We Survived the First Week of School

We made it through the first week of school and, all in all, we did pretty well.  Of course, the full impact of our fall activity schedule hasn't started yet so I'm sure there are some rough days ahead trying to figure out how to get people to the right place.  But we'll make it.

I could be all nostalgic on how I can't believe my first born child is a freshman in high school, but attending his first ever high school football scrimmage proves that it's the truth.  Not to mention the fact that in the last few days he's done  more homework than he did in the previous eight years of school combined.  He loves it and in so many ways our expectations have been exceeded with the choice of school.

At the opening Mass/Family Picnic last Sunday, I knew when we sang the Chris Tomlin song "You are the God of this City" that God has placed Mr C at this school for a reason!  I can really see him thriving in this environment academically, spiritually, and socially.  Plus, according to my husband, he's gotten a ton of muscle mass from football conditioning! 

Miss M is now in sixth grade and, while there are still a few kinks in her schedule that we need to fix, she is taking everything in stride.  The academic advisor really complemented her when he said that Miss M has a reputation of staying out of the muck of girl drama.  While she might dump on us at home (which is what she should do), she always has a positive attitude in the classroom.

Miss M is most excited that after a few years off of competitive dance she's joined the team again. She'll be dancing twice a week and is thrilled to get to go on a trip this spring to her favorite town of Chicago.  This girl just loves to dance and act.  We just love to watch her use her God given talents.

Miss A loves the first grade.  According to her, it's a lot like kindergarten. It is just a different teacher and schedule.  The biggest change is how they do lunch.  I'd explain what the change is, but I'm still not sure I understand.  She has some great friends in the class and has made a few new buddies as well.  We are thrilled that she has our favorite first grade teacher ever and the same one as C and M. 
The biggest complaint Miss A has about school thus far is that it interferes with her Barbie playing time.  Every morning, she plays Barbies for a little bit before school and then within minutes of eating her after school snack is back in her room busy with her imagination.  Last Wednesday, I walked into her room and saw a lineup of Barbies (and a few Ken and Skippers) all facing her Barbie Townhouse.  When I asked what was going on with the Barbies she explained it was a Drive In Movie Theater.  A double feature.  The next day, however, they were all gone and in their place was the Barbie Airplane, Convertible and Bicycle.  Guess they were off on a road trip.
First Week over and out.  Let the Fun Begin.
(* You'll notice I have pictures of C and M's first day of kindergarten too, Miss A's extra picture is of her first year in preschool; age 4.  I love how Mr. C looks almost the exact same in Kindergarten and then now freshman year of high school.)

Back to School With A Purpose:(In)Spired Deals

Mr C is just days away from the beginning of his freshman year of high school at an all boy Christian school.   While it does not seem possible that we are entering a new phase of life with a high schooler, what is even more amazing is the young man we are sending on this path.  A young man who is not ashamed of the gospel.

We are a public school family and, while it's been frustrating at times to have to "work" with the system to find ways to share our faith, its always been our goal as a family to be "salt and light" at our schools.  Mr C has been active in FCA, See You at the Pole and has never been one to hide his faith at school.  Let's be honest, this boy has worn a bright orange (think neon) T-Shirt with the words "Jesus Christ Saves Me"to school. 

When I was given a chance to try out Dayspring's newest line of Back to School notebooks, folders and binders I figured its something we'd end up giving away to friends.  We'd use it to witness to others, knowing it would not only be top notch stuff, but would have messages that would encourage others to seek Christ first.

However, when the Dayspring Box arrived, it was barely out of the box when Mr. C claimed it as his own.  He really wanted to use the binders and notebooks himself.  Not only did he love the design, black and red (his school's colors), the message really spoke to him.  "This Message is Illegal in 53 Countries"  because not only does he appreciate the fact that he lives in a country that he's allowed to live his faith out loud without fear, he loves the fact that after a decade of being in the public school system he now has the chance to impact a school that acknowledges God and shares his faith in Christ.

I love the fact that even though his mission field has changed, he's still wants to be a missionary.  Having these fabulous notebooks and binders will be the opening for him to talk to others about his faith.  Because you know what, even though he's going to a Christian school, doesn't mean everyone has a personal relationship with Jesus.  Going to a school that professes faith doesn't make you a Christian!

Thank you Dayspring for giving Mr C the tools he needs to go Back to School with a Purpose!  If you are looking for some fabulous "mission tools" for this coming school year look no further than

 (In)spired Deals.  Great Message. Great Quality. Great Price.  Fabulous all the way around!

Check out the entire Dayspring Collection to see all the other Back to School with A Purpose supplies, and the (In) Courage Blog!

Full Disclosure:  For my review Dayspring sent me the "This Message is Illegal" back to school packet.  All opinions are my own and Mr C's.

We Survived the First Day

We survived the first day; all four of us.

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Mr C was quick to say it was beyond boring, but fine. Just a bunch of rules and very little "school." He has friends in every class and, as a veteran of the building, wasn't late to anything. He did however come home with a new name. I guess his real name doesn't translate well to Spanish and he had to pick a Hispanic surname. Guess I can start calling him Adolfo. His youngest sister thought he should have chosen Diego!

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Miss M got off the bus and told me she couldn't wait to go back tomorrow. She loved it. While she doesn't know many people in her classes yet, she says she sees potential for good friends. When she saw the bright pink Locker Shelf I picked up for her, she was even more excited for day two. She did get a little lesson in how to go through the Deli Line in the Cafeteria from her older brother and feels more prepared for today. It's pepperoni day and you have to know the ropes.

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Miss A was thrilled to see C and M at the Kindergarten Door to pick her up. She looked happy, though a touch tired, but said her first day was great. She made one friend and, while she can't remember what she looked like, she knows her name is Allie. The fact that they both had chocolate milk for lunch seems to have bonded them. I was told to pack less things in her lunch box for today. There is not much time you see. You have to rush and she hardly had time to eat anything except the sandwich. There was no time for the brownie I packed or the applesauce. Guess it needs to be quick and easy.

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When pressed by her siblings to tell them what exactly she did all day in Kindergarten, she retorted; "I thought you guys went to Kindergarten, don't you remember?" We do know, however, that she didn't learn much yet, but she does know how to put her "stick" in the cold lunch bucket. Her favorite part of the day? Recess of course. She'll be disappointed today that it's inside recess since it's raining.

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I survived the quiet house. I got a few chores done, mowed the lawn, wash sheets and still had time to go to Target and get home and make a snack for the hungry school kids. I'm already formulating in my mind the master list of chores I'd like to accomplish this fall; painting, redecorating, organizing closets and drawers, and tackling my scrapbook pile again. I'm thinking it will be a few weeks before I feel like this is "real" and I get into a routine.

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Let's hope Day Two is just as successful.

"Tomorrow is no ordinary day"

The title of today's post comes from Miss A who told her sister that, "tomorrow is no ordinary day" as we were leaving Target for the 100th time loaded with school supplies.

I think we are almost ready. We have new school clothes, our backpacks are filled with new pencils, pens, highlighters, glue sticks and, of course, Kleenex boxes and Clorox wipes for the teachers. Apples are so old school; Now every teacher wants "germ fighters" like Purell to keep the bugs away!

In the past few days, we've tried to squeeze every last minute out of summer. We've had sleepovers and pool play dates with friends, we've gone to the Lake and climbed sand mountain, and we had our end of summer piano recital. Miss A's first and probably Mr. C's last.

Of course in the midst of all the joy of summer, there has always been that constant reminder that school is about to start. We've gone to "back to school night" three times at two schools, written checks for lunch accounts, yearbooks, pictures and tried out our new locker combinations. We've been thrilled finding friends in our classes and cried a few tears over classroom assignments that we're not what we were dreaming about, but have great potential.

Mr. C has the easiest transition ahead. He's the pro at junior high as the 8th grader, but we've told him that next year will be his nervous year. Miss M is thrilled that she's sharing a locker with her best friend even if she's struggling to get it open. Miss A was so happy that she already has a friend in classroom and a her table partner is a friend from church.

So indeed, tomorrow is not ordinary. It's gonna be an extra special day.