First Day of School

Rachel and Aaron started school at their new school this morning. It took forever to jump through all of the hoops to get them enrolled. We had to take their shot records to the county health department where they also performed a hearing, vision and dental screening. Now this can also be done with your family doctor as long as said doctor is licensed in our new state. The other states must be severely lacking (please hear that with all the sarcasm you know I can muster). We tried to get this taken care of when we were house hunting, but with the school rush they only hand out 100 numbers which were gone by 7:30 a.m. The lady I spoke with that day said if we came once we had moved it would be much easier since the school rush would be over. She also told us that that particular branch of the health department was the closest to our new house. When we returned yesterday morning at 8:30 we were given #38 and told to return at 12:30 because all the morning slots were full. It took us about 25 minutes to get across town. (This is where I began my mental list of why I will miss living in a small town.) P.K. asked for a list of the other locations and luckily the first lady was wrong and there was one closer to our house. If I ever run into said lady again, I will not take her word as gospel.

Once we arrived at the other branch we had the privilege of sitting in "Germville" for an hour and a half. The kids' shots were up to date and they let me give them $54 to let someone shine a flashlight in the kids' mouths, have them read an eye chart and listen for the beep in the little headphones. I wanted to let them and the school corporation and anyone else involved in blessing us with this little field trip know that my family was perfectly healthy when we entered the facility, but I have to question what we picked up in there. I was never so thankful for hand sanitizer in my life.

Then in addition to our lease, we needed to produce a utility bill. Since we just had our utilities put in our names on Friday, we had to go to the utility company to pick up a letter stating we live where we say we do. Nice. (Again, sarcasm.) I can understand why the school asks for what they do, but I don't understand why there isn't a grace period.

We have had so much fun this summer and it is always hard to see it come to an end. This year was especially hard because I am so nervous for them being the new kids. We registered them yesterday afternoon. The secretary is really sweet and the assistant principal made a point of introducing herself and welcoming the kids. We took them in this morning a bit early to meet their teachers and walk them to their classes.

Rachel's teacher will be referred to as Ice Lady until the conviction to forgive is very strong in my heart. (You all may need to pray for me on this one.) The secretary walked us to her classroom door and said to Ice Lady, "Rachel is here." To which the teacher replied, "I don't have an extra desk." She says, "Hi" to Rachel and walks us to a table in her room. She looks at the secretary and says, "Do I have the lowest enrollment in my class?" She still has not said anything to either P.K. or me. I am trying to make eye contact with the lady to introduce myself. We had a similar scenario at the beginning of school with Rachel's teacher last year. This made last year's episode seem nice. Anyway, she comes to me and says, "I'm sorry I don't have a desk for her. They usually put the new kids in the class with the smallest enrollment." I reply by extending my right hand and telling her my name. She sat down with Rachel and seemed to be able to relate to children. I'm sure Rachel didn't care. At least I hope she didn't because she was so excited this morning. I'm praying that today goes well. I told her it was cool that she got to sit at the special table for now. I just wish Ice Lady would have greeted her and just said something similar. As soon as we left the room the secretary immediately apologized for the "icy welcome." I told her I noticed.

Aaron's teacher was wonderful. She greeted Aaron first and then P.K. and me right away. She even took time to speak to Hannah. She had Aaron's name on his desk and handed me a stack of information. Last year the Lord saw fit to make me the head room mom in Rachel's class. I think it was so I would have to learn to work with her teacher. I hope I don't have to relearn that lesson and work with Ice Lady.


Rachel's first day of fourth grade and Aaron's first day of second grade. Hannah just likes to have her picture taken. Yes, that is a spot on Aaron's shirt where he spilled his milk. It dried before we got to school. Why change? What a mom!

The following are some moving odds and ends. Enjoy!

Each of the kids has a "treasure drawer." They can put whatever they want in it. When we moved we packed each drawer individually and I let them unpack them when we arrived. Aaron is carefully unpacking his treasures.

Hannah has always been able to fall asleep anywhere in any position. We were cracking up at her asleep on the hardwood floor with her feet inside the pillowcase. She was watching t.v. Just to prove she does have a bed...

The girls had red metal bunk beds which we sold before we left the old house. We have bought them each a new bed. Hannah decided she wanted a jungle room. I have no idea where she came up with that idea. Her bed has butterflies at the top of the headboard. You can't really make them out in the picture. While I was at Target with Rachel and Aaron shopping for school supplies last night we found this comforter. It has some butterflies on it which Hannah apparently associates with the jungle. Then we found the cool raffia bed skirt, the crocodile rug and the jungle animal wall decals. Rachel, Aaron and I decorated her room and then surprised her. Thankfully she liked it because she has seriously been eyeing a lot of leopard print stuff.

This is Rachel on her new bed. The walls were already that peachy orange color and Rachel loved it. She chose her own new bedding which works really well. This picture makes her room look really small, but this is basically half of it. We bought her a large bed with the plan of her room being a guest room when we have company. (Yes, Shannon, your days of sleeping on the futon in the living room are over!)

Now, back to those boxes!