The First Day of School

The boys started their new school year on September 5th.  Owen is now a big 4th grader at Turtle Lake.  When he found out that his teacher would be Mrs. Milow, he responded, "Great!  She's so nice!"  He's been enjoying school and having fun making new friends and reconnecting with old ones after the long summer break.

The bus picks up the kids right in front of our house. On his first day, Owen laid out very clear directions for his dear old Mom and Pa.  When the bus was in sight, Mom and Pa had to go inside, not open the door, and definitely not take any photos as he boarded the bus.  Ha, ha!  At least he let me take a few photos before the bus arrived.

Owen on his first day of 4th Grade

Owen and William waiting for the bus

Cole is now a 1st Grader at Turtle Lake. It's his first year at the big elementary school. Last year he was at a Kindergarten Center so it's a big change for him. Cole is in Mrs. Berger's class. She is the most amazing teacher (Owen was in her class when he was in the 1st grade too). We were devastated to find out that Mrs. Berger was just diagnosed with breast cancer and will be taking a leave of absence as she fights this terrible disease. Please pray for her, her husband and her 2 young children. We are hopeful that she will have a complete recovery and be back at school soon.

Cole's bus arrives about 5 minutes before Owen's so he's the first one off to school in the mornings.  On his first day, Shane walked him to the bus.  But being escorted to the bus only lasted a few weeks before he decided he was big enough to walk to the bus all by himself.  He sure is growing up fast.

Cole on his first day of 1st Grade

Waiting for the bus

Shane and Cole walking to the bus

Rose headed off to school this fall too - a first for her!  She was originally enrolled in the preschool at our church, but that only lasted a week.  They require that the kids be potty trained and while she's getting close, she's still not quite there yet.  Unfortunately they weren't willing to work with us as I was told "pull-ups are not allowed".  Oh well, their loss!  Rose is now attending the North Oaks Preschool and she LOVES it!  Just today she said, "I don't want to go to church school.  I like my new school!"  So it seems to be a much better fit from her perspective too!

"I'm ready for school!"

Rose's first day at her new school was September 28th.  She goes to school Tuesday and Thursday mornings.  I drop her off, she gives me a hug good-bye and runs into the classroom.  She's so happy to be a big school girl. Her favorite school activities are painting, playing with the sensory table and, of course, running around on the playground.  With Rose at school, I have just enough time to run errands.  It's amazing how much you can get done with no kids in tow.