Let the games begin!!

School started Tuesday for us here in the Northwest... well for the 6th and 9th graders that is. The official full day was Wednesday. Melissa is still a little disappointed because Kinders dont start school until next week. She was all jazzed to go the first day. My kids got a free day for Tuesday but I had to work because both my morning and afternoon runs have a high school on it. Mornings I drive for South Salem HS and for Harrit Elem over in West Salem. Then afternoons I go back to South Salem HS and take those kids home, buzz over to Englewood Elem for 4 kids (yes a measly 4 kids!) take them home on my way to Hayesville Elem in NE Salem. Most of those kids get off at the first stop which is a HUGE apartment complex. A few more stops in NE Salem, then I head to Keizer to take home 6 Russian program kids so I get to drive all over Keizer. This year is going to be SOOOOO much better than last year. My HS kids are great - they are fun to joke with. My Elem kids are really well behaved... only a few kinders that I will have to train to stay in their seats and keep hands to themselves. Whom ever had this route last year is a SAINT!
The kids had a great first week. Both Serena and John are in blended classes this year. John's is a 4th-5th grade blend with the level of teaching in the blend times at 5th grade. Serena's is a 2nd-3rd grade blend. I think it will help keep Serena in the top of the class. No home work this first week of course but I expect John to bring some home on Monday. I am happy that both kids the home work is brought home on Monday and due by Friday. I will have to keep on them to work on it and not procrastinate but it gives me a bit of breathing room when I come home exhausted some nights and I dont want to even worry about it. I am so blessed to have Dan in my life. He is a great Dad and stays on the kids about that kind of stuff. He helps them out while I am making dinner... truly an amazing person!
I am actually excited about this school year. It is John's last year in grade school and Melissa is starting public school. My routes are going to be so much easier making me a MUCH happier person.