Back to School

Where has summer gone?  I know for me, my summer vacation flew by.  I enjoy summer for so many reasons.  If I've never mentioned it before, I am a teacher assistant, which means, I have the summers off.  I know, it's amazing.  You'll get no complaints from me.  When my kids were little, it was (is) the best job to have.  When they were off from school, I was off.  Who could ask for more.  Now that my kids are grown, I love it for so many different reasons.  Josh started his sophomore year at Oswego State this year  and to be able to spend time with him while he is home over the summer is the best.  Chloe started her senior year in high school and there are still things during the year and over the summer that I am thrilled I am available for.

On Tuesday August 21st Mark and I took Josh back to school in Oswego.  He went up a few days early :( because he was a part of the group that helps everyone else move in and he needed to train and prepare.

Just before we left in our driveway

We took Josh out to breakfast on the way up.

This is Josh's dorm

I took some "before" pictures of what Josh's room looked like before the arranged and made it the way they wanted. It is the exact same room from last year.

Before

Before

The second picture below is Josh's bed.  He does not like his lofted at all.  He tried it last year and it lasted all but one night.  He went skydiving this summer so it's not the height that bothers him.

After

After

These were all the door names that their RA made for them last year.  They saved them all and put them up again this year.  The two at the bottom are from their new RA from this year.  There certainly isn't any question as to whose room this is.

 This is Josh and his roommate Blaise.    He graduated from Liverpool.  They actually first met when they were batboys together with the Syracuse Chiefs years ago.  When Josh went up for an accepted students day back when he was a Senior in high school, he ran into Blaise there.  It was then that they decided to become roommates.  Here they are on their second go 'round.  They have become very good friends.

This photo brings tears to my eyes...literally.  After we had said our goodbyes, they turned and walked away.  I went fumbling for my camera to try and get that "tear-jerker" picture.  Being the "blubbering idiot" that I was, this was the best I could do.  Do you see the two of them on the right walking away?  This could have been a way better picture if I wasn't so emotional and had my wits about me.  Oh well, it's better than nothing.

Incase you are wondering where OSU is located, it's the highlighted area above.  The campus is literally right on Lake Ontario.  His dorm is actually right on the water.  If you look at the picture above that shows his dorm, the lake is right behind his building.

GO LAKERS!!!

Sending a senior off to school on the first day is so much different than when they were little.  First off, Chloe wasn't thrilled about taking the bus.  This year she has a car that she can drive to and from school.  She even signed up for a parking spot and got a pass.  Well, her car is in the shop.  Yes, Josh and Chloe's new car that i posted about here is in the BODY shop.  All I'll say is, accident.  A few weeks ago. Yes, everyone is OK (except for the car of course). So, Chloe needed to take the bus for the first few weeks of school. No, she wouldn't let me walk her to the bus stop and take a picture of her getting on the bus, so this is the best you'll get.

She even gave me a hard time taking a few pictures of her getting ready.  I don't know why, she never has.  At least I got a few.

Oh, that face!

Ever since the kids have been attending school, I've taken a picture of them holding up how many fingers of the grade they will be in that year.  Chloe needed some help and her dad came to the rescue.

Finally, a nice picture.

Even shopping for school supplies was uneventful.  Chloe didn't even want to go until she had attended each of her classes to find out exactly what she needed.  The district puts up a list on their website for each class so we can do the shopping over the summer.  She claims that they ask for so much more than they actually use so she thought of waiting for find out what is really needed.  I've got to hand it to her, she is becoming quite the thrifty shopper.  She probably saved me a few bucks that way.

GO WILDCATS!!!

The times they are a changing.  Our back to school has changed over the years.  By next year it will be off to college for the both of them.  Emotionally, I'm not too sure how I'll do.  You may need to check back sometime in October or November because it may take me that long to compose myself to be able to blog about it.  Until then, I will just enjoy every moment of my children's life.  I have some great memories to look back on and some awesome memories to look forward to.  Thank you God for them all, the good and the bad (mostly good, though).  I have the greatest kids in the world.

Holly