First day of school!!!

You never quite know what to expect when school comes around.  Today, was no exception.

It didn't run very well, matter of fact, it started off in a really bad way for me and my Nicholas.

See, I have a very independent boy, a boy who is also extremely smart, but at that age where they like to push your buttons and can be quite cocky.

He has always hated school, doesn't enjoy it one single bit and usually we have our days where we butt heads during the school year.  Unfortunately, today was one of those.

It took me 2 hours to get him to start cooperating, all the while, he laughed, he joked, he didn't pay attention, he was a distraction to the other kids and was just downright frustrating.

It got so bad that I had to walk out back, and stay out there for about 30 minutes, as tears just fell down my face.

In that moment, I felt so helpless and treated so unfairly that all I could think was "this is ridiculous, I don't need to put up with this."

Ahhhh but this is the thing, I was wrong because when the going gets tough, the answer is not to turn away and run for the easiest path.  This is my son, this is the love of my life and I will do anything for him, beginning with finding out exactly what is making him act this way, and what is keeping him from doing his school, aside from not liking it in general.

We sat down in the bedroom for an hour, chatting, crying together and figuring out what the real issue was, and I did get down to the root of the problem.

He can't concentrate with other kids around, it is a huge distraction and he completely zones out of school.

It was like a light bulb moment for me.  All of a sudden the signs became clear and what I had suspected in the past was confirmed.

So, new plans have been made, we've come up with a different way of doing school with him, one that allows him to be on his own, quietly working through his lessons.  We tried it today, and it worked miracles.

I could say, if only I had figured this out years ago, but I would rather say, we figured it out now and can help him.  I am not a person for if's and why's and if onlys, I honestly find it such a waste of time to dwell on such things.

Anyway, we got off to a rough start but I do believe we will work through it and have a good year, yet.

Now to show you some photos I took of the kids, I love how they turned out because you can see their individual personalities shine through.

Miss Tiffany, she is excited that this is her last year of school so she's smiling through it all. 

Miss Jasmine. She is an excited 10th Grader, she loves learning but hates school. Go figure LOL

Mr Colby. These photos crack me up, he wanted to write on the board himself and added (Joy ) and a sad face. He said it is like a mug shot because that is how he feels about school. Hahahaha

Mr Nicholas. The naughty one, the one who pushes my buttons to the limit. I love his expression because I feel that it so perfectly depicts who he is. His personality really shines through in these photos.

I love these kids and I am so blessed to be able to watch them learn every single year, even in those not so smooth and happy moments of schooling, I still wouldn't have it any other way.

Tomorrow will be a better day, I'm sure of it :)