First Day Back to School!

The boys went back to school today. For Sam it's off to the middle school which is much larger than Cobbles. The kids are divided into three "houses" and have a three-day schedule they are responsible for navigating. They had two sessions when the kids could go in, set up their lockers, and walk through their schedules, and we did both. He'll certainly be getting a lot of exercise! Josh had a similar thing yesterday where he got to go in for an hour and meet the teacher and aides (there are 23 or 25 kids in his class). The teacher was very welcoming, and he got to see his coat hook, cubby, etc., all labeled with his name. It's full-day K, which is a big jump for him. During a get-to-know-you activity the teacher went around the room passing around a fish, and when you got the fish you told your name. When it came to Josh he hid behind Susan and let her say his name. 

Last night Sam was a little emotional. He's in house C, and most of his friends are in other houses, and I think the transition's a little overwhelming. But this morning they were both in good spirits. Sam catches the bus at 7:23, so started waking him at 6:30. (ugh!) Fortunately, there were two other kids at the bus stop with him, a 7th and an 8th grader who he at least is familiar with. 

Josh wasn't the only one catching the bus for the first time. A boy from down the street whom we met only a couple of days ago was there with his entourage of parents, aunts and uncles--about 8 in total--and his dog. Josh was THRILLED to get to ride the bus with his neighbors Ethan and Payton and Jacob. (P&Js grandparents are on the left in the photo below.) Josh's bus is at 8:20. 

Both boys enjoyed some home-made banana chocolate-chip muffins Susan made.

Now we are hoping they both enjoy their first days back.

Ethan, Payton, Jacob and Josh. P&J were excited that it's Josh's first day.

This white rock on the neighbors' lawn which the boys wait for the bus on.