First Day Photos

Well, we made it back to our city. A week of getting back into our sleep routines, unpacking our bags, organizing the house, hanging with friends in the park (for the kids), and one last day of visiting a Turkish water park followed. Soon, it was time to start inservice. Our week together as a staff was personally very encouraging for me. I found that I was able to very gently peel off a few "band aids" and let some heart scabs start to heal. The "gang" this year (my fellow teachers/staff) have really given off such a sweet spirit. His mercies are new every morning, and every school year. And for that I am thankful. My kids were so helpful, taking turns babysitting little brother and sister while I was in meetings, calling to ask what they should start for dinner, keeping the laundry folded and house picked up. It really blessed me. It was crunch week, and they came through for me. 

We started on a Thursday. Sweet Cheeks was up before 6AM, dressed and eating breakfast, ensuring no one overslept on the first day. We left in plenty of time to get our traditional first day pictures. My dad took pictures of me holding up my grade level, we carry that tradition on. 

Firstborn began high school. She's just wonderful. She's started Turkish this year. They had a discussion about how important "bread" is to the Turkish meal. Her teacher commented on how some American 'breads' are like cakes and how yummy they are. She came home that night and baked banana bread for her class. She is so happy this year with her lineup of teachers. I am so thankful for good teachers! 

Twinkle Toes is in junior high this year. She's as tall as me, straightening her hair, running with her big sis these days. I know she will make me proud this year! 

And how can my little baby girl be finishing elementary this year? When we got here, she was only 18 months. We put her in a crib we borrowed from the home we stayed in. She quickly discovered it had amazing springs, and she could nearly bounce out of it. She's still bouncing! 

This little girl is in my class this year. That makes my heart very happy. So far, she's enjoying her daughter/student status to the fullest. 

And this little guy needed a slight readjustment after 2 days of school. WE put him in K4 again, as he is a September birthday, and we had determined all along to let him repeat K4. But after prayer and being approached by the teacher, we decided to go ahead and let him move up to K5. He is so happy. His first day picture originally had 4 fingers held up. We told him over the weekend he was moving up to K5. Every time I picked up the camera this weekend, he held up 5 fingers. I think someone was happy! 

And so the year began for the Campbellclankids! I plan to post more about my classroom and the traditional first day march around the school, but had to get these on here! How has the adjustment to the new school year been for you?