School Bells are Ringing

Not sure when schools start where you all are, but in Texas its beginning on August 25th.
I dont know where the summer has gone, but we are now already looking at buying the school supplies. I would like for you all to please remember all of our kids as they head back to wild schedules, homework and lots of peer presure.
This is my two guys : Nathan is 15, 10th grade and Madison is almost 12 going into the 6th. They will both be going to new schools this year so we are a little anxious. They are both very involved in music. Nathan plays the trumpet and Madison will be taking up Pa's fiddle!

Any of you that can post pictures of your kids, please do . Lets all keep our kids bundled in prayer this school year.

I know, I was just saying to Kelsey yesterday that summer was going by so fast and that I was sad to see it ending soon. Our kids go back to school September 2nd here. Devin will be starting high school (9th grade), and Kelsey is going to start her last year of elementary school (5th grade). Time goes by so fast.

The kids are in my prayers.

I will post some of mine when I can but we go back I think Sept 3rd. We already got them each a new backpack so that was taken care of and they got what they wanted. I hate doing it at the last minute and hoping to get them whatever they want and the stores don't have them. We got them each 5 shirts. Noah is 10 and going to 5th grade and Kaleb is 6 going into 1st. My other one isn't old enough for school so its mommy and princess time. LOL
Hope your 2 have an easy time starting their new schools.

This summer HAS gone fast. My daughter, Emily, will be starting kindergarten on September 2nd. I can't even believe it! My son, Shane, is only 19 months, so I'll get to keep him at home with me a little longer. All of your children will be in my prayers. Emily is nervous to ride the bus. At least she'll know some of the neighborhood kids, but the first day will be a bit scary................for me too. Watching her ride away will be tough, but I told her that I'll be at the bus stop every day waiting for her when she gets home. She's very excited, however, to have her Ariel the Little Mermaid backpack. LOL!!

Aww to cute about her backpack.
Here is a pic of my kids...

My boys, Noah-10and Kaleb-6


This is my boys (including hubby, John) and our princess Skylar. We were in our hotel room in San Diego when I took this one.


And our little princess, Skylar with her Tinkerbell she just got. Sorry its blurry but I love the face on her in it. She is 22 months old.

Nice thread, Gin. Those are a couple of good-looking boys you have there! And Anna, your kids are darling! Thanks for sharing!

Oh Teresa, it's going to be a rough one for you the first couple of weeks just like it will be for me! We both have 'milestone' years...kindergarten and college! My son is leaving in a little over a week. I can't even believe it. He'll be going to Western Michigan University and will be trying out for marching band (he plays trumpet too, Gin!)...band camp starts August 25th. We just did a big shopping spree for the dorm room this past weekend. It's crazy sending your 'baby' away! I can't even believe how very 'odd' this all feels. Exciting, but 'odd'!

My other son will be going to a different school this year. He's been in Catholic school and we're putting him in the public school system for 8th grade so that he can make friends going into the high school. It is an out-of-district school (the same that my other son went to), and we are getting him in as a 'tuition' student (it's just a formality though---a dollar a year!). He's not too happy about having to leave his friends and his current school, but getting him into this other district now will strengthen his ability to get into the high school (you have to be approved each year). He actually sounded almost excited about it last night, but it will certainly be a huge adjustment.

Of all years, I can use the prayers for my boys more than ever! I will do the same for all of your kids. Where did this summer GO?!

Here's a pic of our family, taken at Senior/parent band night...it was right after a football game, so I'm looking a tad windblown! Brendan is 18, and Nick is 13.
https://2img.net/h/i165.photobucket.com/albums/u55/Amy37_photo/DSCF0995.jpg

Amy, that's such a great pic of your family!! Brendan looks just like you, and Nick looks just like your husband. Have people told you that before?

What a beautiful picture, Amy!

(Does your husband have a brother who works in the postal service? Seriously, there's a postal worker who used to work here - and he looks like he could be your husband's brother!)

Thanks girls. Amy you have some very nice looking boys there. I can't imagine yet sending one off to college like that. Its hard enough that this will be Noah's last year in this school and then its off to middle school...which scares me.
Teresa, I know it is so hard to just send them to Kindergarten. I think I worried more about it with Kaleb then I did with Noah. Mostly cause I wasn't sure if I had spent enough time getting him ready for it. He was such a surprise with it all and such an awesome student. I was told at the end of the year when the teacher took them over to one of the 1st grade classes to see what it was like, how the 1st grade teacher gave them a small task to do that including writing and drawing/coloring. Well only about 3 of them did it and he was one of them. I was so proud of him. He loves to learn. I think what helped was he wanted to do the workbooks all the time. It was hard cause we had this baby during that time to get him ready for school. I am just hoping he keeps it up. I am hoping for a better year with Noah. Last year was hard and a struggle. Some of it had to do with the teacher being new to teaching and not being able to control the class. As well as some of the kids in that class and so he had to try to be like one of them (which we had many long talks about) and then just getting him to do the homework and reading. He doesn't like it all. He never has. While Kaleb liked doing his and learning to read. So completely different kids there. LOL I'm anxious to see who Kaleb gets for a teacher and how the 5th grade works with what I have heard. They have I guess a primary teacher and then they also switch around between the other 5th grade teachers. There are 3 of them I think. Which I am guessing is to get them ready for doing that in middle school. *sigh*

Amy wrote:

My other son will be going to a different school this year. He's been in Catholic school and we're putting him in the public school system for 8th grade so that he can make friends going into the high school.

Wow. Amy, that's the exact same situation I went through - Catholic school through seventh grade, then public school in eighth grade and beyond. And look how I turned out. I'm sorry, that was a low blow. You have enough to worry about right now.

I didn't quit the Catholic school by choice, though. As far as I can remember, St. Mary's ran out of funds and had to close down.

Rob wrote:

Amy wrote:

My other son will be going to a different school this year. He's been in Catholic school and we're putting him in the public school system for 8th grade so that he can make friends going into the high school.

Wow. Amy, that's the exact same situation I went through - Catholic school through seventh grade, then public school in eighth grade and beyond. And look how I turned out. I'm sorry, that was a low blow. You have enough to worry about right now.

I didn't quit the Catholic school by choice, though. As far as I can remember, St. Mary's ran out of funds and had to close down.

That's pretty ironic Rob! And yeah, a LOT of Catholic schools these days are hurting, big time. His has more outside funding coming in, so they're not, but it's happening all over our area. So sad. What I didn't want to get into was a situation where we would be forced into sending him to Catholic Central high school, because there's no way we'd put him in the public schools in our district. We tried to move, but of course we all know the housing market right now. Anyway, the Catholic high school here is HUGE money ($5000 per year!! ) and honestly, they don't even get the benefits that come along with going to a 'nicer' public school. Not only that, truth be told, generally there's just as many drugs and problems in the Catholic high schools as there are in public. So yeah, I'm glad we're getting him out and I just pray they'll continue to let him in each year.

Teresa, that is WILD that you think that Nick looks like my hubby and Brendan like me!! Most people think the EXACT opposite---in fact, I can't even see that Brendan looks like me! It's interesting what people outside the family see! But you hold a 'kid' picture of me up to Nick's, and they're identical---like totally---especially since my mother refused to let me grow my hair out so I looked like a boy! Yep, still bitter! Thanks for the lovely compliments, Teresa, Savannah and Anna. That was so sweet. LOL, Savannah---my hubby must have one of those faces, I guess! No postal service working brothers that I know of! :think: :haha:

Anna, I hope your son gets a good teacher this year too...I sure do know how that goes. SO much of your child's success depends on what kind of teacher they get these days....if they can't control the class, forget it. My older son could actually still concentrate and center in on his studies in the midst of chaos, but there is no way my younger son can do that. I pray he gets good teachers this year too. Last year he was quite fortunate---I would hate to make this move and then have him end up with lousy teachers.

Amy that is so my boys but reverse. The oldest can't work in that and on top of it they had a new principal come to the school this year cause the other retired so lots of back and forth with that not so nice lady. I have wondered why she ended up at our school when she was in the same kind of school already in our district. Plus then there are the parents that will go kiss her butt cause they know they have one of the worse kids and of course blame others. *sigh* I know most the teachers in the school at this point with having Noah going there for so long. The only time I have so far requested a teacher was for Kaleb and Kindergarten cause the one Noah had was awesome and I was so happy Kaleb had her too. I know how bad teachers are cause I had a few over my school years. It does make a ton of difference on things. I hope your son gets some wonderful teachers though and does great with the change of schools.

Thanks Anna...best wishes for your kids too!

BOY ...I got a bunch of moms talking with this thread huh? LOL I sat down with Madison this morning and covered all the sex, drugs and girlfriend stuff again. With starting middle school I knew he would see alot. But basically I wanted him to know he could come ask me anything if he needed to talk.
He started crying a little and I asked him if he was nervous about going to a new school. He said Yes. SO I reassured him he would be fine and that teachers are there to help. He is my kid that doesn't like change.
We go do a walk through this week before school starts the 25th, so I'm thinking he will see where classes are and practice on opening his locker. He is very visual so once he can do this he will probably be fine.
ALSO.....I have a neice Emily who has moved into a new community this summer. SHe will be starting a new school, and need to make new friends. I wouldnt worry so much but she is living with her mom, mom's new boyfriend and his 6 yr old daughter who has more or less threated Emily if she even breaths HER air and 5 yr old son. Emily is only 9 and is kind and meek. She has told me that she just walks the other way when she sees her coming. ( Makes me think of Nellie!!!) Emily has a journal (that she shared with me) and it was full of 6 yr old Sandra tricks. Emily said " I just get so mad I write it down."
I'm glad she releasing it somehow. Please keep this situation in your prayers . Its sad that kids have to deal with so much when parents make selfish choices. My brother is getting Emily as often as he can on weekends.
Ok---lets keep this thread hopping.....if your kids need prayers throughout this year , put it down here. Its so great to have this network of friends to know you can help through prayer. Smiles.....Gin :fullmoon:

Christina, you and Rhonda get a break finally from all the school hustle. I've got 7 yrs and my youngest will be out of High School. Then I'm going to take a vacation in the fall!! Got to get through the next few yrs first though.......

Aww that is a shame about your neice. I am glad she did find a way to get her feelings out even though it has to be more secret and her mom should be seeing it and understand to her feelings instead of how she is being.
Hopefully seeing the school and how it will be will help your son out with feeling a little more at ease with the change.

Brendan left for college yesterday. It's a pretty somber day around here today. It feels just so empty and weird. Please keep us all in your prayers during this adjustment period. And please say a little one for Brendan...he's trying out for marching band today!

You got it Amy. Nathan will be college bound in 3yrs. Not sure if he's leaving home or going local, but I'm sure if will be different. There is always the holidays remember! Hang in there.

Thank you Gin. I appreciate that. Yep, honestly Gin, you blink and it'll be here!

Brendan made the marching band, by the way! Looks like we're going to be seeing a LOT of football this year! I see a lot of gas $$ needed too!! Oh well, I'm sure it will be worth it.

Congratulations to Brendan for making the marching band!!!!!!!!!!!!

Thank you Teresa!!

Ok, moms, how is everyone doing this morning?! Teresa, did you make it through your morning ok? Or is Emily in PM kindergarten? Good luck to you...I remember sending the boys to Kindergarten well and it wasn't easy with either one of them. And Pam, it's your son's first day of high school! That's exciting!! And Gin, your son's first day of middle school! Lots of milestones for us moms of the board.

Nick did really well today, starting his new school. He has a good attitude about it and, aside from some nerves, seemed ok with everything this morning. I can't wait to get the full report later today! Brendan starts his first day of classes today too in college---his first one? Calculs 2!! Talk about starting off with a bang! He has to get all his books today too, plus more band. It's going to be a busy one!

I hope all of you are doing well!

Emily is in afternoon kindergarten, so............I'm hoping that she will do okay with the bus picking her up. She's nervous. It comes at 12:50 central time, so in an hour and 20 minutes. I can't let her know that I'm nervous until after she drives away. She'll be better on the ride home because all of the neighbor kids will be on it, and a couple are going to try and sit close to her. Of course it's raining. LOL!! Hopefully it won't be pouring within the next hour. Everyone keep me updated on how first days go with your kids. I'll be anxious to hear what Nick thought of his new school, Amy.