First Two Months of School and Election Day in In the Meadow

We have reached the two month marker of the twins starting high school and Aaron starting sixth grade. This is the longest time I have gone between entries, I think. Being the parent of high schoolers takes more time than I thought. Kayla and Timmy have been adjusting to ninth grade. They have more freedom than they did in middle school, but also more responsibility. They can go to their lockers between all their classes instead of just at scheduled times like in middle school. The twins have had to plan for the best time to get their books and supplies. They are on a ninth grade “team” where a group of kids has the same teachers. This is good as it gives them a support system. The teachers coordinate so they do not have too many assignments at one time.. One period out of each day is for an orientation class where they learn things like organization and get help with different subjects. I remember I had a program like this in ninth grade and it was very helpful.

At lunch they can sit out in the hall in front of the cafeteria. There is also an outdoor area they can go to on nice days.. There is more of an expectation that they will keep track of their own homework than in middle school. In eighth grade the teachers checked their planners. In ninth grade they are responsible for writing down their own homework assignments.

Timmy has been on the school soccer team. He has been playing on the freshman and junior varsity teams. He has been playing different positions. Sometimes when they have a game he plays in both the freshman and jv game. Kayla has been on the school diving team. She started out doing basic dives and has worked her way up to some of the more complex dives with multiple flips. At first she was nervous about going off the high platform but she has become more confident with that. Not all schools have a high platform diving board so they have only had the high platform event at two meets. The pool where Kayla’s school practices does not have a high platform. They have gone to the local YMCA for that.

The twins also went to the homecoming dance. It was their first formal dance. They each went with groups of friends. Not a lot of the kids are really dating yet at this age.

Aaron has been in sixth grade for two months now. He has grown up quite a bit since last year. His teacher says he does much better at working quietly and focusing on a task. He likes social studies and math this year. He went to a birthday party last Saturday. He has also been active in Scouts. They have gone on several camping trips this fall. There are plans to go snowshoeing this winter, which Aaron is looking forward to.

My husband and I are going to vote this afternoon. In the next Presidential election Kayla and Timmy will be old enough to vote. I remember the first election I was old enough to vote in was when Bill Clinton was elected. If Hillary Clinton runs for President in 2020, the twins’ first election could also have a Clinton in it.

I am going to catch up with all my faves. Sorry I have been away so long.