SIZING UP TO BE A 'BIG' YEAR ALREADY

6th Grader and 3rd Grader...1st Day of School 2011!

Yesterday marked the kiddos first day of school this year. They were so anxious to get started, due in part to the fact they were pretty much tired of staring at the walls.

Ben started kindergarten at Boon Elementary the first year it opened, so his 6th grade class this year will be the first graduating class that started at the school. I have the exact same picture as below of him from Kindergarten that I'm still searching for!



Last year in front of the E.T. Boon sign for Ben.

 Funny enough, they all classify themselves as "middle schoolers" already since Allen is 'the only school district around' (their words) who doesn't promote 6th grade into middle school, but keeps them with the 'kids'.

Shelby started 3rd grade this year and this is the first time her class is upstairs...with 'the big kids'. And to top it off, they get a 1st grade class as their buddy class so she's feeling pretty big-girl herself.

In 6th grade, a few things change for them. They switch classes by subject and do so by groups versus their homeroom class. All in preparing them for the schedule that will await them next year in middle school. In addition, they choose an 'elective' this year (actually chose it at the end of last year for this year). They could take Choir, Band or Orchestra. Ben chose choir. Good choice. :-)

Which led to today's story...one of those proud-mom moments and had I not been working from home, I would have missed the 'guess what' enthusiasm that came with the story, if not the story altogether.

They walk in the door and after hearing a few things about their day, Ben tells me the following...


...and guess what else? On the way home there was a big branch on the trail and I had to run up ahead and move it.

    You ran up ahead of the people you walked home with?

Yes. Because some were on bikes and it was easier for me to just drop my scooter, run ahead and move it, then get back on and catch up.

    That was nice of you.

And also, I helped Laura (a girl in his class this year...name changed here, of course) carry her violin home.

    You did?

Of course. She was on her bike and it was hard for her to carry it, so I brought it home for her. It was just the right thing to do.

    Yes. Yes it was. Way to go, Ben.


It's gonna be an interesting year, indeed. :-)