and became the line leader and had a great first day of school. Not knowing anyone in her class, we were a bit concerned, but pleased for the opportunity for her to grow and learn to make new friends. The first thing she said after school was, "I made a new friend!"

On the 2nd day of school, Ashlyn's still so excited and loves to dress up for it and have her hair done just so. I wish I took a picture of her on the 3rd day when she had Shirley Temple curls.

Being goofy and posing. Soooo Ashlyn.

Another School Year Has Begun

Summer quickly came to a close so we made one last-ditch effort at the beach. We went to Malibu on Aug 31, the day before school started, which I haven't been to in a long time, and were so glad we did! It was glorious! The best beach day of the summer (go figure) and it was such a relaxing and pleasant day.

Notice in the background that huge yacht just off the Malibu pier? Apparently it belongs to a Russian billionaire and is one of the largest in the world. It only costs $300 million. Check out the link as it will give you a video tour of the vessel. Quite amazing!

The first day of school is here!

Brooke 4th grade, Madison 6th grade, Ashlyn Pre-K, Christian 1st grade.

Brooke is in a 4/5 split and has the same teacher as last year for 3rd. Let's hope it goes well! There are a lot more kids in the upper grades, so her class will be quite full.

Christian is super excited that his BFF Harrison is in his class. He was hoping they would be seated next to each other, too. I told him that even if they were, I'd have the teacher move them, but she'd probably figure it out in the first 5 minutes of class that they shouldn't be sitting together. That would be the equivalent of a 6 hour playdate!

After we went to the elementary school, we took Madison to the Middle School. John really wanted to see her open her locker because . . .

He decorated it the night before!

She quickly met up with friends: Hayley, Fatima, and Jenna.

Fatima just returned from spending the summer in Palestine. It was very sweet - she handed Madison a gift bag and inside was a beautiful silver necklace of Bethlehem with "Madison" engraved on the back; a candleholder with the Nativity carved; and a ceramic plate of Bethlehem. Even though Fatima is Muslim, she was so sweet to consider that Madison would appreciate relics from the birthplace of Christ. Fatima's mother said that if we ever wanted to go tour the Holy Land, we would have to stay with her mother, who lives in Bethlehem, where she would feed and house us and take good care of us! Despite the cultural differences, religious differences, and of course political differences, it is nice to know that people are capable of loving each other regardless. THAT'S what this life is about and the way it should be.

At noon, Ashlyn got to finally go to her class where she quickly met up with her besties: Caroline and Eliza.

Three days a week, I will have all of my children in school for a whopping 2 1/2 hours. What's a girl to do? Seriously! I've never had them all in school at the same time before!

I'll tell you what a girl did the two days we've had so far . . . the first day about a dozen of us moms met for lunch right after drop off which was so fun and everyone was a bit giddy - then I went home to get some work (for Xirrus) done which lasted about 2 seconds because it was time to start the pick up routine . . . which takes a whole HOUR! So annoying. The 2nd day I spent at the elementary school doing PFA stuff, then ran errands. I'll let you know when and where I find the Bon Bons! It may just be the worlds best-kept secret.

Back to School

Today is the day! Among the nerves, there was excitement.

I am very sad that summer is over as I have enjoyed being able to play with my kids everyday. Now it is time for another chapter in life, another routine, a new beginning.

We took pictures out front, like we always do, on the way to school.

Madison is starting 5th grade, her last year at Maple Elementary. (sniff).

Brooke is now 3rd grade and was not the happiest with her teacher assignment, but I think it will be a great fit. Brooke has only heard that the teacher is "strict" - maybe that's why I like it.

Brooke all settled in her classroom at the 'girl' table.

Christian with his buddy Tim (who is in Madison's class). Tim always allows Christian to play with him during the Father and Son Camp-out. It's really cute - Tim saw Christian walking by, called out to him and ran over to see him. Christian thought that was pretty cool. I wonder if it has anything to do with the little crush Tim has had on Madison? He could be pretty smart - get in good with the little brother. Sorry Tim, you have to get in good with the parents! ha!

Madison in line ready to go into her class room - she happened go glance over at me. I'm glad she's not embarrassed by me taking so many pictures. I'm also glad that there were many (many!) other parents doing the same thing. The teacher had to excuse us so she could start teaching! I wonder if next year we will all be there at the junior high taking pictures and holding our kids' hands?

What?

Junior high?

Did I just say that?

Nooooo!

I don't think I'll let her go to junior high.

Madison found her desk. I think the kids are all overwhelmed at the sheer amount of books and things they have. There was no room on the desk for anything! It's such a big class, too: 36 kids! I would feel claustrophobic. Notice Tim sitting right behind her; I think he'll be stoked.

Christian is in p.m. kindergarten. He was very, very excited to go and wanted to stay at school when the dropped the girls off this morning. He starts at 11:15, so we went back later. I made him a tote bag and he thought it was very cool... like Indiana Jones.

He is ready for K!

His best bud Harrison also started K, but is in a different class.

That could be a good thing since they have a habit of playing non-stop and not paying attention to the teacher.

Christian with Mrs. Zdenek (above) and Mrs. Barkman (below). They team teach and both Brooke and Madison had them. They are awesome ladies - he'll have a great year!

He got right down to business at his desk!

I got to clean the house when I got home . . . and it stayed clean for the whole hour (because Ashlyn is napping)! It hasn't been this clean or quiet for the entire summer.

Now it's time to pick up the kids. I'm so anxious to hear how their day went and it will be interesting to see how many minutes it takes before the house is destroyed.