Samantha's Days in 4th Grade

Samantha has been thriving and excelling in her new GATE class. She has been attending for almost 1 month now and loves it. She actually has less homework than she had last year because she finishes it in class. She does spend 10 mins a day studying her spelling words (a list of 25-30 per week) and 10 mins. on vocubulary words. She also has to read for 20 mins. every evening and complete a book report at the end of each month. She is very happy at her new school and hasn't complained about missing her "old" friends at all.
Lyndee has been at our house less and less - just on Thursdays for gymnastics. This seems to put alot less stress on the entire family, especially Samantha. They pretty much do nothing but argue.
Samantha started horse riding lessons last weekend - a treat from Horsey Grandma. She has 2 lessons in one weekend. She is learning English style riding and has received many compliments from her instructor saying that she is extremely talented.
I'm hoping to purchase a keyboard from Costco this weekend. They have one for a little under $100 - we have a rebate check for $62 - and I want to start lessons for Samantha and myself. I think Alex will enjoy playing as well. My children love to sing and are always singing up a storm in the car on the way to and from school.