Back to School

Well, we are a month into the 2017-18 school year, and we are all still alive and smiling. Homework continues to be our worst enemy, but beyond that we are thriving.  Each child was assigned a great teacher this year, and we are so grateful. 

Frazier started kindergarten (tear), and he has many best friends already. He ruled the school on back to school night parading us through the halls and through his classroom. He's had a few hard mornings of not wanting to leave mommy. The most memorable was the one I literally chased him through the yard, caught him, put him in the car while he flailed and I held down the lock button. He hadn't calmed down by the time we made it to school, so I made the poor choice of walking him in. I didn't leave until 40 minutes later after a visit from the school counselor and the teacher mouthing, "You just need to run." I did just that, and he cried at the door for several minutes. He called with the school counselor about an hour later to tell me he was ok. Oh man, that will break a momma's heart. 

Mary-Michael is loving 2nd grade because she's just a girl that loves to learn, and she is friends with everybody, with the exception of those on red. Behavior is very important to her, and red means trouble. She is like me in too many ways. She was very proud of being chosen to eat lunch with the principal the second week of school because of great behavior and leadership skills. She continues to excel in her classes, and she's recently been recommended for the gifted and talented program. Regardless of whether she gets in, she's a hard worker and a great leader, and we love that about her. She's taking after me with a love for running and getting ready to join the mini-miler program at school to train for a race. 

Leila continues her studies at Aylett Country Day School as a 4th grader. She has come incredibly far from 2 years ago, but 4th grade is proving to be a challenge. The curriculum is rigorous, and we are working with her teacher to make some modifications, so that she is still challenged but can be successful. She is well-liked by her classmates, which is good because the 9 of them will be together for the next several years! She's taking piano and picking it up really well. 

Having all the kids in school is a new season for me. I've felt lonelier than I expected, but I am getting adjusted. The days are filled with the MUMS ministry I get to lead for the 4th year, doing the books for Geoff's business, exercising, being at their schools for a variety of things, and all those normal household and farm chores. I didn't all the sudden get 35 hours of free time. I just now do all the stuff I was doing before without a few sidekicks! It's good but different. God has been so faithful in providing for us, so I can continue to be at home.

Here's a few pictures of our hard-working students.