Wednesday, August 25, 2021

It's Back-to-School Time!

I'm not sure how, but our summer is over and the kids have all officially started back to school again. This year looks a lot different than last year (which looked a lot different than the year before), but I'm hopeful that it's going to be great!

As wonderful as it was to homeschool all four kiddos last year, Chris and I really wanted the twins to be able to have a few years of experience being in a traditional classroom setting. We both feel like there are many valuable lessons to be learned in that setting that we can't teach them at home. Because of this, we decided to enroll them back at our favorite elementary school for first grade. After first grade, we don't know what we'll do. In my head we will keep them in public school until after third grade, but I'm keeping an open mind about the whole thing. I have zero problem pulling them out of public school and bringing them home should a situation arise that warrants it. 

On August 10th, we were able to visit each of their classrooms, drop off their school supplies, and meet their teachers. 

Brecklyn was pretty nervous about everything, but also excited!

We were thrilled when we learned Brecklyn would have Mrs. W for first grade. That's exactly who I had prayed she would get!

We made back-to-school night a family affair :-).

Brooke was ready and not nervous at all!

Brooke got Mrs. L for a teacher . . . the same teacher Bri and Bren both had for first grade. I was thrilled about this, too! Sadly, Mrs. L won't be starting the year with her class as her husband has terminal cancer and she needs to be home with him right now. We're not sure when she'll be back at school, so for now Mrs. L's class is being taught by Mrs. C.

This was our first time being back in the building since March of 2020. While it felt different in some ways (we missed our favorite PE teacher SO much as she is now retired), it also felt really good to be there. 

We were even able to make a few visits to some of our favorite teachers before leaving the building. Mrs. B (who was Bren's 2nd grade teacher) is now teaching 3rd grade!


A couple days later, Brecklyn and Brooke started school for the year. They were excited and looked so cute!

Chris and I were able to drive them to school, but we were not able to walk them in to drop them off :-(. I had been told that Rise and Shine would be back this year, but it's not back in a traditional way. Each class is watching it as a broadcast instead of all meeting together in the gym. And parents are not invited. 

I should have known it would be hard to watch my babies walk into the school building, but it took me by surprise. They're so big, but still so little. 

Mrs. W knew that Brecklyn was nervous about the first day of school and sent me these photos during the first day. I am so thankful for her!

Brecklyn was happy to be sitting by her friend from down the street, Patrick.

Cutie!

Love this!

Brooke's teacher updated the class FB page with photos, and I was happy to see this one! 💜

I knew I would need a distraction on the twins' first day of school, so I planned for the big kids to start their schoolwork that same day. We are excited for a new homeschool year at LIGHT Academy!

One thing that we're especially excited for is that we've joined a homeschool co-op this year. It meets on Tuesdays in Collinsville and on Fridays in Skiatook. We are only taking classes in Collinsville this year, and we're only taking a few things for now. Brianna is participating in Color Guard.

And Bren is in Advanced Guitar with about 5 other students. He is also enrolled in an Archery class that will begin at the end of September. 

Both of the big kids are also doing cross country with The Falcons again this year. Our schedule feels pretty busy right now, but I like for them to have opportunities to try new things!

I didn't take my traditional first day of school photos on the first day of school, but I took them on the first Monday of school instead, haha. 

My big first grader, Brooke


My {slightly smaller} first grader, Brecklyn


My fourth grader, Brenson

My sixth grader, Brianna

Daddy with the crew

Momma with the crew

This year is definitely a little different with half of the children homeschooling while the other half go to public school, but I'm convinced it's what will best fit each of their needs right now. We are praying for a great year of growth, love, and peace!



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