August 2009

The kids started school on August 10th. This was a milestone for me as I realized that I am one step closer to being an empty nester. I now officially have no more kids at home during the day. Megan started junior high and was very concerned that she would have no friends and would never find her classes. Her very best friend is only in ONE class (orchestra). I assured her that she would be able to make new friends and that all she had to do was smile. She didn’t believe me even after I informed her that smiles are contagious and that anyone she smiled at would smile back. I dropped her off for her first day and didn’t get any phone calls from the school during the day so assumed she was doing okay.

They boys go to school a whole hour later than Megan. I was a little worried about Anthony. At “Meet The Teacher Night” he wouldn’t say anything to the teacher and laid down on the floor in embarrassment. I didn’t get any calls from his teacher either. Anthony likes to point out that there are students in his class that don’t listen to the teacher or pay attention. I’m hoping he’s not one of them.

Andrew was the tallest person in his class. Teachers kept giving him a strange look wondering if he was lining up with the wrong class. He was very stressed out when he got home because Anthony and Megan both had homework and he didn’t have any. I guess he felt left out. He seems to make friends easily which is good because most of the kids in his class this year are new.

Megan described her first day as “Awkward” but on the second day had exciting news. It seems she tried an experiment. She smiled at a girl in her class (and of course the girl smiled back). On the third day that girl plopped down next to her in gym class and said “let’s be friends”. I think they have all the same classes – except Orchestra. This week Megan shared the secret with her new friend and they practiced smiling at random people. So far it’s worked every time. Maybe I should write a book…”The Secret II”…..

Andrew and Anthony were invited to a birthday party for two girls in their class at school. I dropped them off and gave them my phone number to call me when the party was over. I guess the mom promptly lost my phone number. So four hours later I decided I better drive over and check on them. The party was just winding down but the boys had started crying because they thought I’d left them forever. Plus Anthony had a breakdown after losing one of his candy bags and threw his water gun on the ground as part of his tantrum. Sigh.

The dollar movies are back! Well the $2 movies at any rate. We used to go as a family and then one weekend we went and it had closed down with no warning. I happened to be on Fandango the other day and it was back! So we went to see Night at the Museum II and only spent $10. That’s all five of us for the price of one regular movie ticket. Yay!!

Megan is beginning to enjoy Young Women’s. But who wouldn’t! They make popcorn balls, get miniature loaves of bread on Sunday, had a back to school party with lots of candy, and now they are going ice-blocking. This Sunday she walked out of class and the first thing she said was “you didn’t tell me that when I’m 16 I get to group date!”. I told her we’d discuss it when she was 18.

Zach has also started his 10th grade year. He has four AP classes (they count as college classes). He’s decided his English class is going to be boring because every day they start the class by breaking sentences down into their component. It’s going to be all about grammar rather than creative writing (which he enjoys). For his History class he was given the option to do some reading over the summer for extra credit. He read “Salt: A world History” and “Guns, Germs, and Steel” by Jared Diamond. He liked the book on Salt and said the Guns book was the most boring book he’d ever read which made me feel better because I hated it too and it’s supposed to be this great book.

Jason had a job interview in Grand Junction CO. They flew him out and interviewed him but selected someone local so that was disappointing. He is considering going back to Utah to work for his friend again. The bank offered us a modification package. However, we have a three month trial period first (to make sure we can actually pay it). So we aren’t moving yet.

I auditioned and was selected to sing with the Arizona Mormon Choir. We rehearse every Thursday night and have several concerts already lined up. I love singing with a good choir!!!

And that’s about it for the Scotts!

www.thegreatscottsarizona.blogspot.