First day of School!

I guess it's required to do a first day of school post so here I go.
First day of school this year was a mixture of emotions. (mostly relief and happiness) We truly had the best summer ever. Lots of milestones this year. Luke turned 16 and became not such a chore for me to haul around. Love his new independence and maturity. He budgets his own time and money now. He is never late for curfew (unless getting pulled over by a suspicious copper). He always checks in when he gets home. He is oh-so-busy being a responsible, involved, teenager. Can't tell you how thankful I am that we have pushed him through life, and he has tons of his own drive, to get him to this point. High School, where he is busy 5 days a week with MMHS golf team (which is currently in 1st place in their region), and 3 days a week with super league soccer. My only problem with Luke is putting weight on him. He is lean and strong and so busy that he forgets to eat. He also gets all his homework done without being prodded, has recently gained a tolerability for reading, and is often seen helping his friends with their homework. Love him. Proud of him. Can't wait to see what his future holds.
Jake was apprehensive to start school this year which is new for him. He has always been my 'no fear' type kid. I think this new found shyness is linked to our fabulous summer and not wanting to let it go! Once there though, he quickly got involved in things that interest him (orchestra not being one of them). I think he digs being the oldest grade in the school. Having an A and B day just like Luke. He has mentioned several times that he wants to go in and meet with the principle and propose having 'Hat Day' more than once a year. I think this is a wonderful show of leadership. Being the smart Mom I am, I told him to go tell her she happens to look lovely in hats and he would like to see what else she can pull off! Baseball is still running his extra time slots, but not nearly as busy as in the spring. Wade has promised him if he can pitch a No Hitter this season he will take him to see a San Francisco Giants game this year. Lofty goal but totally reachable for this kid. Favorite day so far for Jake? Playing a team with kids 2 years older and 3 feet taller than him. Striking them out. Picking them off on first base. Making them cry. Stud.
Zac is a party animal at heart and hates being cooped up for long. He can still be heard at 9 PM yelling "I don't want to go to school tomorrow!" You can imagine how much sympathy that cry receives in this house. His teacher seems great though, and I'm sure will help him and I through another year. It's a wonderful thing when you can e-mail a teacher about a reading level error in the morning, and get a response and proper level reading material home that afternoon. Zac is also FINALLY on his own little super league baseball team. He has dreamed of this moment for a cagillion days and nights. His new team is the Spanish Fork Extreme, and as their colors are orange and blue, he has a new found love for anything and everything orange! As any 8U player, he has alot of work to do, but has already made a few great outs from third, and is battling at every at bat. My favorite part of the deal? Not having him pester me every 5 minutes at the ballpark! My other favorite part? Watching my baby boy belong to a group, work hard at something, make new friends, and learn to win and loose. Not so favorite part? Missing all of Jake's games because I'm in another time zone chaperoning Zac. So is the life of me.

The only pix allowed at my house on this First day of school...



A self portrait using the 'rule of 3's' for digital photography class...


goofing off with friends in digital photography class... (sorry about the teenage birdie finger)