Ella's first day of school went well. She woke up early, I got her dressed and she was all ready for the annual "first day of school" picture. Her 4th Grade teacher is on maternity leave and there is a long-term substitute teacher running the class. Ella said everything went well. They did some "getting to know you" activities, had Gym, and did some other activities throughout the day. When she returned home she jumped right into her book and began reading. When I arrived home from work Ella told me all about her school day. She was excited and sounded motivated to do well this year. As a 4th grade teacher myself I know that it's a big transition from 3rd grade. There's more reading for meaning and much writing. Math gets more challenging as well. It's the beginning of intermediate type learning. The afternoon of the first day of school was fairly calm around the house. Lindsay and I stepped out onto the porch to have some "mommy and dadd...