An Assessment Of the Year So Far
We're 2 weeks into the new school year. So far all the kids are adjusting well and liking their teachers and classes. The youngest (7th grade) had some trouble deciding if she wanted to stay in the advanced math class she was put into, since she struggled a bit last year. She feels confident she can keep up and she wants to challenge herself so she's sticking wth it. The twins (12th grade) got their messy schedules worked out with their high school counselor. One is doing a few classes at the high school, including a college English class, and then getting out early for "co-op" which we used to call work release when I was in school. Her sister is doing dual-enrollment at the community college. She goes to two morning college classes Mon-Thurs, and one civics class at the high school in the afternoon Mon-Fri before leaving early for work release. This is why we decided to get them a second car. Sharing a car with this schedule would have been a huge pain in the ass.
One of the twins has struggled with anxiety and depression for years. She's had a lot of ups and downs. We've had her in and out of therapy and doctor's appointments over the years, but the help they provided didn't work for her. Recently we took her to a psychiatrist to try and get her the help she needs, and after a couple of sessions they prescribed her some medication. It's working! She said for the first time in years she feels clear and calm. She finally feels like herself and it shows. She's been so happy and so much fun to be around. Just in time for what could be a very different and stressful senior year of high school.
Looking ahead, we have the twins' 18th birthday coming up in mid-September. We're either going to have a get together here at the house or rent out a venue to have a party. Our oldest turns 23 at the end of October. My wife and the 12-year-old are going to California for her 13th birthday at the beginning of November.
We're finally getting some signs of fall. Chilly mornings and evenings; warm afternoons. Looking back, I think we had a pretty nice summer. We didn't do a lot but we did have a nice trip to Boston and Maine. I was very happy to go to Acadia National Park again, this time with my wife and stepdaughter. We also got a nice long weekend at the Eastern shore. All in all, on a personal and family level, it's been a pretty good year so far. I'm looking forwward to hopefully finishing it up on a high note.
One of the twins has struggled with anxiety and depression for years. She's had a lot of ups and downs. We've had her in and out of therapy and doctor's appointments over the years, but the help they provided didn't work for her. Recently we took her to a psychiatrist to try and get her the help she needs, and after a couple of sessions they prescribed her some medication. It's working! She said for the first time in years she feels clear and calm. She finally feels like herself and it shows. She's been so happy and so much fun to be around. Just in time for what could be a very different and stressful senior year of high school.
Looking ahead, we have the twins' 18th birthday coming up in mid-September. We're either going to have a get together here at the house or rent out a venue to have a party. Our oldest turns 23 at the end of October. My wife and the 12-year-old are going to California for her 13th birthday at the beginning of November.
We're finally getting some signs of fall. Chilly mornings and evenings; warm afternoons. Looking back, I think we had a pretty nice summer. We didn't do a lot but we did have a nice trip to Boston and Maine. I was very happy to go to Acadia National Park again, this time with my wife and stepdaughter. We also got a nice long weekend at the Eastern shore. All in all, on a personal and family level, it's been a pretty good year so far. I'm looking forwward to hopefully finishing it up on a high note.