Here in my neck of Minnesota, school begins the day after Labor Day. That would be today.
Today is Dan’s first day of teaching 6th grade at a new school. For those of you who missed that part of the story (not even sure I really posted much about it, honestly), Dan was let go from his 5th grade position because there weren’t enough students to warrant three 5th grade teachers. The lowest man on the totem pole had to go. The good news? His new job is in the same district, which puts him one year closer to tenure. Fingers crossed for a great year in the 6th grade.
The pics above? Dan in 6th grade and our son, Cole, also in 6th grade. He likes to bring pics of his whole family that reflect the particular year he is teaching. I’ll say this about Cole: he got a lot of the key features from Dan, and he got the pale skin from me. And yet the kid is 100% original. And today is his first day of his senior year in high school.
Speaking of seniors…
My girl is also kicking off her senior year of college this week. I’m so proud of her for doing this whole higher education thing. True, she has responsibly taken on a decent amount of debt, but I feel grateful that she is having this completely immersive experience. I wish that for anyone who wants the opportunity, truly.
And me? Well, you’ll find me still driving Cole to school each day as he hasn’t quite gotten that driver’s license yet. It’s fine by me, honestly, because a) it saves me insurance money, and b) time in a car with your teenager can be highly productive time.
For now, I’m back to work in a very quite house.
And that is what life looks like today.
Ruth says
Here in London, my boy also went back today – Year 6. He’s 10, so I’m thinking that Grade 6 may be the exact equivalent? I’d quite like for him to have Dan as his teacher!
Cathy Zielske says
happy first day!
Gail says
Good luck to all 3 of them this year! Boy that house is going to sound awfully silent for awhile. 🙂
Cathy Zielske says
True! I think the upside is I can easily find the quiet to record any voice overs for videos and classes. lol! 🙂
mary says
Oh the wonderful memories and bonding time I had with our daughter as I drove her home from sports’ practices. There is such a hidden blessing in not giving our teens a car of their own.
Diane says
Congratulations on another year!
Cole is still at home for the time being, anyway. I loved the time in the car with my boys when they were teens, I learned so much about the way they thought, and the kind of men they would become. Brace yourself for when Cole leaves home for college, though, it gets scary quiet around the house, then. Thank goodness for iTunes!
I think Cole got a lot more than his skin coloring from you, by the way. I was just looking at the photos you posted a few weeks back, and trying to decide which child looked like which parent, and other than their coloring, I think Cole favors you, and your daughter favors Dan. I don’t know why I even had that thought, except that someone was comparing me to my granddaughter the other day. Either way, you have a good looking family.
Cathy Zielske says
I agree on the time in the car. 🙂 I love time with him that way!
Gina says
I actually cried (secretly) when my son got his license. As much as it makes things easier, I miss driving him.
Cathy Zielske says
I totally can understand that. 🙂 I have a feeling it’ll still be a while before Cole gets his. We are literally just starting out with him and he has some work to do!
Laura says
I literally heard Garrison Keillor in my head read the beginning of your blog post.
Cathy Zielske says
That’s high praise!