Back at the Routine-School

Okay, so it has been a couple weeks now but here are pics from the kids heading back to school.  I would love to say that they were all excited but most were not, and the ones who were namely James didn't dare voice their enthusiasm due to comments from siblings-so sad.  All kids are moving classrooms this year except for James.  This is new for Andrea and yesterday she informed me her binder was falling apart and Becca was upset because her Binder wasn't big enough...its huge!  Andrea has three teachers-each teaching two subjects.  Becca has four teachers and Brayden rotates hours with middle school.  It was a bit of a rough start-we had repeat teachers where we were in hopes of branching out and classes were friends were all split apart.  Everyone is slowly finding a routine.  Thankfully they do love learning-maybe not doing work but the teachers do a great job of grabbing their interest.  Now if the kids could just become organized, motivated to be neat, actually care about school work and maybe find some new found handwriting skills somewhere we would be all set!

So Brayden was first in going back.  We had a whole morning for schedule pick-up and orientation.  This was the general reaction for any picture taking.  I really can't complain as he still hung out with me and actually still talks.  The Middle school is all by itself in the basement of Metro.  Brayden was not terrible happy...meaning very hard to live with or deal with all the changes Middle school brings but he now seems to enjoy the schedule and a bit more freedom. I still stand by my theory that the institution of school was not founded for boys. Now begins the game of  telling him he is on his own and responsible for homework, tests, projects but in reality I am still keeping tabs on him.  His idea of  being prepared in not quite the same as mine or the teachers I am afraid. The idea of being tardy, having bells and only a little time between classes seems overwhelming the first day.  But as always we prepare and shove them on their way and they survive- as he did.  We did forgo the locker lock and had his pencil bag stolen ( or lost)  he swears stolen.

At Orientation we walked through their schedule to find classes and meet the teachers.  I felt like I was back in high school...worried I would start having dreams of forgetting my locker combination.

 One brief snapshop before he headed off the first day.  No tennis shoes-his biggest complaint-basically ruined his attitude for the week-yes I know its only shoes but when kids lose it it can just be exhausting, for everyone.  Thankfully his first nine week elective is PE!!  Yes!  so thankful that he was able to get that rotation first as it helped smooth things over.

The other three started the following day.  Elementary begins with chapel, always a nice way to bring everyone together.  No one was terrible happy....mostly tired.  Our summers consisted of very slow mornings.  James is still struggling to eat before school-he would prefer he 10am breakfast rather than 7am.

James was pretty happy for school.  He really likes his teacher and the fact that he is now in the elementary wing as school.  He was actually ready to do work.. and informed me that after two days of school, the first week that he had a great time because he didn't do any work!  He now has homework but compared to last year so far its a piece of cake for him.  Kindergarten is a big year full of meeting new kids, he feels like he is in a new class as with three sections there are a lot of new kids-we always seems to have playground issues over this year- like starting a new school, but so far he is enjoying it.

Andrea has Mrs Huckett.  She did have a couple friends in her class but was not so sure about switching teacher through-out the day.  So far it is working great.  If you ask she enjoys her last hour with Dr Mcguire the most, its reading which she loves.  She is such a trooper...the first day she came home with her feet covered in hives, which she had most of the day.  We are slowly figuring out what it the cause-no more Downy for now.

Andrea has had a bunch of work most days but actually is excited that she gets to do First in Math this year.  Funny how they see sibling do things and then look forward to them...even if it is homework or projects.

One quick picture of Becca.  It was a rough day for her.  We arrived late to class-she wanted to drop James off with me.  Her class was all set, leaving her the last unassigned seat which was of course by a boy while all the other girls were at other tables.  It was hard  because it was not her choice for teachers, all her friends were split up this year and then a bad seat-so hard for me to see her struggle to put a smile on her face and leave her with tears in her eyes.  I have to say my kids have been getting lots of prayer as it the only thing that beats the endless worry that seems to pound me lately.  After the first week she is back to her smiles and seems to also enjoy the rotations and different teachers.  She too is looking forward to her first project-bugs!  Now we just need to find something other than lightening bugs and moths!

 The girls are all so very sweet.  I have to say even as with Braydens class as well, even when groups are split apart the kids are all kind and good friends to one another.