Jovan's First Day of School 2014

Well, this is it -- HIGH SCHOOL! 




Yes, Jovan started high school this past Wednesday, and on the way there when I asked him how nervous he was, his response was: "I'm not nervous, it's just a regular school like my other school (his previous school) except with regular clothes and different kids! 'Maybe it hasn't dawned on him yet', I thought, as he got out of the car. Because as all of us know, high school is a big deal! Especially after attending the same school from kindergarten to 8th grade.

But hey, you know what they say about firstborns being confident, leaders, etc. -- those traits definitely describe Jovan and radiated from him as he walked into the school, without a care in the world.

That day I couldn't wait to leave work so I could hear all about Jovan's first day, and of course I bombarded him with questions when I got home; "did you make any friends? Did you know anybody? How were your teachers? Who did you sit with in the lunchroom? Did you like your classes?"...until he asked me to stop lol.

After laughing at me for a little bit, he told me his teachers were amazing, he sat with the freshmen football players in the lunchroom -- I guess it helped that he started the football weight training sessions a few weeks before school started :) -- and he did actually have some classes with a few students he knew from his old school. 

All in all, it was a good first day. If this is a glimpse into the next three years and ten months, then it'll all be good! 

<3

Cheer On!

Julissa started Cheer a few weeks ago, and this past Sunday was her very first Jamboree. She was super excited...can you tell just by looking at that face?!

I loved seeing her out there cheering for her team with the rest of the girls.

The past couple of summers have been a filled with sport related activities for the kids, but I wouldn't have it any other way - I love shuttling them to games and practices and cheering them from the sidelines. 

College Week and First Day of School 2014

Well this is a late...OK, REALLY late, post! I am working on getting better at posting here at least once a week, but sometimes life gets a little hectic and I keep putting it off and then never get to it...procrastinator much? Lol.

But here it is, first day of school post (late but sure!). School started on the last week of July and I still can't believe that that was already three weeks ago -- time really does go fast!

Some of you might already know that my kiddos attend Seven Hills Charter Public School (SHCPS), which participates in a year-round education program; one of the of the very few that exist in the state. Each year, for the last three years, SHCPS school have their students spend the first week of school at a different college or University in the city. The goal behind this is to give their students a vision for the future, one that says that their education does not end after they graduate from high school, but that it goes on beyond college. During this week the children get to experience what it is to take classes and spend time in a college setting.

This year's College Week took place at College of Holly Cross. 

Adrián, Abdiel and Julissa on their first day. 

The boys refused to smile for me! :(

But Julissa was more than willing to strike a smile...and a pose! I just love her sassy demeanor <3.

Jovan graduated from 8th grade at SHCPS this past June, but wanted to go visit his old teacher. This picture makes me all teary eyed - he really made great memories at this school. While he walked around looking for his old teachers, it dawned on me that he will miss all those amazing educators that cared for him and pushed him to his limit. 

My sincere thanks to all those educators that made a difference in Jovan's life for each of his nine years spent at this school! He will greatly miss all of you...

At the end of the week, the kids had a showcase to show their parents the work they did during college week.

It was amazing listening to them talk all about their week and meeting their teachers. I can't wait to see what else this year has in store for my kiddos! I'm sure that whatever it is, it will be quite a ride :). 

I better get better at keeping up with my posts, because I have a feeling I will be posting a lot about their school year!

-Yamilka