We made it to school time folks! This year we have a freshman, a 7th grader, a first grader and two preschoolers! The boys started at a morning program 4 days a week and I was not prepared for how much Enoch would love it. He loves his backpack, he loves going to preschool, he loves playing with the trucks at the preschool. It is so sweet! Ira and Enoch go to the same place (for now, Enoch will be switching to public school preschool in a week, but he'll still go one day with Ira).

Maeve is happy to be back at school with the same teacher and classmates as last year. She's pretty much unfazed by returning to school and she loves walking to and from school with our neighbors.

My older two are definitely feeling the pressures of their higher grade levels and new schools. I'm hoping that by October they'll feel a little more adjusted.

And me? I've had a productive couple of weeks working on my ceramics business. I feel much less stressed and I really enjoy the time I spend with my kids. This has been a great change of pace for everyone!

Here we go! Not sure that the math is correct here, it seems to me that if I have 3 children going to school, I should have less than 2 at home... but I guess it does add up because I really do have 5 kiddos. Whew! I think and hope that having the older three at school will free up some of my life a bit, but the first day all three were at school, there was dirt all over my living room (my poor house plants) and toys everywhere. So am I winning? I think I just need to buy more toys, haha. Or an heirloom play kitchen, right Conor?!

Here's Greta on her first day! She's in sixth grade this year, her last year in Elementary school, although you could say she's a middle schooler because she's doing a middle school curriculum. I really hope Greta has a good year. She has some pretty great friends and she's going to try some new things (basketball, an instrument) this year while continuing with activities she knows and loves (cross country, soccer). How is it possible that she's already this old??

And my Holly girl! Holly is in eighth grade, her last year of middle school. Next year, we won't use numbered grades, instead she'll be a freshman! Okay but let's stay present in this moment. This girl has a heart of gold and I'm really proud of her. She's a hard worker and I'm so grateful she has an awesome friend group at school! I can't imagine Holly having anything other than a good year. Crossing my fingers because those middle school years have the potential to be hard.

And oh my little baby off to kindergarten. I joke that her teacher is going to correct all of our parenting failures, but am I actually joking?! Maeve is very excited about kindergarten. Greta helped her pick out her outfit and did her hair too. When Conor told Maeve he would miss her, Maeve told him that she was going to come back. And then when we were all walking with her to school, she asked us why we were coming. She's just so eager to be a big girl walking to school with Greta and the neighbors. When we were within sight of the school and she could see the quantity of children, Maeve became nervous. And so then I think she was glad her parents were with her! I walked Maeve into her classroom and she was definitely nervous, but she had a great day! Next week she goes every day, full days! I think she's going to be so tired and grumpy, but we'll get through it! She can do it!

And now I'm trying to not think too much of next year when I have 3 children, in 3 different schools and maybe Enoch in preschool? I don't need that anticipatory anxiety!

Here we go! Off to school! Holly is in 7th grade. She takes the bus to school and she gets up early all on her own to get ready to leave! She's a super responsible kiddo.

And we have Greta in 5th grade and K in 1st grade. I love picking them up from school and getting the download. There's often bus buddies drama which in its own little way is funny. Greta loves school. And she wishes she was homeschooled still.

We had our first week of school last week and it went great! I like homeschooling my girls, although I won't lie, I'm tired! Our first day was a little crazy, but that's what I expected. We had a great start! Next week Holly and Greta start classes twice a week in the afternoon. I think that will be the perfect addition to our week. Maeve is in these photos because she plays a very active part in our homeschool ;)

And the living room... I may never had a tidy and clean house ever again. 

Homeschooling feels really right for my daughters this year. It's so much work so it's really important for me to have this assurance. Here we go! 

This past Tuesday, Holly, Greta and I began spanish classes at a school about a 5 minute walk from our apartment. We go for 4 hours and we will go for all of this coming week as well. I sure hope I can get a grip on Spanish. Church today was all a blur. At one point in Relief Society one of the woman began to talk about me. I believe she was telling about how I came to an activity this last week and am welcomed. I panicked a little bit wondering if I was expected to make a comment. But I think that generally it's ok that I don't speak the language well and our church community knows I'm trying to learn. Back to church being a blur today... I can pick out some words but not enough to truly understand! Conor told me that today he made a mental note of today so that in 3 months he could compare and appreciate how far he's come. Hopefully i make progress!

So the girls and I go to school... and I really do like it. It's a challenge for sure! Last week, all the students made ensalada de las fruitas. In it was: piñas, frases, naranjas, papayas, mangos, bananas, cerezas... it was so good! A very fun activity.