This has been a busy week. Even more than the whole moving experience! There was also quite a bit of nerves on mine and Tyler's part, and excitement on Austin and Carli's part.
Monday, Tyler had a dentist appointment, to remove a partial baby tooth. It was teacher in service that day, so I decided that would be a perfect day to enroll Tyler. This way he could start school when all of the kids start back. After three hours he was registered. There were quite a few ahead of us. He is going to the same middle school that Anthony and I went to. He was nervous and a little excited. He's a bus rider, which he's use too, but wow, is everything else completely different! He's not too thrilled about being a new student. His classes are spread out everywhere, like in different buildings! He now has eight subjects instead of seven. They have to wear an idea badge at all times. There are no lockers, no books. Every student gets a laptop! Yes, you heard right! LAPTOP! Everything is done on that. Oh, and there's no uniform! You wear whatever! Even shorts. Not mention, he knows no one. So, he's got quite a bit of adjusting to do. These first few days have been hard for him, but we tell him we understand how he feels (he's 12, can you imagine?!) and to give it time. That he's probably going to have to be the one to go talk to others. He told me yesterday that his second day was one percent better than the first day. So, there was a positive.
Now Austin...he started Wednesday. Him being in Special Ed, took a bit longer of a process to enroll him. We went on Tuesday and had our meetings. One of the things (just one, ha) I was worried about was that would the new teacher, aides, and diagnosticians like and care for him as much as the ones he was with before? WELL, Anthony and I both agree that the meetings couldn't have gone any better. They were great! You could tell that they immediately loved him! You could tell they really wanted the best for him. He went in and met his classmates too. Oh they were precious! All getting up and coming to say hi to him, shaking his hand! He had a fantastic day his teacher said! He even got to see Sam on the day he enrolled, making it even cooler! So, there is no worries at all (so far) for Austin at school. He loves being in high school! I mean LOOOVVEESS being in HIGH SCHOOL!! Me? Um, I have no words. Yes I do, plenty! How about, CULTURE SHOCK! I was so not prepared! It's the same high school Anthony and I went to, but Lordy how things have changed! I know it's this way in every high school. Along with everything I mentioned above about Tyler's school, there's so much more...I'm a mom of a high school student now. The kids look so old! I'm use to Austin being in Junior High. If he would've stayed in our last town, he would have transferred to that high school anyway, so I would have to deal with my culture shock there too. Maybe not as much since they have uniform and this town does not! Whewww!!!! He will ride the special transportation bus. He hasn't gotten to yet, but should start tomorrow. He loves to ride the bus, so he's ready. The teacher said he had a fantastic day!
Then, there's my shy girl. Shy girl? Well, not so much anymore. Like I said a couple of posts ago, she has changed so much in the past two-three weeks. Anthony has even talked to me about how she's changed. More mature in her speech, manor isms, etc. She started MDO Wednesday. She will go Wednesdays and Thursdays. Yesterday and today she walked in ahead of me, put her stuff away, talked to the teacher, kissed/ hugged, and told me good bye! She teared up a little bit during the day yesterday, but was fine. This school is also a bit different for her. There is a rest time. She hasn't been in a napping room since she was two. Here, kindergartners have a rest time, so I'm guessing that's why they nap in pre-k. She did fine then too, partly because she took her favorite blanket. Her teacher said she did wonderfully! I really can't believe how well she's doing! I did get a bit worried on the day I took her to just look around; she asked me, "Mom, where's your class at?" I then had to explain to her that I didn't have a class there and that I would be home while she was at school. I thought surely that would make her upset! NOPE, she just said, "Oh okay. If you miss me, just draw me a picture".
Last, me. Yesterday was the very first time that all three of my children were in school and I was at home!Very strange! I told myself that I would not go home and clean (just the first day of course). I would use that first day to relax. Boy did I. I rested alright, after taking Advil. You see, I thought I would go for a nice walk in our neighborhood. The weather was so nice. When I was walking, I trip and FELL! I went flying is more like it! I scraped the palm of my hand and scraped very badly my leg from the knee to my ankle. It's swollen now and I'm sore all over today. Kind of funny actually! I did make it to have dinner with friends last night, that was great!
Thank you to those of you who said prayers for the kiddos to have a smooth transition into their new schools. If you could, please say a little extra one for my Tyler.
I'll be back next week with lots of posts. For now, enjoy the kids' pictures of their first day of school!
Austin, high schooler now.
Tyler, middle schooler. I caught him mid-laugh!
Carli, pre-k
Remember, she likes to pose now! These were taken before school each day.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY GREAT GRANDMA AND AUNT RACHEL!! WE LOVE YOU TWO BIRTHDAY GALS!!!!!
Tyler was picked to go to Temple to audition for choir regional tryouts. There were about fourteen that went (four boys and 10 girls) from his school. He left at 6:30 Saturday morning and returned around 7:30pm. I was extremely nervous! He was going on a bus, out of town, with out me, dad, or anyone we know! I mean we, including Tyler, didn't even know the kids!. He didn't make it, which he was bummed about, but we could tell he had a fun time by all of his stories! We were so proud of him for going and auditioning! To audition, you (by yourself) go into a room with the judges and sing different parts to different songs. How brave of him!
Austin lookin' good after school. Once a week, his class goes down to the high school's cosmetology department and they get to have their hair shampooed and styled. The girls also get a mani/pedi. Cute huh?!
Tyler had just came in from the bus. SO adorable!
Carli, still not feeling a 100%, but smiling because her uncle Chris swung by and gave her a dollar! Oh she loves her uncle Chris!
(above: Tyler and Christian, below: Carli and Emily)
10 minutes apart, verses 120 minutes is feelin' GREAT!
We are all doin' GRRREAT! The kids all finished their second week of school. Austin and Carli continue to love it! Austin is just beside himself that he is in high school! Carli is just super excited to go and isn't shy at all there.
Tyler, had a rough first week. We had lots of conversations about it getting better, it taking time, and hanging in there. Well, hello answered prayers...with you all praying for my kids smooth transition/adjusting, it really did help! Thank you Deyanira for all of your advice and CeCe, (from so far away) for your sweet gesture!! Tyler has had a good second week! He started a new schedule. We switched him to all P/AP classes and he really likes them. He's on the basketball team. Yesterday, the choir went to workshops to help them prepare for upcoming regional try outs. It is looking up for Tyler! He tells me, "Mom, don't get too excited. I said it's just a little better."
Anthony is loving the bank and being back here. He's having no problem adjusting, ha!
Me, well, I've got the house completely put together, the kids all in school. Still busy getting schedules/routines down, and getting use to not working. More specifically, not working at Carli's school. It's strange to drop her off and not stay there! I miss my friends too. I'm trying to adjust to being back in our hometown. I know we were born and raised here and we know everyone, but we've been gone over eight years. I have to tell my self that it'll take time, just like I said to Tyler. It'll be a month on the 17th, that we've been officially moved back. I guess because of the holidays, it doesn't seem that long.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY to my UNCLE ROBERT!
And HAPPY 3rd BIRTHDAY TO OUR BEAUTIFUL NEICE AMY!
Sunday, Carli was invited to a bowlin' birthday party. It was for Camden, who's in her class, but who happens to belong to one of my girl friend's, Gentri.
It was so cold and rainy, but that made Carli so excited! She could finally wear her rain boots! She likes to pose now! Lord help me! :)
Camden and Carli. HAPPY 5th BIRTHDAY CAMDEN!
Thanks for the nice night out girls. Can't wait to do it again!
Austin, high schooler now.
Tyler, middle schooler. I caught him mid-laugh!
Carli, pre-k
The three of us at my Aunt Dee's house on Christmas day.
Carli with her Hello Kitty shirt AND Hello Kitty Bow! It's hard to see, but some of the ribbon on her bow is Hello Kitty. Thanks Ms.Rose!
I managed to put up a little bit of Christmas decorations outside. The garland and tree has lights. It was up for about a week and then, ALL of my Christmas decorations came down December 26th.
The kids did not make it until midnight. Only Tyler. At least they got to play with their party stuff before they sacked out!
Here's wishing you and your family a year full health and happiness!! Don't sweat the small stuff! Remember, you are too blessed to be stressed! Slow down and enjoy! HAPPY NEW YEAR!
