Well, here we are again. Another school year has started and first day photos taken. We’re off to the races for another year of school. Technically, we’ve been racing for the last four weeks since Sophie started third grade at her new school in Indiana on August 9. Yep, August 9!
It felt strange and a bit wrong to start school during early August. I’m so used to the first day being the Tuesday after Labor Day. While I was NOT ready to say farewell to sleeping in and relaxed mornings, the timing worked out really well. We arrived in Terre Haute just a week and a half before school started, and it’s been good for Sophie to have a routine and be around other kids. The school is wonderful! She’s making friends, has a great teacher and is adjusting very well to a brand new school. And apparently the school lunches are way better than the choices in San Diego.
One of the very exciting parts of all this change is going to and from school in the school bus. It’s pretty awesome to have our friendly bus driver pick up Sophie right at our driveway in the morning, and return her in the same spot in the afternoon. I’m LOVING this aspect! And according to Sophie, the bus ride is her favorite part of the day. She uses the time to chat with her friends or do her daily reading. Nothing makes me happier than seeing her stepping off the bus in the afternoon and running toward me with a big smile on her face. It warms my heart every afternoon.
Being almost 9 years old and starting at a brand new school where we know nobody is hard. But Sophie had nothing but excitement for the first day of school and her new experience. I offered to drive her to school and pick her up on the first day, but she insisted on the bus. And on that first day, she hopped on that bus and didn’t look back. I was the one shedding tears (of course). Not because I was sad. But because I’m truly in awe of my little girl and admire her strength so very much.
Here’s to a new school year — with new challenges, adventures and good times ahead!
Riding the school bus.
Sophie at her desk at back to school night. She was thrilled to have an individual desk — quite a step up from her San Diego school, apparently!
And of course, a look back at previous first days of school. She was SO little! I use Picmonkey to create this if you want to make one for yourself.
Other Posts You May Like:
- Welcome to 2nd Grade! (2015)
- Welcome to 1st Grade (2014)
- The First Day of Kindergarten (2013)
- Back to School for Sophie (2012)
- The First Day of School (2011)
- Sophie’s First Day of School (2010)