Life as a Leach

Happy First Day of School! Caleb is starting middle school today, and has mixed feelings about it!  While he is pretty certain he is going to get shoved in a locker, I have assured him that he will be just fine!  He is such a nice  kid and I encouraged him to just keep being kind to everyone and to not get sucked in by others who like to make fun of people.  I seriously can't believe that he is old enough to be in middle school!  The cliche is true:  time flies! Abby was pretty sad about her brother not being at the same school as her, and some tears were shed after he left this morning.  I told her she must have a really great big brother if she's that sad! Chloe loves getting in on the pictures! After Caleb left, I set to work on Abby's hair.  She requested curls this morning.  I told her that this may just be a special occasions hair style!  :) This moment is not lost on me. This time last year, Abby and I sai...

Abby's first day of kindergarten Favorite thing about school so far:  centers (especially the playhouse) Abby has the same wonderful teacher and assistant Caleb had in kindergarten, so we are thrilled as can be!  We also hit the jackpot with her one-on-one, who is the perfect fit for Abs.  We are so thankful for all they have already done to ensure that Abby has a safe and positive kindergarten experience! Caleb's first day of 4th grade Favorite thing about school so far:  math because we get to play games Caleb has two excellent teachers who are both very experienced in the subject areas they teach.  I know he will do well under their care.  He has made a few new friends and is enjoying being with one of his closest friends again this year.  He says the day flies by because they are working and having fun! The kids are riding the same bus that picks them up from our driveway and Caleb is taking really good care of his ...

Abby has been in preschool for two weeks now and is loving every second!  She's so well-adjusted and really enjoys going to school.  In fact, she begged me so much for homework that I've started giving her some to do with Caleb is doing his each day!  She truly loves to learn and soaks it all in.  I love how teachable she is! Her preschool teachers are awesome and have been so great at dealing with all of the "high-maintenance" issues with Abby.  They know how to hook up the oxygen, they have emergency procedures, and they will Facetime me if they ever have a question about her respiratory status and want me to check on it.  It is SUCH a relief to know that she is in good hands! Here are a few pictures from her first day of school.  She was so excited to wear her Olaf dress!  

This guy has jumped into 2nd grade with two feet!  He has two fantastic teachers, and I'm really impressed with the level of homework coming home.  He has risen to the occasion and is doing a great job.  We have the occasional homework struggle (Mom couldn't possibly know anything about 2nd grade homework!), but he is usually pretty good about it. He especially loves switching classes for math/science/social studies.  I think that change of scenery has been really good for him. Unfortunately, he has had a fever and is missing his second day of school in a row today.  Never fear--Mom will make sure the make-up work gets done! :)

Abby had a wonderful first day of preschool!  She went right into class and began playing with Anna without any hesitation.  They were playing dress up (without masks, of course!!) when I left the room. I was surprisingly completely fine!  I didn't even shed a tear because I was just too proud of her to be sad that she was so grown up.  It also helped that I left there to volunteer at Caleb's school, so I was kept busy while she was gone! Enjoy a few of her first day of school pictures!  (Side note:  Abby was not very cooperative this morning!  I do hope this is not to mean she's going to start acting like Caleb does when the camera is out!) Aren't they the cutest set of "twins" you've ever seen?!

Tomorrow is Abby's first day of preschool.  I never, in a million years, would have been believed two years ago that she would be going to preschool on her own, trach-free, without an assistant!  God has amazed me time and time again with this girl. We are supposed to send in a baby picture tomorrow.  Ours aren't exactly the norm, but nothing about Abby is!  I've been taking a little walk down memory lane tonight and looking at some early photos of my sweet girl! This was the very first time I ever held her.  I will never forget that moment. This is probably my favorite early picture of her.  Look at the determination in those dark eyes of hers.  She was a fighter from the start! What a long way she has come!  I will definitely post some first day of school pictures, so stay tuned!

I am so far behind on blogging.  Life has just been busy and I'm back to work too, so there isn't a lot of time...not to mention running the Leach Infirmary! Caleb finally went to school last Friday, and Abby came down with the fever on Sunday with vomiting on Monday.  Chloe had dental surgery on Monday and I wasn't feeling so hot myself, but someone had to run the infirmary! Things are better now and I'm hoping whatever germs these were are long gone. That being said, I wanted to share some "First Day of School" pictures! This was the first true day of school when Caleb ended up being sick.  You can tell how pale he was in the picture, but I was still holding out hope that he would make it.  I won't tell you what happened right after I took this... Healthy again! Here's to a great year in first grade, Caleb Boy!

This is Caleb's first day of school picture.  :( The poor guy came down with a nasty bug and spent the better part of the morning getting sick.  He perked up in the afternoon and I thought he would be fine to go back the next day...then the fever set in.  He is home for a second day today, and he's currently resting after completing his make-up work.  I am seriously hoping he can go back to school tomorrow!!! The teacher in me knows how important the first few days are; that is when the kids are taught routines, when they get to know their classmates and their teacher, and when they are assessed on their current levels.  But, under the circumstances, we really didn't have a choice but to keep him home.  Thankfully, he has a fabulous teacher who has assured me that she will make sure he is all caught up on everything! Here's hoping that tomorrow he will ride the bus!!!