First Day of School

It happened.

The summer is over.

They boys are at school, and I am wondering what I am going to do with my life.

First things first, a few pictures of the morning.

I love this face.

Boaz with his backpack on. Last night was back to school night. We met his teacher. She explained that she will have a sub the first day of school because she is taking her daughter to the MTC. Boaz was excited to learn his teacher was LDS. His best friend is starting the year out sitting right across the desk group from him. I imagine that will change quickly.

We talked about completing and turning in assignments. He told me in the car that I should punish him if he didn't get his assignments completed. I asked him what we should do. He suggested no reading if he missed. I didn't like that idea. He has loved reading this summer. I suggested instead no electronics. He agreed. 

This morning we also discussed keeping his desk organized.

Fourth grade is a big deal.

He is confident that it will be a good year.

I hope so.

I had to get a shot of how tall he is getting. He didn't really want pictures, but humored me and gave me a big smile anyway.

I love this face.

Josh is starting 8th grade. His last year before high school. I don't really know how this happened. Wasn't I just taking him to pre-school?

We didn't have to have the motivation talk with him. He is motivated to get good grades. This year we are focusing on getting merit badges completed for scouts. That and learning the hymns in the hymn book.

I asked him when he really started reading. We were coming back from the library. He said 4th grade. But he has regretted that. There are so many books that he wants to read, and he doesn't feel like he has time to read them all. He should have gotten started earlier.

He is so cute.

First day of school

We have been in school for 9 days now. But I still want to post the pictures of my boys.

I can't believe how fast they are growing. I've told Josh that this is the year that he will pass me up height wise.

We just had him measured, and he is only one and a half inches shorter than I am.

Here is my tall 12 year old. He is starting 7th grade. I remember 7th grade and am a bit nervous. He tells me he likes it. Band is awesome. He has good friends and he is a good boy. The process of letting go is difficult. I'm glad it is a process that takes years.

This year he has decided to wear button down shirts. It keeps me busy ironing, but I think he looks great. So much better than the T-shirts every day.

Here is a picture of my eight year old.

He insisted on taking the backpack. I was worried that it would be too heavy for him, with all the school supplies, but it wasn't too bad.

He is starting 3rd grade. I remember 34d grade too. I had Mrs. Birmingham. I thought she was kind of mean. I hope Boaz likes his teacher. She is a first year teacher, but when I met her, I liked her.

We are back in a schedule. The boys eat breakfast, we read scriptures, say morning prayer and I walk with Boaz out to the bus stop. Josh practices piano for 20 - 30 minutes. I have not started pilates in the morning, but I plan on starting that  this week. Craig takes Josh to school and I get ready for my little job.

Craig is happy that he is not the only one getting up and getting ready in the morning. So, it is all a good  thing.

Thea was here the first day and went with me when I took the boys to school. She cried watching them grow up one more year.

At the middle school, she heard a group of kids talking and told Josh that he couldn't hang with them. She didn't like the language. I had to make sure that Josh's schedule is right. I had to change two classes. I was glad they had it all fixed, even though the first schedule didn't have his math class listed. It just didn't have the seventh period.

On a side note, Josh took the pre-test for English. It is basically the end of year test. The teachers give it to get an idea of where the kids are. The kids are expected to fail it, it does not count toward the grade. It gives the kids a chance to see what they will be learning and gives them a bench mark to see the growth at the end of the year.

Well, Josh passed the test with a "C". NO other student has ever passed the test before. He was pretty proud. I about burst my buttons.

All in all, it has been a good thing. A new year and new experiences. :)