In a little over an hour, I’ll be taking LilZ to his first day of 8th grade. I offered to hold his hand and walk him in to help him find his classroom, but he turned me down. He’s independent like that. My brave boy.
This means he officially survived seventh grade. I’ve documented my horrid memories/experiences of 7th grade several times, so the fact that he made it through alive? Means I’ve done something right as a parent. He even finished the year out with his first ever straight-A report card.
He asked me if him starting 8th grade made me feel old (No – but you ASKING me does!) and I honestly said, “No.” Starting middle school? Yes. Turning 13 and therefore a teenager? Yes. Next year when he starts high school? Definitely will. But this year? Not too climatic for me. I remember the excitement of 8th grade. Being the oldest in your school and impatiently counting down the minutes until you are a high schooler. Being terrified and excited for the entire year. This will be a good year.
This summer has been awesome. I couldn’t have planned a more perfect maternity leave. I got to spend an entire summer with all three kids at home. I doubt that will ever happen again. I hope I did a good job doing fun stuff all summer, even if it was the same fun stuff every day. As evidenced by the million pictures I have of the kids playing in the 12-dollar pool from Wal-Mart. I’m hoping LilZ will look back on this summer fondly and not as That Summer I Was Stuck Home With My Nagging Mom, My Annoying Sister, and My Crying Brother.
I’m thinking not.
congratulations, Mom … what a great group of kids you are raising … LilZ is a perfect example that you are “doing it right”. There aren’t many 8th Grade Big Brothers who would be such great playmates.
AND, my son just walked in and saw the first picture … and yelled to his sister to come see the “EL-Camino” just like Pop-pop’s old one! Just had to share that you made him quite happy this morning!
Have a great day
I think the memories that are made with the least monetary investments are the ones that last the longest and are the most treasured. So that $12 Walmart pool? Small money, huge fun.
You are a great example of how to do it right.
Wait, back to school?? It’s August 6th! What the heck did I miss?? That’s wicked early!!!
WOW. Down here they start school next Monday. Teachers report today. I thought that was early. I don’t remember much from my 8th grade year. My teacher (small school no switching classes until HS) didn’t really teach us much. I just remember goofing off the whole time.
Sounds like you’re doing an awesome job. Congrats to LilZ on the straight As.
wow. i’ve never heard of classes starting so early. isn’t it usually september?
You may not be crying, but I am. How can he be so old?
Have I ever told you that you’re one of my mom-idols? I’m so impressed by how you juggle so many things, all while being an amazing mom.
What a perfect summer. And really, your kids are amazing. LilZ sure is the best big brother out there.
SWEET!
Awesome job, Mom.
The day my son turned 13, I went into his room and asked him if we wanted to take the day off and go hang out at the mall. Have some lunch at his favorite restaurant and then go do some shopping.
He gave me a blank look.
“Well . . . I can do that?!”
“Of course you can!”
“But . . . ”
“Because I said so.”
“Well . . . ”
“You can go to school if you want.”
“But . . . ”
We ended up having a ball!
He’s a freshman this year. My how they sprout . . .
He really is an amazing kid!!!
Well, unless you’ve bribed him with playstations and nintendos to smile in all these pictures, it looks like he’s had SOME fun.
I lean towards his remembering it fondly. He is smiling in all those photos.
Good luck LilZ!
Congrats, Zoot – I too have an 8th grader – where the hell does the time go??
That last picture, with NikkiZ’s face is hilarious:)
It is usually the cheapst things bring the fondest memories. I hope you all will look back on the past summer with smiles on your faces. Enjoy it. Its winter here!
Your doing an amazing job with the whole parenting thing. Don’t let anybody tell you that your not!
It is usually the cheapst things bring the fondest memories. I hope you all will look back on the past summer with smiles on your faces. Enjoy it. Its winter here!
Your doing an amazing job with the whole parenting thing. Don’t let anybody tell you that your not!
Wow. What a gorgeous family you have… you document it all so well through your photographs.
8th grade… I remember that well too. Good luck to LilZ as he goes on to rule over all the “little kids”!
All I got to say is ahhh that is so sweet. Good luck and bring some tissues.
How did LilZ’s first day go? I don’t remember my first day of year 8 (UK equiv.) but I remember the first day of middle school because I walked myself to school – My Mum had to take my little brother (who was in year 3) to school.
I remember the first day of uni thats the best – I met my best friend (Kewey) she didnt become my best friend that day in fact we didnt actually talk for about 4 weeks after meeting on the bus but after that we’ve been insperable pretty much!
I will always adore the pics of those two together! Totally killer cuteness 😀