First days

This year, those first-day-of-school pictures have a different meaning for us. The boys moved to a different school, Jefferson Academy Charter School. It's still very close, only about 6 minutes from our house. It was a hard decision - we loved their former school and had created a nice community for ourselves there. JA (new school) has a middle school and high school, in addition to the elementary school - and we had been on their waitlist a few years, so we jumped in. There were some definite first-day jitters (for me as well as boys!) but so far, so good!

Can you tell it's a pretty bright, sunny day? Brendan: Mom, it's hurting my eyes! Just take the picture!

This was the last day of this bookbag for Brendan - for the first time he has to bring home (heavy) textbooks to use for his homework - this wasn't cutting it. The school recommends the kind of backpack that has wheels, and now I know why. Maybe for Christmas!

4th grade for Brendan, 2nd grade for Andrew!

And the next day, CC had her first day of preschool! She's going to Happy Valley Children's Ranch. So cute, it's almost 60 years old - a little farm, where the kiddos get to feed the animals, brush them, and ride ponies. She LOVES going to preschool - the teachers tell me she's very quiet there (weird!!) but is not sad to see mom go at all!

And now onto the beginning of what has been our lives (really) for the past 2 months - fall sports. Andrew is on a new inter-league soccer team where he plays teams in nearby cities. First year for the jersey uniform for him vs. a t-shirt - love it!

CC is playing soccer for the first time - cutest, cutest thing ever. Her team is called the Ladybugs - and she loves it. She was due to play after 4 years of going to every sport/game known to man for her brothers! Watching those little girlies swarm around the ball, kick in the wrong goal, and constantly look back at parents with a big grin - love it! CC's got an orange ball here, but for her birthday, big brother Andrew got her a purple soccer ball!

And yep, in the middle, that fierce-looking dude is Brendan. (aka "Baker") He requested to play football this fall for the first time, and we dove in. We all learned a lot this season, and as ever so proud of this kid who is not afraid to try ANYTHING in the world...how amazing is that!? He's really loving the game, and Jason is loving that Brendan will sit with him on a Sunday for HOURS and watch the professional games.

Love how CC's looking up at Brendan in this picture.