Getting Ready for Back to School

The last few weeks have been very busy at our house.  We had three separate registrations days at two different schools.   All of the kids got their schedules, and I got to pay fees.   All three of the kids have a pretty good schedule this year.  Another big event that happened this month, was my now Senior, had a Senior photo session.  She did not want to have a full session, but she did have a yearbook session.  This is not her actual photo, it was just taken on my phone when she was done.  I did not realize it was a bit blurry until I got home.  We all love her final photo and I cant wait to get  copies.  

In addition to getting ready for back to school, Kara is getting ready to go back to dance.  We had a meet and greet the teacher party, we she meet the two new instructors at the studio. She has known one almost her whole life, because she used to dance at the studio.  Kara loved her whens he was little.  Now she is back after going to college and getting married.   Her new hip hop teacher seems really cool.  He has traveled as a professional dancer, and now that he is back home is teaching hip hop.  One the way to meeting with the studio owner to decide our final classes, we were caught in yet another really bad summer storm. This picture was taken in the middle of the afternoon!  By the time we got to the studio, the rain had started coming down, and the power was out.  We were able to still meet though, thanks to emergency lights.  By the time we were done, the rain had stopped.  While our town missed the worst of it, the counties to our east got even more flooding and toppled trees.  125,000 people were without power for like the 5th time this summer.  We were lucky enough to have only lost it once. (you can read about it here) 

We are now in the final weekend of the summer, and then it is back to school and all the craziness that comes with it.   

August on Overload

I don't know about you, but these last few weeks before the kids go back to school have felt like they are on overdrive.   We were enjoying a pretty relaxing summer, when boom overnight we had a very full schedule.  We have already had in the last week or so, a doctors appointment, two dentist  appointments, and shopping for some school  clothes and  supplies. Upcoming in the next two weeks there are three separate registration days, an orthodontist appointment,, dance open house, another dentist appointment, and a Senior photo session.   There is literally something going on almost every single day for the rest of the month. 

Luckily we do not need much in school supplies now that they are in older grades, mostly just binders, notebooks, pencils and pens.   All three of my kids still have backpacks that are in good shape.  Kara ended up with a bonus backpack, because she really thought her backpack from last school year had a rip in it.  I knew that she always carried a lot in it, and it was very heavy, so I thought maybe she was right.  Luckily the backpack she wanted was on sale, and had an additional Cartwheel discount.  Once we got home, I checked her old backpack.  It turns out she was half right.  Her backpack was ripped, but it was the one from the year before last.   There is a backpack that Kyle really likes as well. If I find it on clearance in the next few weeks, I will pick it up for later.    

The kids also do not need a lot in the way of school clothes.  They still have a lot of clothes that fit.  I did pick up a few new things, but not much.   

Today ended up being a good day. I got to spend it one on one with my oldest daughter who needed an outfit for her Senior pictures.  We spent some time at the mall, and had sushi for lunch. We both love sushi, and don't get to eat it very often.  We found an outfit at Forever 21 that we both really liked.  Now that we know what she is going to wear, we need to figure out the hair.  She is looking forward to getting a haircut after letting her hair grow out all summer. I can't wait to see how it turns out. 

Back to Normal

I am sorry to have been quite for so long. We have had a few quiet weeks.  It is the lull before the back to school craziness that will be happening in the next few weeks.  After 16 days without my car, I finally got it back today! In addition to the popped tire, there had been some under damage which we did not know about  until the car was towed. It is as good as new now. I have been driving not one, but two loaners in the last few weeks. We were originally told that our car would be finished last Thursday.  On Friday morning we found out that they needed just a little more time. We were also told that they would give us a free loaner car, since our insurance paid loaner needed to be turned in.  We dropped off one car, and went straight to the other car rental place for the other.  This past weekend, I had a high school reunion in another state.  I had not decided for sure if I was going to go, but when I did not get my car back I did not think it was a good idea to put 350 miles on the loaner car.  Thankfully with the magic of Facebook,  I have seen so many pictures that I feel like I was there.   

My daughter has gone out in public in cosplay a few more times. I have been trying to take  her picture, but every time she sees my phone she turns away.   I admit,  I had to laugh when she wore the wig when we went out to eat a new restaurant in town and she saw several people she knew.  One of those people used to be her reading teacher from elementary school.  She was shocked when she saw how my kids were  now.  She was so relieved to find out that  my daughter  was wearing  wig, and did not cut off her gorgeous hair. The other people we saw were our neighbors.  I am sure they were confused by the wig as well.  

Now that we are heading into August, we are starting back to school mode. We have bought a few clothes and school supplies.  Registration days are coming up fast and school will be here before we know it.  I am in no hurry though, summer is my favorite time of the year.