Another first day of school...

Yup, it is fall again (as defined by the education system, not the location of the Earth in its path around the Sun), which means school has started. The signs have been everywhere for the last week or so.... packs of 18-year olds wandering aimlessly, together... more people in the campus coffee shops, increased traffic... and well, students actually stopping by my office to say hello. Though teaching takes a bit more effort than I wish it would sometimes... it is usually fun when I am not grading paper or preparing lectures... and well, Day 1 went well and the students were reasonably engaged... hell, they were even awake!

Today represents another milestone too... the "new normal." Danette worked part time the last two weeks to help ease the family and herself into the process getting back into life in the fast lane... okay, maybe the center lane for us. Today, my classes started and Danette started full-time again... so starting today is the new normal, whatever that turns out to be.... so far it has gone fine, though we are a little extra sleepy because Sara was a little less than sleepy during the night... but that too is part of what is normal now... (hmm... where is that Diet Coke...)

All else is well, Sara seems to have really started to take notice of objects in the world and is taking to her toys now.. it is really entertaining to watch her try to stuff a stuffed, fabric cube slightly smaller than her head, using jerky newborn movements no less, into her mouth... it is a little less entertaining when she gets frustrated that it doesn work as well as she would like, but hey... she is learning. In fact, she keeps shown signs that she might roll over in the near future... which means baby proofing is commencing. I am starting with the peeling paint on the trim (in her eyesight) first (note to fellow homeowners: please do not paint over glossy paint without first sanding and priming... otherwise unsuspecting subsequent owners, or yourself for that matter, will be stuck with paint that will peel and flake if you look at it wrong, much less touch it... that ends this public service anouncement)... socket covers are mostly done already... and hopefully doors and stairs are few months off...

So, there you go....

Lastly,

Happy Birthday John - I remember this day as much for trips to the Twin Cities for events such as Lollapalooza and other things that just happened to coincide with his b-day.

And good wishes to Nate on taking his boards today!