CHAPTER 112 Back-to-School Preparations

As the remnants of summer lingered in the warm August air, the reality of the new school year began to sink in for Jenna, Ryan, and Ethan. The Fourth of July had been a dazzling highlight of their summer, but now it was time to shift gears. The days of lazy mornings and spontaneous adventures were drawing to a close, replaced by the looming structure of school schedules and routines. Jenna sat at the kitchen table with a cup of coffee, surrounded by school supply lists, registration forms, and a calendar marked with important dates. She sighed, feeling the familiar mix of excitement and nostalgia that came with the end of summer. Ethan was starting third grade this year, a milestone that seemed to have crept up on her out of nowhere. Ryan walked into the kitchen, freshly showered from his morning run, and leaned down to kiss the top of her head. "You look deep in thought," he remarked, glancing at the pile of papers in front of her. Jenna smiled up at him, grateful for his presence.