a new world

I am so very happy that we switched schools this year! I am impressed with the communication from all the staff. Some might think it is too much to get daily emails from your school, teachers and director (principal), but I like it. We had such a rough school year last year. I know we are only a week into school, but I am truly loving it, as do the Wardlings.

Erin and Libby are getting into the groove of their new school too. They really miss their gal pals, but are making new pals. We knew it would take some time, but I am confident that all will be well with them.

Clyde is enjoying his new school too. He is basking in the positivity and support that a good Principal and team can give. I think this year is gonna totally rock!

I've been helping a bit back at the shop...what's on the docket you ask?? Just a little Gumbie cat.

back to school 2012-2013

 

 

Hoping for a successful school year, for all of my Wardlings!

thrift stores

Pictures were taken in downtown Emerald City, while we were waiting for the Bargain Box to open. Jacob was Wolverine!)


The Bargain Box, Goodwill, and Salvation army have been my best friends this summer. The younger three wardlings, as mentioned in the previous post, got into a new charter school here in the Emerald City. The charter school is a uniform school. Our very first uniformed school. There is even a uniform committee at school. (I think that having a committee goes too far.) Numerous emails and board meetings, parents meetings have gone on and on about uniforms. Should they have logo's embroidered on them? shades of red? Jumpers for girls? undershirts? pull overs and cardigans.  Alright already!! They settled on red, white, gray, or black polos (polo dresses for girls are suitable) and khaki pants/shorts/skorts/capris. Outfitting 3 for uniforms is a bit expensive. Once the final word was given (and really before that too) I started popping in the thrift stores to see what we could find. What a big blessing thrift stores are!! Thanks to a friend to passes along some hand-me-downs and the thrift stores, we have only needed to purchase 6 new polo shirts total for 3 wardlings and our lovely Grammy and Papa bought 3 of those.  I have been able to find everything else in a next to new condition for only $1.75 per piece. Totally awesome. Thanks to my folks too for their back to school generosity with socks and undies for the wardlings. Those items are always needed here.
   I love thrift stores. We even found Erin her priest laurel prom dress today for under $5. Thrift stores are hit and miss. With 5 children we can usually find something that someone needs or sometimes just likes. I really like looking through stuff to see what we can find. It is really the thrill of the hunt for me.  Libby did some back to school shopping at goodwill this week and asked, "why do people give away such nice clothes?" I just said, aren't you glad that they do?? I know I am.

summer time

We have just a little over a week until school begins again for the Wardlings, all but me. The Wardlings are all sick of spending time with each other. They have gone to my parents house, the beach, various camps, and now those fun ativities have stopped and reality of the upcoming school year has begun.
     Clyde switched jobs this year. Big move for us. I think that he will be happier, which will make us all happier. With his switch, the girls had to switch schools too. Clyde took them to sign up for their classes at their new High School. I am hoping that they will be happy too.  The younger Wardlings have switched schools too. They all got into a new Charter school here in the Emerald City. I am hopeful that they will be successful in school year.
  

girls camp

Girls camp is this week. My girls are there and I am here. I chose not to participate this year. I have mixed feelings about it. To be honest, I truly love to go to girls camp. The smell of the fires, hearing girls scream when they are are the big swing, teaching survival skills, being in nature, being around the young women ...to me is spectacular. There are negatives to girls camp, which are out of our control sometimes...bugs, heat, sweat, temperaments. Last year, so many negatives outweighed the positives that in order for me to have peace, I elected not to go this year. It has been a bitter sweet decision. Maybe next year.