Middle School and 3rd Grade

Another summer flew by, and I am just astounded that school has already started again! Each year the adjustment to the boys being gone during the day gets a little easier. I had bunches of time off to spend with them this summer, and it was our best summer yet. Back to real life for all of us now.


This year, Jax is in 7th Grade! I know I say this a lot, but how is that humanly possible? How is this small person that I grew in my tummy, what feels like just days ago, a middle schooler? Yet, here we are.
Back to school night was a great success. We met all of his teachers, and he seemed to like them. He has had no trouble navigating the halls of a new school. And he is making new friends.
He is just so Chill about the whole process that it really sets my mind at ease. He has a locker, and takes his phone to school, and is just turning into this young adult.


Jackson (and Cole-all of us, really) had a summer packed with fun things to do! On Jackson's birthday, we flew to Mexico, and an entire 747 sang him "Happy Birthday!" Then, he had basketball camp, church camp, a week of volunteering with local animal shelters, and some time spent in Tennessee visiting Brett McGuffin and family. not to mention a trip to the Lake of the Ozarks with Nana and Papa Patterson.
Whew! A busy boy, indeed!


Cole is a big 3rd Grader, and so far he is liking it. He has stories to tell me about friends when he gets home, and he is elated that he got the "no homework" teacher. Haha. The only downfall is that he was put in a class with none of his friends. A few acquaintances, so we will see how that goes. He is walking to and from school on his own, and thinks he is big stuff.
Since Cole's teacher will not be sending homework home, we have instituted a few of our own weekly requirements. Flashcards, a reading comprehension page, and 20 minutes daily of reading aloud to a parent.

This summer, we got Worlds of Fun and Oceans of Fun season passes (thanks to Grandma and Grandpa Harper). The boys preferred Oceans of Fun, and we made it there probably 4 times this summer. They love the slides, the wave pool, and the lazy river. We will try to make one last trip to Worlds of Fun during Winterfest in December.