They're gone....

Today is the first day of school for Little Man and B. They are nervous. Beyond nervous might be a better way to put it. They moved from a 5A school in the metroplex with class sizes ranging from 25-35 kids. Little Man had a over 800 kids in his sophomore class last year. Now, they are in a 1A school that doesn't have 200 kids in the whole high school with an average class size of 12-15 kids. They've already taken most of the electives offered with the exception of the FFA (future farmers of america) classes. The counselor wasn't quite sure what to do with them when I enrolled them. The 5A district they came from had programs that offered things like starting your high school credits in 8th grade. So, things that the counselor is usually signing her freshman up for like the computer class that's state mandated and that B has already taken for high school credit. Little Man did his credits for Alg 1 and Spanish 1 in 8th grade. B has already had his speech and health credits as well as his 1st computer credit. Little Man is upset because the only elective that they offered for 6th block that he hadn't already taken was "intro to horticulture". He is in physics and pre-calculus and those are classes that are only offered one period a day as opposed to every period of the day at his old school. At the old school, there were 6 principals and 8 counselors. Here there is a vice principal, a principal, and 1 counselor. Can y'all say culture shock?

Now, while I'm so very glad to have them back in school because the "I'm bored" and "this place sucks" got old weeks ago. I'm so very worried that my city boys won't fit in. I really have faith that once they make new friends, they will be more comfortable here and not drive me quite so batty. And for all of you ladies who believe that I'm sane and level headed - it's all an illusion. All these years of raising teenagers had made me healthily nuts. I just seem normal. But after dealing with the illogical logic spouted by male teens on a regular basis, my mind does not work like a normal adult mind. The problem with associating mostly with male teenagers on a regular basis is that they start to actually make sense. Scary isn't it? Ok, so they don't actually make actual "sense" all the time, but I can at least follow the path of logic that they take. So, the grumping and grouching coming out of the boys mouths for the last few months, while irritating at one level, was understandable on another. B was especially hard to handle because he's hitting puberty and that level of being annoying as well as his fear of starting a new school. Little Man, being the self-absorbed 17 year old that he is, thought that (of course) this is hardest for him as he should be starting his Jr. year with all his friends. But, at least, he would talk about it. B never said much, he just grumped, grouched, and grumbled about everything but what was bothering him. But, I know my child and his irrational fear of change so I was able to (mostly at least) ignore him.

But, now they're back at school and I am enjoying the peace and quiet. Plus, I can get my house cleaned and get to the painting in B's room that has been put off by the young men spending a majority of their time in there. Did I mention getting my house cleaned? The joy of being able to mop the kitchen floor without having a size 10 cowboy boot walk across it 3 minutes later? Not having to listen to the words "I'm hungry" or "there's nothing to eat here" 746 times a day. Don't get me wrong, y'all know how much I love my kids. Y'all know how much I enjoy having them all around and having a houseful of kids. It keeps me young (at heart at least). And the feelings of freedom and peace that I'm enjoying right now, will disappear with the headaches of dragging unwilling teens out of bed before 7 every morning and homework issues. I'll be eagerly awaiting weekends and school breaks. But, for today- after not having a break from the boys for the last 3 months.... it's like lying on a beach in the caribbean with a tall drink.

Well, I have already gotten a text from Little Man. Apparently, things are not as "horrible" as was feared on his end at least. He tells me that they all get a mac book to take with them from class to class and to bring home for the year. That's quite cool in his eyes. In answer to my question of how things are going? I got back "yea its all good". I would assume that since the lunch room is a separate building shared by the elementary, jr high, and high schools that the boys will have lunch together. I have the feeling that as new families around here are not an every day occurrence, that the girls around here might be fairly interested in 2 new boys joining the neighborhood.

Y'all have a great day! I'm going to go be a woman of leisure. Hey, I can pretend can't I?