New School Year

The kids started school on Thursday, August 29th. This year, we have a 6th, 8th and 10th grader! Brayden was a bit nervous about starting middle school, but overall, I think he was excited. It helped that he had middle school orientation the week before school started, and his own big brother was assigned to be his orientation leader. Even Matty admitted that he was excited to have his brother in the same school again. When schedules were released the day before school started, Matty quickly looked to see if he and Bray have the same lunch (they don't) or if they have PE during the same period (they do!). I have to admit that I really enjoyed watching all three of them spin around the house, buzzing with excitement, as they prepared for their first day. They were all up early and ready to go. If only they could do that every day.

Here's a quick overview of their schedules this year:

Brayden:
Advanced Language Arts
Earth & Space Science (he is skipping 6th grade Life Science)
Social Studies
Orchestra (he is going to play the viola)
PE
Math 7/8 (he is skipping 6th grade math and doing 7th/8th grade math in one year so that he can move on to Algebra by 7th grade)

Matty:
Social Studies
Physical Science
Algebra I
Spanish
PE
Advanced Language Arts

Taylor is now a sophomore in high school, which is mind-blowing to me. She's got so much going for her - she is president of the sophomore class, she's on the drill team, she has a 4.0, and she has a great group of girlfriends plus a darling boyfriend. Here's her schedule:

Leadership
Chemistry
Algebra II
AP World History (she took AP Human Geography as a freshman and got a 4 out of 4 on the AP test)
Spanish 3
Child Development
Honors Literature

We are one week into the school year as I type this, and so far, so good. The kids all seem to be getting settled into their new routines. The early wake up for Brayden is rough, but he'll adapt. He said he likes seeing Matty's friends in the hallways. They all say, "What's up, Brayden?" And because Brayden is taking some advanced classes, he has a few classes with his 7th grade buddies, Quinn and Carsen.

Matty is an all-around cool kid. I do not worry about him socially. He has a lot of friends. From what I surmise, he is kind and humble. I pray he stays this way.

Three days after being named starting quarterback of the varsity football team, Taylor's boyfriend Tyson tore a ligament in his thumb. He had surgery yesterday and is now out for the season. This has put a big damper on football/drill season for Taylor (and Tyson, of course). The first football game is tomorrow, and I know Taylor will shine during halftime! Aside from this bump, Taylor has had some angst about classes, acne and drill dynamics. I pray it all sorts out and she has a great year.

I am holding on to these days tightly because I know they are flying by!

Little B had his outfit laid out for the first day of school. So cute.

Ice cream the night before school started

My beautiful babies, growing up too fast