for mom

Mom wants an update, so mom will get an update! All is fairly well here. The girls have both made GREAT returns to school this year. Abby's adjusted to changing teachers/classrooms for all her subjects and looks so old, graduated from the jumper to the plaid skirt! She's playing intramural volleyball with the girls in the 5-8th grades. She's the only 5th grader on her team. Some of Maggie's friends are also on the team (the grammar school goes thru eighth grade, so some of Maggie's friends are still there. Others, like Maggie, chose to move up to high school for 8th grade. Trust me, this is the STRANGEST place I've ever lived!). She is REALLY excited and enjoying it. Tom's been able to make as many of her games so far as I have. And she really enjoys having him there as well.

Maggie has made quite the adjustment to high school, not only in terms of her grades, but also socially. She's maintaining friendships she's made throughout the years, but also making new friends. She's joined a couple clubs and is running with the cross country team. And she's really getting used to being part of a MUCH bigger school -- her class in grammar school was about 42 students, 13 of whom were girls. Now she's got about 150 eighth graders around her, ALL of whom are female. Quite a change!

Maggie finished her first cross country race this past Saturday. I took a photo but she says it's HORRIBLE and that I should delete it (I think that while it's not the most flattering picture of her, it's NOT horrible!). At this particular meet the kids from her grammar school also participated, so we both got to visit with a bunch of people we know from many places. After the meet I took her and two friends to cafe du monde for beignets. Interesting to be with 3 young teenagers! I am so thankful that she has kind friends (and they let me sit with them!).

Tom is back to travelling again. He spent this past week in Washington DC with various people at a conference with the US Energy Department. This week he's in Houston for training. He's back taking karate again as well. Never a dull moment.

Today I am suffering from a cold, but maintaining a positive outlook. While life hasn't "settled down" by any means, I am more comfortable with the new routine (that constantly shifts!). I enjoy the extra time alone with Abby when Maggie's carpool takes her to/from school/cross country. And I enjoy the time with Maggie like yesterday when we spent most of the day together. And I sneak in time with Tom whenever I can......

Ready for fall weather, but I think I'll have to wait a couple more months for that to happen. Sigh.