Ok, so I'm a few days behind posting this one. Going back to work full time has kept me very busy, but I'm loving it. I just wish I didn't come home so completely exhausted every night!
Jarod
Jarod also started school full time this year. He is in Mrs. Bayles' class (which is right next to my class). He has loved his class so far and gets to do lots of fun stuff. The best part about first grade - eating lunch at school and having THREE WHOLE RECESSES!! Jarod is taller than most of the kids in his class. He has grown so much over the summer. I had to buy new church clothes for him THREE times just since June (he just wore shorts the other days of the week).
DJ
DJ is in sixth grade - king of the school. His teacher is Mrs. Graham - same teacher Lindsie had (and loved) in sixth grade. His class will be reading buddies for mom's class this year. He is on safety patrol, student council and cyber corps. The worst thing about 6th grade - AN HOUR of homework every night. This is the year he gets braces. He has already started the process of having his jaw expanded to make room for his teeth. And he would like to grow taller like his little brother. He still fits in all his pants from last year!
Lindsie

Good heavens, here is my "baby" in ninth grade! Soon she drives, dates and goes to high school. She is on the Improv team, academic team, choir and before long will be involved in the school play. This year she gets to go to seminary, which so far she absolutely loves. Her teacher is Brother Zito, whose younger brother teaches at my school. She wants to be a wildlife biologist, so since her classes this year count toward high school, she is taking extra science classes. She is a whiz at anything animal and can spout of facts about just about any creature. And she NEVER stops talking!!
So far everyone is doing well. We have a pretty good after school routine going. We have a dinner rotation going so each night one person cooks, someone else sets the table, someone clears table and the last person does the dishes (one person gets the night off). I was worried they would all complain when I gave out the assignments, but they LOVE it. They love to cook (even Jarod), especially they get to choose what they cook. It's not so bad to do dishes when it's only once a week! The best part - mom doesn't have to do everything and the kids are learning how to cook basic meals.
After dinner we have 1/2 hour of homework/reading time that we all do together. It's a nice quiet time that we just get to spend together and it settles everyone down for bed.
We are off to a great start!