MIDDLE SCHOOL MILESTONE

(This is kind of a test. I downloaded Windows Live Writer and am trying to see if that will bypass my picture limit.)  Let’s see how it goes.

We’ve hit a milestone.  The girls are officially in Middle School. 

Now while I’m still a little in awe of the fact that they are old enough to be in Middle School, I have always loved every milestone they have gone through. I’ve never cried on the first day of school, or been sad at End-of-the-Year-Ceremonies.  But that doesn’t mean that I am not the sappiest chick on the block with these things, but I am not depressed about it.  I LOVE it. 

They were pretty nervous the first day.  In true Christy/Xanthe/Xoe style, they didn’t start on the 1st day of school like normal people do.  They started on the 10th day of school since we were on a cruise.  It was all good though because by the time they arrived, everyone else had already figured out their schedules and the whole system.  The girls definitely had a great welcome from all their friends, complete with a friend to show them around their first day.

I told the girls they would love Middle School, even though they were nervous. I just knew the girls, and their personalities, would love having their own lockers, a cool schedule that switched every other day, and switched teachers.  And I was right.  They absolutely love it.  They have  a bunch of friends, they love their teachers, and they are getting great grades.  They get up on their own every morning at 6:05 a.m. to get ready and leave to walk to the bus by 6:55 a.m. (I’m up with them part of the time too).

And every day after school they walk to the Youth Teen Center.  It’s similar to the Ocean Quest Club on the Disney Cruise Ship where it’s a “hang out” place.  They have a place for homework, a computer lab, a movie room with bean bags and screen TV, a basketball court and foosball tables.  They also have to sign in/out and the adults there are great to make friends with them.The girls beg to go there every day after school.  And it’s right across from the Bowling Alley so it’s like Disneyland to them every day.  Well, not exactly, but you get my point. 



The Center also has a program called Edge! where they provide activities and clubs to join… Food Club, Arts/Crafts, Golf Club, Bowling Club, Drama Club, Glee Club, FitLife (they bus them to the gym) and Outdoor Adventure Club (where they can go canoeing, rock wall climbing, etc.). Throughout the summer, they also take big trips to places like Berlin or Paris. They have food there (mostly frozen heat-up food and junk snacks) they can eat when they’re hungry and because the Bowling Center is across the street, they can walk and eat there as well.



Oh, and did I mention, this is all for FREE!  I love it.  It’s such a great thing for the young kids to do so they don’t get into too much trouble.



I wish I had pictures of their 5th Grade Graduation, but alas, I think the pictures accidentally got deleted.  I’ve been trying to get copies from their friends but can’t seem to get them to actually send the pictures to me.  Their graduation was great.  They earned high grades, and made the Honor Roll, despite the fact they got there in the later in the year. I’m so very proud of them!  We’ll keep you updated throughout their Middle School Year.