School Resumes

 

The morning we awoke to begin our new school year was drastically different from the weekend prior.  Instead of bright blue skies with great big puffy clouds and the sun shining while the heat warmed you up just enough for you to want a cool breeze or the air conditioner on, we were greeted by clouds, a bit of gloom, a light intermittent breeze that activated the tunes of the wind chimes, and temperatures low enough that we could spend the entire day with all of the windows open.  We were thankful for the beautiful weekend we had just experienced and then began to open windows and plan reading time out on the porch and were thankful for the uniqueness of each season.   

This school year I only have four students and we range in grades from elementary to high school.  Connor has begun his freshman year and is already loving that he works independently from the rest of the pack.  It affords him more time flexibility to fit in both textbook and tool time--which he very much appreciates.  

Sonja stepped up to junior high this year and with Connor's promotion, she is promoted by default.  Sonja is now the pack leader--at least for group work.  Junior high status brings with it a heavier work load, but Sonja is up to the task--even if she doesn't fully understand the work this year has in store for her (she's still saying it's not more, silly girl).  :-)

Riley is finishing up elementary school this year.  It's odd to think that I'll only have one elementary student next year.  Suddenly the kids are feeling very grown...and I think this is a transitory growth year for them all.  In each of their first day photos, their faces seem bigger and somewhat awkward in each of their maturity and developmental  phases.   

Hannah is in fourth grade this year.  This advances her in Sunday school status as well.  Sonja graduated out of Sunday school classes and is now a teacher's aide and Hannah moved into class with Riley and the big kids.   I'm glad Riley and Hannah get some time together.  So often it's Riley and Sonja that team up.  The new set up allows for both of them to grow closer in relationship (which will hopefully help them in school collaboration as well) and help them to develop new personal skills as a shake up in group dynamics is bound to affect interactions.  Hannah is feeling pretty accomplished in her new status, but now she's got to step up her maturity in different ways.  It'll be a big year for our Miss H.  

So here we go--diving into the 2021-2022 school year!  May God bless our days with productivity and positive growth.  <3