Connor, Katie and Keera

Connor is actually already doing work, so let's hope his sophomore year is a little more smooth than freshman year.  He seems to like his classes, as much as a 15 year old boy can and he is intent on learning how to drive....turns 16 in December. (Nicki is also in picture because we had power at this point, they did not have it yet, so she slept over and went to school with Katie.)

Katie liked her first few days as a freshmen.  She loves her Spanish teacher and she does not care for her English teacher :(  .   She found out Friday that she did not make the volleyball team.  I know I am her mother, but some of the kids they did keep did not ever play a day in the rec league in town.  Katie played from 3d grade until now.  She also spent a lot of time at volleyball games last year, watching Kelly play and selling stuff at the concession stand.  We all want to say our kids should make every team, but in this case, she really should have made this team.  The worst part for her is that her best friend and her cousin/best friend made it.  They will be doing pasta dinners together and having team fun while Katie has to watch.  I am really proud of Nicki for making it, but I am so sad for Katie.

Once again, she is teaching me...(my kids are really good at teaching me things).  She had her sad moment, which she does not share too much with me...wants to cry alone...and then she stood tall and didn't want to talk about it.  I tried to talk her into trying out for soccer (which one of her other good friends plays) because they have 6 spots open (apparently soccer is not the in sport anymore), but she does not want to play. 

I really think as a parent we feel things twice as deeply as if we were living it ourselves....I have been sad and not wanting to do anything all weekend.  I guess I need to follow her lead.  I just know there will be hard moments for her in the next few months and I wish I could make those better for her.

Keera had a good first day of school....she was given the job of line leader for the week (which was only 2 days long, but still worth it).  She is the first student to be "star of the week" this week.  She gets to be the teacher's assistant.  She also received her dance lesson schedule in the mail.  This is new for us since Katie had no interest in dance lessons.  We went out and bought her tap shoes, ballet shoes and jazz shoes (yikes).  She has been tapping all weekend.  She asked me to show her some steps and I actually remembered one or two.  I can't wait to see her in that role.

All in all we survived the first week-hurricane, disappointments and early rising.  Let's see how the next 35 weeks go....lol.