First Day of School

It happened this year on August 19 – a MONDAY!  Unheard of!  It didn’t matter.  My kids were excited for school, and I couldn’t be happier that is their attitude.  I slid out of the door after waking them up around 6:45.  They bounded out of bed pretty quickly.  After that, I don’t know what happened.  I am glad Jeremy is able to be with them most mornings rather than needing to cart them off to someone else every morning.  He does a good job getting their breakfast together and keeping them moving so they can get on the bus.  He even did the first day picture taking like a pro. 

Madison is going into 4th grade this year.  It is a big year in that she will change between teachers with her homeroom class.  This is new to her, but exciting.  She loves school.  She was so happy that STEAM was going to be a special this year, meaning she would do it every week!  She was proud of her school supplies, happy with her first day outfit, and ready to be with her friends again.  She is sweet.  Her friends that she is drawn to have similar personalities, and it is fun to see how they play and relate to one another.  I am hoping that she will continue to enjoy school. I also want to see her come out of her shell a bit in the classroom – raising her hand, leading within a group, and asking the questions that are floating around in her brain.  This year, she has said she wants to be a paleontologist.  She thinks she will enjoy working with dinosaur bones in some way.  I say, Do whatever interests you!

Ellie is going into 2nd grade.  She is happy with her teacher this year; in fact, she wanted any teacher that Madison didn’t have just to be different.  She has been happy going to school and coming home from school, and that makes my heart light.  She gravitates to playing with kids that are in her class, so it is fun to hear who she is creating games with on the playground this year.  I think she still wants to be a nurse, but every day after school, she has come home, had a snack, watched a little TV, and then … played teacher!  I know more math and reading after school hours.  It is fun to hear her chatter as she breaks down the concepts she is learning in school.

I hope that this year will be one of growth for both of them – academically and relationally.  I hope they learn how to welcome in new friends, navigate hard things, and be attentive to the needs of others.  I hope they continue to find joy being with one another, too.  I hope they stand strong in the faith they are learning about at church and at home.