It's That Time of Year Again

The halls and rooms of both the High School and Middle School are eerily quiet.  This last full week of September is Interim week.  I don't know how excited the teachers are for this adventure, or even some of the students, but I think this experience is an amazing opportunity.  High School left last Friday, 8th grade on Saturday, 7th on Sunday and 5-6 left this morning, but I saw a 5th grade teacher getting a run in as I was on my way home from the drop-off for 6th grade.

The drawback?...the 4AM wake-up call today to have William breakfasted and walked to school for 5:00!

OH, and I'm sending my firstborn on a plane without me for the first time too!  Seasoned pro that he is at flying, that doesn't really concern me, but it's another milestone, I guess.  You might remember last year, if not, HERE is a reminder of where we were then.

All Packed...

Zebra was trying his best to make it difficult to leave too...

A room full of excited kids (those who are actually awake) while they receive last-minute reminders about acting like civilized humans on the plane.

They're headed to Xiamen for 4 days, which is south of here and on the coast.

On Saturday, the weather looked like this:

Today it has calmed down to this...

All Aboard!

One last hug and kiss and on the bus he went.  We talked about the bear and suggested a smaller friend...no deal, Polar had to go too.

On the agenda:

Hiking and visiting a tea plantation

Doing service projects with and for a Hakka tribe

There will be a beach day

Orienteering

Having fun and growing in spirit!

Hopefully, he will be able to check one or two of these boxes too...

We will miss him, but really look forward to pictures and stories when he returns late Thursday night.

Just think...I'll do this with BOTH of them next year!