The School Year Has Begun.

First day of school style.

Our 2013-2014 school year has begun.  Sinobia started 8th grade last Monday!  It blows my mind at how fast her middle school years have gone by.  Seems like yesterday that she was heading off to 6th grade with her bright yellow "first day of school" jeans on.  This year, as a veteran middle-schooler, she embraced a more laid back outfit for the return to school.  So cute, so cool, so hipster, so Sinobia!

She returned home after the first day of school, pleased with her new teachers and pleasantly surprised to, for the first time, have one of Gabby's teachers.  Sinobia academic path so far, has been designed for her not to have any teachers that her big sister had.  Following the foot-steps of a sibling can be a difficult thing.  We learned early on that our two girls were so significantly different from each other, that they deserved a chance to not have to be compared all of the time.  I believe that most teachers wouldn't realize they were related to each other unless they were told.  They look absolutely nothing alike, their personalities and temperaments are so different as well as how they approach school and life.  Our parenting styles change between the two of them too.  What works for one, will pretty much not work for the other.  No re-using or recycling parenting strategies for us.

Anyway, Sinobia has the privilege to have one of Gabby's favorite middle school teachers this year.  Gabby is excited for Sinobia to have a chance to work with this teacher and of course, Sinobia is excited to take on the challenge of letting this teacher know she is nothing like her sister:)

Speaking of Gabby, she seems to be adjusting well to life in California.  What's so hard about adjusting to life in an area where it never rains and is always sunny?  She is getting settled into her classes and college life. She has gone to SJSU's first football game, a few parties and road the train to find the Mall! I feel less sad about her being gone every time I hear her voice on the phone.  She sounds happy, she's doing fine, she's going to be OK.

So it has all begun...no TV, early wake-ups, making lunches, homework, carpooling and more socializing with friends.  Life is good.  No complaints.

Two thumbs up....life is good!