Back to School 2024

Back to school looked a little different this year for Gemma. She decided to switch schools for 8th grade and is going to Ascension Lutheran where she has been doing confirmation classes. She is sad to leave Liv but is excited to have uniforms again and meet new friends and have smaller classes.

She is now a Dolphin!! They had a back to school "Sneak and Treat" where you go to campus a few days before school starts and get your locker and see your classroom, then enjoy an ice cream or popsicle.

She has three teachers this year, Mr Gottmer, Mrs. Hartson and Mrs. Yates. Mr Gottmer is the homeroom teacher and also Math and Science. Mrs Yates is History and religion and Mrs Hartson is English.

We did some back to school lunch prep with a big bowl of pasta salad to carb load and some chocolate chip  muffins. 

We washed and decorated the CRV to get ready for school.

Lily is also having a big change this year. She is driving herself to school! She passed her driving test two weeks before school started and drove herself every day to band camp. She is also taking an early class, a "0" period and gets out after fifth period at 2:20PM. It is a definite early start to her normal tired-teen self but it is nice to get out early and have less traffic in the student parking lot.

We went out to breakfast the morning before school starts to have one last hurrah and say goodbye to summer.

Lily wore her Edinburgh castle shirt from Scotland and her new converse she got for her birthday.

She stole Grampy's car while he is in England and we are going to "borrow" it when they aren't using it.

She made it safely to the parking lot in plenty of time to get a good spot. It can get really crazy there with all teen drivers! 

She prefers to get there early and then chill in the car for a minute before heading to her first class, AP statistics!

Gemma started her new school the same day. Ascension middle school bell rings at 8:20AM so we leave the house about 8am. She was actually thrilled to wear uniforms again. 

The stress of picking out outfits the night before and feeling like people are judging you for what you wear was not a fun part of middle school. Don't get me wrong, she loves to shop, but the pressures of trying to fit in was not easy.

We dropped by Liv's on the first morning to get a hug and a quick pic. This is the first time there are not in the same school together and it is a bit sad. 

Ascension had this cute photo op backdrop for a morning pic. 

The teachers are all so enthused about the year and happy to have Gemma join 8th grade. There are only 8 kids in her class, six boys and two girls!! Gemma has become friends with Lily the other 8th grade girl and they all hang out with the 7th grade at lunch, PE and recess and there are 12 girls in that grade.

We are looking forward to a great year of learning and new friendships and hopefully low stress.

Gemma is already settling in nicely and making friends. 

Summer Fun

A little recap of some summer highlights. Starting all the way back in June.

We finished up the school year with Lily performing with the band at High School Graduation. 

They live-stream it so you don't even have to go sit in the hot, crowded stadium to enjoy the band!

I went to see Ben graduate from elementary school and got to hype him up for the start of middle school!

He received a certificate voted by his peers as "leader of the pack".

Gemma volunteered at Ascension VBS. She has a few of her new classmates there with her and has been doing a great job with the little kids.

It is Farm themed this year with barnyard animals and cowboys. 

Gemma got to spend a day at Hurricane Harbor water park with cousins! She has a season pass and they happened to be going. 

After Lily was recovered enough from her wisdom teeth removal we had made an appointment for hair cuts at the Paul Mitchell Salon school. Gemma got a couple inch trim and Lily got a big cut and some layers added! Getting ready for our summer vacation! 

We squeezed in a couple beach days with Gemma and Liv. It is always a toss up when it is hot at home and you head to the beach if it will be clear or foggy or windy. It is always a nice break though. 

Summer always ends with two grueling weeks of band camp. Lily does not enjoy the long days and sweaty hot weather so it is always a celebration when it is finished!

They wrap up the hard two weeks with a parent presentation and potluck dinner.

The kids pile their plates full of food and just like the Bible story of the loaves and fishes somehow it always works out. Then they invite the parents onto the field so the student can demonstrate what they have learned.

Marching is definitely a skill and it not just walking in choreographed circles while playing. It is a lot harder than it looks.

I think Alex missed his calling. If they had band in the UK he would have found his place!

The evening light from the stadium lights everyone aglow. 

Gemma missed out on doing color guard for this season but she has a couple girls that are Freshman this year that are excited to have her next year. Our band family is what keeps it fun and makes it worth it!

They performed the first section of their routine "Bon Voyage" and it was fantastic. 

We can't wait to see how this season goes and they always manage to impress us year after year!