journal entry

We are settling into the new school year.
Molly has made a smooth transition to high school. Tonight is the open house at the high school, I'm excited to meet some of her and Austin's teachers. She is a little worried that she is not cut out for honors history. She talked with her teacher who encouraged her to remain in the class. I think things will even out as she gets a handle on the changes of high school. She joined the thespian club which meets during lunch once a week and seems to really enjoy that. She likes the new choir teacher - yeah.
Molly seems to be enjoying early-morning seminary. She has been called to be the president of the freshman class. The bishop told her that her teachers see her as a leader as the class is fairly large - what a compliment. She seems very excited and I think the call is just what she needed to get out of bed and get to seminary on time. :)
Austin continues to amaze me with his calm, quiet personality. Nothing seems to shake him. He is doing great with his grades and seems to enjoy his classes more this year than last. He is really wanting to get his driving license. He even asked if we would take him on Saturday - hmmm...Our insurance may double in just a few days.
Austin seems to enjoy being on the seminary council, although he won't admit it. He went the first day prepared with getting-to-know you games and he seems to like the theme they have chosen this year.
I volunteered for the first time this school year at the elementary school yesterday. I worked in Reid's class first for just over an hour. Grading papers, cutting, separating book orders. I actually really enjoyed the busy work. Reid seemed happy to see me. I then went to Chase's classroom and did things for his teacher. Chase knew I was coming but he thought I was going to actually teach the class (like I did last Spring with Junior Achievement) so he told me when we got home he was a little disappointed but fine with it.
Reid, Chase and Ryan all have teachers who I am unfamiliar with. I had heard wonderful things about each of them and requested all three and am so pleased so far. They are fabulous people and the boys love them.
Ryan is doing o.k. He stayed on green Monday and Tuesday...hopefully the report will be well when he gets home today. I have been working at home with him on writing his letters. He continues to think he needs to write them absolutely perfectly. I explained to him that if he could do that he would not need to be in kindergarten. I think a lightbulb went off in his head with that knowledge. Now I just need to continue to remind him that he does not need to be perfect until he really knows it is true. His teacher came for a home visit Monday and he really enjoyed having her here, showing her his toys and playing with her.
Ryan has three other friends who are in his class who live in our neighborhood and also go to our church! I think this really helps him feel more comfortable. The four of us have been switching watching kids in the a.m. and then we walk all four kids to the bus so when it is not our day we have a couple additional hours to get things done. It has been very nice for Ryan to have playmates and work on his social skills and nice for me to get errands done.

I have been a little lost into the Twilight book series lately. I know...I'm a couple years behing the rest of society. I read Twilight last week and borrowed new moon from a friend on Sunday. I about finished it last night but waited and read the last chapter this morning. Now just to find someone who has book three I could borrow.

I am currently working on a combined ym/yw activity for one week from tonight - the laurels are in charge. (We have one laurel!) We are doing an etiquette dinner. A big undertaking but it is coming along nicely. We have assigned out a cook, speakers, a give-away prize for the best mannered table, a friend is making table squares, and a couple has offered to put up beautiful ceiling lights for atmosphere! WHEW! So really all that is left is purchasing plastic tablecloths (we are serving spaghetti and hated to stain the ward's linens) and centerpieces along with making the invitations and the name place cards. We are going with a black and white theme and I so hope the youth respond positively.

I made myself an appointment with the orthopedic surgeon. I do not know if it is because it is monsoon season (which brings drastic changes in the weather) but my hips have been bothering me pretty severely lately. I am supposed to have a yearly check since my artificial hip was placed and I have not gone for over two years so it is time. James is secretly hoping I'll get a handicap placard - I just want some relief from the pain.

Tomorrow night is our post camp evaluation meeting to wrap it all up. It will be great to see camp friends and discuss things we can do to make next year even better. I'm looking forward to it.