Braxton and Braeden's Hideout: New School Year

Hello again!

As most of you know, Braxton has been at Hopewell for all of his elementary school career. He started there because I was teaching there (not to mention it is a really good school), and I just took him with me. Although I have not been working at Hopewell for the past three years, we have continued to drive him there. His Dad has been becoming more and more concerned about the gas situation, seeing as my car uses more gas than just about any other vehicle on the planet! (But you all know me--gotta have somewhere to put all those shopping bags!!)

And then there is the issue of Braeden. He will be starting school next year, and unless I have them at two different elementary schools for a year, I would be driving to Hopewell for yet another 6 years!

Soooooo......this summer we decided to look into the school

we are actually zoned for. Imagine that! It's called Michigan Avenue, and it is a really good school, as well. Plus, it's less than five minutes from our house. Braxton gets to sleep in an extra 30 minutes!! (Of course, that would be enough motivation for ME to change!) For those of you who have been here, this is the school that is right next door to Tachia and Jon. (Even better!) They have lots of really neat programs, a brand new playground (isn't that the reason one chooses a school in the first place??), a great teaching staff, and a principal who is a complete fireball!! She goes to our church and during our many meetings this summer (you knew I'd be over there having meetings with the principal, didn't you?), she talked a LOT about the Lord, her excitement about her school and the stuff they do, and her love for the kids, etc. She really seemed to want him there (being the nephew of an Assistant Principal in the system never hurts--not to mention he IS perfect!!).

Soooooo....we decided (with input from Braxton) to try it. Of course, the bad thing is leaving his friends behind. He's been with these same kids since he started school, and it's always hard to start over.

The good news is: he seems to be adjusting. He's not really shy (as you all know), and he makes friends pretty easily, but it's never painless. Actually, he seems to be adjusting better than me! Having the overactive sense of responsibility that I have, I just knew I would be the cause of wrecking his entire life!!

He has made some new friends (and met some kids he wants to steer clear of), but I think this will serve him well when he goes to Middle School in two years!! Learning to recognize who you DON'T want to be friends with is at least as important as figuring out who you DO. God is good and is helping both of us as we make this transition.

I just wanted to share a few photos from the first week at our new school!!