A New Semester

Today starts the second semester at school. How could it possibly already be the second semester? A lot of changes start today.
Ming is being integrated into 2 regular classes. Whippee! I can't believe that after only 5 months in American school, he is already ready to join the regular 6th grade classes. He will be going to Math and English. English is with our family favorite teacher, Mr. Krogh. Madison is a tiny bit jealous. Please pray for him that it will not be too overwhelming and that he will do well.

Today starts Jay's last semester of high school! This has been a year of grieving for me as this will be Jay's last year at home and our last year as a family as we know it. So I started this morning a little emotional - Jay on the other hand is excited. He is very ready to be done with high school. Please pray for him as he has 3 dive meets this week and he is feeling a little under the weather.

Our high school is on block scheduling, so today starts new classes for Jay and Jesse. The high school is also implementing a new lunch schedule, breaking the one lunch time into two. A bummer for Jess - the friends he usually eats with have the other lunch time. I offered to come eat lunch with him, but he declined my offer. What's up with that? :)

The other three kids continue life as normal, counting the days until summer. And on a 10 degree day, summer sounds great to me!

JESSE IS 14!

Today is Jesse's 14th birthday! It doesn't seem possible that he is 14. It seems like just yesterday he was 2 years old running around with his cute little glasses on saying, "great job Mom, great job!"
We had a fun day celebrating starting with a family breakfast, lunch out with mom, special birthday dinner and cake, and presents. Jesse is looking forward to a party with his friends on Friday.

Solo & Ensemble Contest

Today Jesse participated in solo and ensemble contest with his band. He performed in a percussion ensemble and played a baritone saxophone solo. I am so proud of Jesse for all the hard work and determination he put it to do this and do it well. He received Excellent ratings in both. Great job Jesse!

We have a winner in the family!

Today Jesse was in his school's Geography Bee and he won!
I am amazed at what that boy knows. I think I knew about half of the right answers.
Now he has to take a 70 question multiple choice test that will be sent to the state headquarters. The best 100 middle school kids will then be chosen to compete at the state level. We'll let you know how he does.
Congratulations Jesse!
Update: We just got the Chief Moses Middle School newspaper in the mail. The headline on the front page is
Bowser Wins Geography Bee The article says "Emerging triumphant from this tight contest was Jesse Bowser. He successfully answered the final two questions before him and edged out second place finisher, Zach Walker."