First Day of School 2008

Since the kids are in year-round school and on A-Track, they begin school in July right after the 4th of July holiday. It's always hard sending them to school when it's so hot outside...it just seems wrong. This year Brittany started 4th Grade and is in Ms. Shaup's class. Braden and Brianna started 1st Grade and are in Mrs. Bolin's class. It's the first year I've had all three older kids in school for a full day. And let me tell you, it has been NICE! Sounds kind of funny saying, "It's so much easier JUST having two kids at home," when most people around here just have two kids. So far they love their teachers and are excelling in all the subjects. Braden was a little nervous going to school for the first time with his brace on, but he adjusted really well. I sent a flyer to school for his teacher to pass out to all the first grade classes explaining Braden's disease, why he wears the brace, etc. I went in and talked to his class the very first day of school and explained everything and answered all their questions as well hoping it would make his transition a little easier. His classmates were all very understanding and nice to him. We even decorated his brace with cool stickers. He did have to answer a lot of questions from the upper-graders at recess and before and after school, he got a lot of stares, and comments like, "You walk like a cowboy," or hearing comments from one person to another that say,"You know HIM?" But he has managed to deal with the attention and now that there is less attention and people are used to seeing him, it's a lot easier. It was rough the first week, he shed some tears, but he has been so brave, confident, and courageous. I'm so proud of my little guy.