What a Difference!

What a difference 2 years makes! A new language, 6.5" taller, 30 pounds heavier, needs glasses, grown 3.5 shoe sizes..... Mark's growing into such a wonderful young man!  He is even taking up cross country this year!

A New School Year

This morning both boys started at the high school! 

 Mark's first day of 9th grade.

Alex's first day of 11th grade.

Report Cards

I'd like to brag on my kid for a minute. Most parents we know have been celebrating their kid passing all of their SOLs, making honor roll, or having straight A's. I'm celebrating that our kid improved in all classes this year, went up a few grade levels in reading ability and, for the first time in his life, passed all classes on his report card! He didn't make honor roll (yet!), or pass all of his SOLs, or get straight A's. BUT, we are thankful for his hard work. It was tiring at times, and I felt like the homework warden but, it was worth it to see his face when he saw his grades! (I may have even cried!)  We are definitely celebrating his hard work!