Where to start...

I know it has been FOREVER since I blogged last. Sorry about that. It isn't that we don't have anything to write about either. The problem is that we are so busy doing, it is hard to find time to write. Now, if someone would like to donate a laptop to my family so I could blog from work, I would promise to blog much more often. It seems lately, that if I'm not at work I'm either sleeping or busy doing & not doing much sitting at the computer either. I'll try to bring you all up to speed but I'll do it in short bursts so as to not tire all of you out=)
I should probably start with the fact that we are all fine. Rachel had a bad case of strep throat last week but other than that, we have all been healthy. Kids have just a week left of school before their summer vacation starts & they are anxious for that.
I figure I should probably start with an update on the state Science Olympiad that Rachel qualified for that I had mentioned previously. It was held at MI State University on May 2. We had to meet the bus at the kids' school to leave @ 6 a.m. We left Stephen & Joshua with Gramma @ our house & boy, is it a good thing we did! It was a full day! Rachel competed in 3 competitions, same as at regionals: ecology, crave the wave, & pentathalon. There were 48 schools from around the state competing that day. Our school came in 28th overall which isn't the greatest but yet the fact that we were even at the state level competition was a big deal. Rachel ended up placing 16th, 19th, & 24th (I think). So no medals this time. However, there were 2 competitions that our school did medal in which is not too bad for our first showing. Overall, it was a lot of fun & a great experience for us all! They're talking about changes to the program that would allow up to 5 9th graders to come back & compete next year & Rachel piped right up & said to count her in for that.
Speaking of Rachel, next Thursday (June 4th) is her 8th grade graduation! They make quite a big deal out of it at this school which I am not used to but can rather understand. Most schools the kids will all be together for the following years in high school. Not so with the charter schools. The kids are all from many different school districts & will now be scattered next year as they enter high school. It is rather tough when you realize some of these kids have been together for the last 9 years. You are all invited if you would like to come!
Well, I think that is enough to start with. I hope to get back on later today to tell you about Rachel & my trip to DC a couple of weeks ago. Right now, though, laundry is calling!