Lots Going On!

It has been a busy few days as we are getting back to the school routine after holiday break. Ashton finished his essays for application to the APEX honors academy for middle school next year. He received very nice recommendation letters from his teachers for the accelerated program, especially for placement in advance mathematics. Yay Ashton! I have been on the phone with his current school and his OK elementary school to obtain transcripts and test scores to complete the application process. 

Our kitchen disposal died over break. So we purchased a new one and worked on installation today. Yippee! 

We are planning a vacation to Alaska this coming June once school lets out for the summer. We will be flying to Canada and then taking a cruise up the coast to see glaciers, wildlife, etc. So, along with planning we need to get the boys’ passport renewed for the brief stay in Vancouver. So I have spent time filling out more paperwork. We have appointments for pictures and submission through the post office on Friday. 

Yesterday we took our cars in for oil changes and recall maintenance. So nice to have a Subaru dealer right in town!!!  

Today we received a call from the high school nurse that one of Zach’s infant immunizations was not compliant with AZ regulations. Nothing medically to worry about. He is fine. Just a difference in state guidelines. So the boys now have a pediatrician! - another item off my to-do list. We will take Zach tomorrow morning for a booster shot before school. I also made Zach an appointment next week to see the optometrist as, like both of his parents at the same age, he has started to have issues with his distance vision. 

What else? Oh yes! We filled out all the paperwork and fees for Zach to receive an iPad for high school course work. The school system received a grant such that all middle school and high school students will be given, via rental, iPads to supplement their curriculum. Zach will receive his at the end of the month. Ashton will receive his iPad when he starts middle school next year. 

In cooking news, I made my homemade Jambalaya last night for dinner to rave reviews from the boys. So simple! Derek made toasted pastrami sandwiches tonight that rival our favorite Firehouse Subs! (So yes- the grocery stores were happy to see us again since we were absent over the weekend- ha!) 

Stay tuned for all sorts of spring fun! Ash is joining his school Engineering/LEGO Explorer Club which starts in February on Thursdays. Chess action will be ramping up again. Zach’s high school tennis program starts in February. Regional Honors orchestra auditions for Zach are coming up at the end of the month. I’m running a half marathon February 1st. Woohoo! Let’s go 2020!