School Starts!

School started about a week earlier than usual this year, but we were as ready as we could be.  This is a big year for Ashley - she starts high school and Seminary.  Fortunately, she had one full week of school before Seminary started.  This gave her a chance to ease into the high school routine before she had to start getting up at 5am every day.  

Our Favorite Freshman!

On the first day of school, the upperclassmen are dismissed at 11:00 am and the Freshmen stay for what is called "Frosh Fest."  It's basically a big orientation, assembly and tour of the school.  Ashley said, her first day went well, she made it to all her classes on time and has at least one friend in every one of her classes.  

The following week, Ashley started Seminary.  It's only been a couple of days, but so far so good.  Honestly, as we went to the parent/student meeting, I left thinking, "this is intense, it's pretty impressive that so many kids do this!"  It takes something special to get up early every morning and go to Seminary.  Also, the requirements and coursework are pretty intense as well, but I know it will be a great blessing to her and she will definitely be able to handle it.

Fortunately, for me I don't have to drive her this year!  Talk about a great blessing.  She is able to ride with another family to Seminary and then another student who is a Senior and has a car, drives her and another kid to school.  Lucky me!  I get up to help her get ready and see her out the door, but fortunately, I don't have to be dressed or leave the house!

Over 2 hours after Ashley leaves, it's time for Paige to leave for 4th grade!  She rides the bus and this year, I am babysitting some of her friends before and after school, so she gets to go with friends.  

Our Favorite Fourth Grader

These girls are the big kids at the bus stop, almost everyone else is a Kindergartner!

Paige also had a great first day and came home happy, safe and sound!  

Here are my two favorite quotes from the girls about the first day of school:

Ashley - "I'm pretty sure 'M' comes before 'P"."  (this is what she had to tell a fellow classmate as they were working on an alphabetizing activity, geez!)

Paige - "It was an awesome first day, but there sure is A LOT to remember.  I'm serious Mom, a lot more stuff than in 3rd grade."

We celebrated their survival of day one with some frozen custard for dessert later that night!  They deserved it.