Resistance is Futile

 Well, look at this motley bunch.  Between all the giggles and toots and cries and scuffles, Scott gave each child a blessing, from Tziporah to Golda, and then me, the glue that this whole educational operation hinges on.  I said to Golda, "What if we just home school, but we don't study, we just play?"  Ever practical, she replied, "Um, I'd never graduate from high school and you'd probably kill some of us."  I guess we'll opt for going back to school.

 Twin sisters.  They are loving sharing a room, even though Ari has converted neat, tidy little Xanthe to the dark side.  Their room is the aftermath of Hurricane Isaac right now...and all summer.  They were good at cleaning it but much better at immediately trashing it.

 And speaking of hurricanes, here is Tziporah, tasting all the possible wardrobe choices that the kids laid out.  Yummy shoes!

 Here's Golda going over the nine pages of homework that are due on the first day of school.  She read Cry, the Beloved Country over the summer for the Honors English/AP World Civilization program.  She has already had serious misgivings about taking these classes, made worse by the girl at the pool whose mom said she and her daughter both skipped a family vacation to complete homework for this class.  I wouldn't have it any other way for Golda.  We want her in the hard classes with the smart kids who can set a good example for her and make her work hard to compete.  We're proud of you, Golda!

 Yes, we drove Golda to the bus stop two blocks away.  We joked that when Tizzy goes to high school, Scott and I will both be asleep when she leaves.  She'll wake us up and we'll say, "Oh, you're going to Davis this year?  High school already?  Well, good luck!"

 Round two:  Ruby, off to 8th grade at Fairfield Jr. in her new zebra dress.  She is going to have a great year, make a ton of new friends and do a LOT of studying.  She is so ambitious and serious, she signed up for honors math, science, history and English.  I'm glad she chose the honors classes because - don't tell her - we really wouldn't have given her a choice.  :)  Have fun, Ruby!  I'm really going to miss having Ruby around to quietly take care of all the kids and to hang out with the adults.  At least she'll still be around at 11 pm, since she seems to be unable to go to bed when we ask her to!  Why go to bed when you could be dancing around the living room or trying out a new recipe in the kitchen?  Besides, if Ruby was asleep, who would annoy Golda while she's trying to finish homework?

 These kids used to be the Littles, but now they're the Middles!  Three musketeers, all Morgan Mustangs, just like Scott and I were.

 Look at that little Ari with her brood of younger siblings.  She had a schedule written down for this morning that started at 6:02 am and included ten minutes for practicing cello and 55 minutes for waiting for school to start.  We'll have to tweak that a little bit, but I'm glad she had a written plan.  Ruby did Ari's hair and she was ready for life as a 5th grader.  In her blessing last night, she asked Scott to bless her that she could avoid drama and bullies.  I have a feeling the drama is inherent in her nature and therefore difficult to escape, but we hope for the best.  Ari's challenge this year will be to manage her time and her emotions so that she can be successful in school, music, dance and life.  She is helpful and loving and great at planning.  Watch out, fifth grade!

 Freestone had a quarter ready so he could buy a new pencil on his way in.  Fortunately, Scott had quarters for the girls too.  Freestone has been dying to go to school all summer.  It really incensed him that summer had to come along and keep him from school.  I could never figure it out.  A 9-year-old boy wanting to go to school?  I think he just really had a good experience last year.  I hope this year measures up.  Mrs.  Povey knew who he was and welcomed him with a hug.  I think it's going to be another amazing year for our pint-sized francophile.  He has a tender, but goofy heart.  I have heard reports of Freestone watching out for friends around him who need a protective presence.  We couldn't ask for a better personality trait in a kid, could we?

He did have a 4th grade moment this morning when I told him it was time to practice.  He threw down the shirt he was putting on and screamed, "I guess you just HATE it when I get ready for school, then!"  Amazingly enough, he survived a few minutes of fiddling, but just barely.

Xanthe and Jade, with Mrs. Arnell in the background.  I fought with the school to keep Xanthe in the French program after she was diagnosed with some learning issues last year.  (Borderline auditory processing disorder)  After a lot of soul searching, we decided to pull her out of the program, only to be told that we couldn't because we signed an agreement to stay in.  So we're in...until she gets kicked out.  Ha ha.  I feel good about it for now, and I hope that Xanthe is able to feel successful.  She certainly has the drive and enthusiasm for school!  She seemed happy and confident going in.  What a sweetheart!

Suddenly, it was just the babies and me.  Ptolemy dropped out of preschool before it even started because, besides the cost, I just didn't want to part with him.  I need someone to go with me to the zoo and the aquarium and the store.  The first thing Ptolemy said when he noticed the quiet was, "OK, wet's go get Abe."  So Abe is here, helping PT throw gravel in the driveway and Tziporah is resting up for her turn in the spotlight...during the brief time after Ptolemy goes down for a nap and before Golda gets home from high school.  Bread is in the oven, the kitchen is finally clean and dinner is done.

Did I tell you that this is the best time ever?