Back to School - Second Grade Edition

School started last Monday (August 20th) for our big 2nd Grader!  He was less than thrilled that his summer is over, but glad to see his school friends.  He is really excited to be in the same class as several of his buddies.

Meet the Teacher was the Friday before school started.  It was a bit anticlimactic, because Clayton's Kindergarten teacher moved up to 2nd grade, and he will have her again.  So, they already know each other pretty well.  ;)  He did enjoy getting to see his new class room and figuring out who he is sitting next to.  That's a big deal when you are 7, apparently. 

The night before school started, we had a long family prayer time before bed.  Wade prayed for Clayton and for his 2nd grade school year.  We are praying that God will bless our boy this year as he learns both on campus and at home.  We pray that Clayton will grow closer to the Lord and that he will make choices that honor Him.

After the boys were in bed, we set the boys' backpacks out and left some fun back to school surprises.  :)  Drew doesn't start preschool for a few more weeks, but he got his goodies a little early.  He is so excited about preschool!!!  I'm sure that his first school experience will be heavily documented on the blog in the coming weeks.  Ha!

We got "apples" for the teacher.

Clayton woke up ready to start his day! 

I can't believe how much he has changed since Kindergarten.  This picture makes so happy/sad all at the same time.  Thrilled at who he is becoming, but painfully aware that he is growing up far too quickly for my liking.  :)/:(

Thanks to good 'ole Pinterest, we have a new back to school tradition.  I'll have the kids write their name on this chalkboard on the first day of school each year.  It'll be fun to see how their handwriting changes over the years.  :)

I love my crazy/precocious/sometimes sassy/still wants to snuggle when no one is looking/smart as a whip/heart of gold/can make me want to pull my hair out but I love him so much that it hurts, little boy.  I think this is going to be a good year for both of us!  I am really looking forward to learning right along side him two days a week this year.  I feel much more equipped for the homeschooling aspect of his education than I have the past two years.  I know that I still have soooo much to learn, but I finally feel like I am getting a the hang of it.  I just want to be the very best teacher to him that I can be.  It is a refining process, for sure. 

Back to School 2012 part one is now complete.  Now I need to shift gears and focus on getting my little Drew ready for preschool.  I'm so excited for him!