Tonight we packed backpacks and got clothes ready for the first day of school.

Both boys were so excited about their new notebooks and "pump pencils". They each got new backpacks picked out by them. Older Boy's is black and gray with about a million pockets. Younger Boy's is single strap and camouflage. Single strap was the most important thing about his new backpack. I think if the only one we could have found would have had pink and purple butterflies he still would have wanted it.

We talked about the behavioral and homework rules for the year. Last year Younger Boy really struggled with homework. He expended A LOT of effort lying about whether or not he had homework and making up reasons why he didn't know about homework. At his school you get a slash when you don't turn in homework. He averaged four slashes a week last school year. This year I told him that is UNACCEPTABLE. He is allowed one slash PER MONTH this year. School is his first job...before anything else. I'm sure he will push me on it.

Prayers for a good school year and for all the students and teachers as they return to school this year.