Back To School

It's been an interesting week.

Toby is getting ready to begin Grade One, Alicia is looking forward to a new preschool, Michelle is learning the ropes of a new job, and I'm looking for one.

Last Tuesday, my boss sat me and two of my coworkers down and explained that there was nothing wrong with our performance and this wasn't because of anything to do with us, but there wasn't enough work and payroll had to be temporarily reduced and they expected to hire all three of us back in six weeks. Although the part about there not being enough work for everybody wasn't exactly a surprise, the action being taken certainly was.

Although it's nice to have some reassurance that I might be able to go back to my old job in six weeks, at this point that doesn't really look like the ideal scenario. I'm looking at this as an opportunity to find something better, sooner. So the job hunt is on.

In the meantime, Michelle is jumping into a new job, doing what she does best, teaching ESL to adults. She's also been picking up extra cash tutoring students through the summer, so some of that may also continue this fall. Although there have been some frustrations with how things are starting out in this new position, she is still looking forward to being in the classroom with people who want to learn.

Michelle's also really enjoying me being home, at least so far. It was a little strange how my first day off the job was her first day on, so as she was driving off to work for the day, I was getting the kids breakfast and planning a trip to the park. Instant role reversal.

Our kids are fantastic, ready for school to start but lamenting the end of their summer break. We briefly tossed around the idea of Alicia starting kindergarten this year, but finally opted for a wonderful new daycare/preschool program that's starting up just a few blocks away from our house.

So come Tuesday Dad is going to be packing lunches and dropping kids off at their first day of school while Mom is off at work. It should be a very interesting week, again.