getting into a new routine

Megan went off for her first day back at school this morning. I hope she's having a good time. Last week we met with her teacher and discussed Megan's academic goals for the year, as part of putting together her Student Learning Plan and starting a portfolio (which is how a school that lets each kid work according to their interest and ability level keeps track of what the kids are doing!). We really hope they will follow through with her this year on meeting Megan's academic goals - it will help us decide whether we want to stay with this school, which I love but which may not be the best place for Megan to progress academically for the time being. We'll see.

Calum is working up to his first full day at his new daycare, which will happen on Friday. Today he is there for three and a half hours and tomorrow he'll stay for 4-5 hrs. He seems delighted to be there and is adjusting well to the new setting and new people. It's odd how he can react so positively to new situations some times, and then other times they bring out the worst in him.

I'm trying to figure out a way to get my school work done while making sure the kids get to where they need to be every day. We're still seeing if there's a way we could sell our van and be car-free for a few years to help us pay for my education without being constantly poor. Given the cost of gas these days and the rarity of on-campus parking passes it seems that the best way for me and Calum to get to where we need to be is by bus, so we tried that out this morning. It's tricky taking a 4 yr old on a very crowded bus or train but I think we can make it work and it's a nice opportunity for us to have some time together.

Meanwhile, Jeff's still off work so that's helping us ease into this new routine...

Time to go and get Calum! I'll see if I can post more soon about our trips to Portland on labor day weekend and Seattle last weekend.