Days with the Dorans

 I've been busy setting up my classroom and wouldn't you know... the day of "Smart Start" (aka- Zach's registration), I had a workshop (ugh). I called on the way home to tell Ali to tell Z to get dressed because the second I got home, he needed to jump in the car so we could be off.  Well, when I got home he was a sweaty mess from playing outside, but such is life. He got his picture (he liked it), his books, and we headed to his locker to put his books away. At that point he wanted to leave- he didn't feel the need to walk his schedule, but he did just because... well... mom wanted to see him do it. My little Goose is growing up and it's so strange. I remember having a locker in this building back when I was a "sevvy." Time really does fly when you're having fun. Have a great year, Goose!

Ali was off to Smart Start early with Sarah since they had to work it for NJHS. As soon as I got Joe from XC, Z and I were off to register! I still can't believe he's going to middle school (he's a whopping 65 pounds!). First we took his picture. I was glad that this was not my first go with registration. We got through things really quickly (at least it felt that way). Z opened his locker on his first try and was cool as a cucumber- not even wanting to try it a second time. I got a couple locks from the dollar store the day before and he taught himself how to do it, so it was a snap for him. That "one" he's holding up in the picture stood for "first try"- he didn't want to open it again but I had him do it a second time for good measure. We walked his schedule once and he was good and ready to leave. We ran into his friend, Matthew. They have every class together except for one which is wild! Neither of the Bigs were ever so lu...

And just like that I have an 8th Grader and a 7th Grader. "Smart Start" went much faster for us this year. Al walked her schedule once and Joe didn't feel the need to walk it at all. They both met up with lots of friends to check out schedules and see if they had any common classes. Joe also stayed after with his buddy Dom (why didn't I get a picture) to help with cross country. I'm so glad he's running again. Al opened her locker right away and did put up some pictures. I printed off her dance pictures with the cool words we took in MB (you can see them HERE if you don't know what I'm talking about).  Joe had a bit of trouble with his locker which surprised me. I blame it on him being a leftie. He got it though and didn't seem too stressed about it. After all~ he's "Joe Cool." I can't wait to see what this year brings for these two!

Jeff was working the day of Smart Start so my mom  thankfully took the Littles so I could go up to Smart with the Bigs. It was SOOOO crowded and we waited in long lines! We got the kids' schedules and were off to Al's locker. She got it open on the first time and every time after... (she did it a lot). We walked her schedule three times and she had it down but being the kiddo she is she wanted to be SURE!  After walking around with Al, we went to Joe's locker. He opened it once and after I suggested walking his schedule said, "I think I'm good."  We still walked it once for good measure and then did Al's one more time. These two kids of mine couldn't be more different but boy do I adore them both! Last year we waited in long lines for pictures. This year, the picture line was quick. I love the way their school pictures turned out! Now I just have to pray that the Littles will be as lucky... After we left, we decided to get some lunch ...