Welcome to 5th Grade!

Anna officially began 5th grade on August 29th!  She is off to a great start and described her first day as "amazing."  There are lots of big changes for Anna this school year.

First, Anna is officially "upstairs," which is where grades 5-8 have classes.  This means that she has her very own locker.  This was a major topic of discussion over the summer as she planned her locker decorations and was very concerned about whether she would get a top or bottom locker (she got a top locker).  She also practiced with her combination lock.

Second, Anna has a slightly different uniform skirt this year.  While this is not a big deal to Anna, it was a big deal to her mom who quickly realized the smallest skirt was way too long and would require mom to alter it (if only we had planned ahead to get it to grandma).  Nothing strikes terror into Theresa like opening a sewing box, but the threat of sending her daughter to school in skirts that are way too long was way bigger.  Two skirts are fixed, one to go.

Third, Anna's friend Ruby switched to St. Mark this year.  Ruby lives around the corner and moved into the neighborhood last year from Great Britain.  She and Anna met on swim team this summer and really hit it off - hanging out the rest of the summer.  Anna was thrilled to have Ruby join 5th grade at St. Mark and is showing her the ropes.

Fourth, Anna has one of the new teachers this year for homeroom - Mr. Jacoby.  Anna is also switching some of her classes this year, which is very exciting.

Monday was an awesome first day, not just because of school but because Dad took Anna and Ruby to the local waterpark in the afternoon to celebrate (or rather reward Anna for finally finishing her summer school work).  Joe floated around the lazy river while the girls hit the water slides.  Anna concluded the week with a pool party with some friend at a local pool.  All in all it was a great week.  Stay tuned for more 5th grade adventures......