In pursuit of balance: Before Another Year Begins

In the land of Angus, we are busy finding back packs, cleaning out old homework we didn't turn in, dusting off locker materials and getting ready to find new clothes so we can go back to school. But I wanted to just post at least once about the amazing year that was 6th and 3rd grade. Both kids were in new school buildings this year and had really fabulous years.

Seren started middle school!
And with middle school came more independence, no standing in line with your classmates, a new locker and 6 classes to manage. The homework was no joke. It was an amazingly challenging transition to go from homework taking like 30 minutes to sometimes several hours. She did a ton this year as she couldn't help herself from trying out new sports, activities and clubs. While still really shy, she really blossomed!

The fall brought cross country with the club team as the middle school doesn't have an official team until 7th grade. She did really well.

Fall brought 6th grade camp which was overnight camp for the entire 6th grade! She got to go zip lining and have so many adventures! I stayed over the 2nd night and had a blast! This school is amazing!

Then she joined science Olympiad which was a year long pursuit that none of us enjoyed. :) She had to build a 'roller coaster' and it took Sam and Seren hours and hours to build the thing! She also studied physiology and got 3rd place with her teammate!

She also joined a small basketball team that was co-led by three local dads. I think they lost every single game but one. Basketball was not her thing but it made the winter pass by!

This year was her second year taking lessons and playing the upright bass. She joined the fiddle club during the school year and was selected to play as part of a special ensemble in the spring concert. She also won a scholarship to a summer camp for her music!

In March she got her braces put on. It is like living with a lizard with the amount of licking, sucking and general grossness that accompany having to wear braces but she is taking it in stride!

She also turned 12! So that was amazing! She celebrated by having an 1980s party which was awesome!!!

She also met a friend which challenged her to come out of her shell! With this friend, they joined a new band in which they play the drums, electric ukelele and electric bass. They performed twice- once at a talent show which blew everyone away- and once at a local event they call the Mardi Gras. They did well there but Seren was not pleased with her performance. Life is all about leaning in and trying new things!

And right after school ended she went to 4 nights of music camp! It was awesome! So happy for her- she found her people!

Wyeth the Third Grader!

Meanwhile, Wyeth was learning the ropes in a new school too! As a third grader, he was the youngest in the 3-5 building. He had a fabulous teacher who kept him motivated! He did cross county as well with dad as the coach. He really went from hating running to being very fast by the end of the season which was fabulous to see.

He kept up his electric bass work and performed with "the band" and with Seren during two recitals with his teacher. He played Crazy Little Thing Called Love, Sweet Child of Mine, and Stairway to Heaven. This mom couldn't be more proud of these guys!

He also continued to play piano. The winter recital was a mess because he performed with a high fever which in retrospect was a poor choice! Spring went much better!

He played flag football in the fall and enjoyed the season but had a bit more fun the year prior. But man is that ever cute!

He turned 9 and had a nerf gun battle party and small sleepover! it was awesome!!

In the winter he played basketball with his team. They had a great season and his coach was amazing!

Spring brought Science Olympiad where he had to launch a rocket and fly a paper airplane. Which was really low stress and a lot of fun. His teams didn't win anything but the small group of 3rd graders from our school enjoyed being together.

He actually participated in scouts the whole academic year which was a first. The year prior, we basically missed nearly every meeting due to conflicting schedules! He enjoys being outdoors with the boys which is a lot of fun. They crafted boats and made stools out of wood and generally did manly man things!

In the spring he joined the running club and ran well at the one race they have towards the end of the year.

And of course there were family things too! Like an epic Halloween!