Getting back into a routine

It has been a long week and a half as the kids got settled into school last week and I tried to get settled back into a routine.  Michelle is having a lot of fun at middle school, but is starting to feel the pressure of homework.  She also comes home telling me everyday about all these guys that have crushes on her.  I was never a popular kid, boys didn't have crushes on me, so I am glad she is the opposite, but I have also been stressing to her that she better have all A's on her report card in just 4 more weeks.  JJ is also constantly talking about girls.  I spoke with his teacher last Friday and he is the life of the party, and has several girls following after him with puppy dog eyes.

We had one misstep on the bus last week between Irwin and JJ leading me to drive Jim to and from school everyday.  I just can't put him in situations where he might not succeed, and the lack of supervision on the bus, mixed with all the other kids personalities and problems, proved to not be a good place for him.

This Tuesday was Isaac's first day of his 5 day a week, 3 yr old preschool.  He was SO excited to go back to school and he loves his new Spiderman shoes (as you can see in the picture above).  Jessica has actually transitioned well to having no one home and I am enjoying the quiet during the day.  I told my mom yesterday that I am finally starting to decompress from all the noise this summer...and then the kids get home from school.

Now starts the busy fall schedule.  We literally have to arrange dinner around activities.  This afternoon, from 4:45 to 5:30 the kids have karate.  Then JJ has basketball practice (yay they found a coach) at 6:00.  I will make dinner before I leave and James will eat with the kids while I take JJ to basketball and JJ will eat when we get home.  Last night church started for all the kids AND Jim was signed up for boyscouts.  Tomorrow night is the leadership karate class and then on Saturday we have a soccer and a basketball game.  Sunday will be chruch, then relaxation day, and cleaning day, as we prepare to go back to school on Monday.  Oh and Michelle has Girl Scouts which means I have to make a run to the GS Store sometime tomorrow.  Jim will have soccer practice on Tuesdays and JJ basketball on Thursdays.  In a couple of weeks volleyball will start up for Skylar.  It is exhausting but it makes the afternoons/evenings go by fast.