First Day of School Pictures 2021

 B.L.I.S.S. Academy is officially in session for the year.  We started a bit early so that we can take off for vacation next month.

Natalee is entering "junior high" this year, such that it is.  I don't really know what that means when when you homeschool but she's very excited about it and we're so excited for this and her next steps of maturity.

Natalee is most excited for geography and least excited about math.

After a lot of prayer, discussion with Mike and Xavier, and deliberation, we decided to make this school year a "flex year" for Xavier.  I started him in kindergarten "early" right after he turned 4, which would mean he would graduate as a 17 year old.  I was a new homeschool mom, so excited (I'm still excited!), and probably pushed him a bit hard.  He's done wonderfully, and this flex year isn't in any way a slight on his academics.  More just mom pulling up the reigns a bit, realizing there's no rush, and giving him the time he deserves.  He'll continue his academics at the levels he is at, and if, when he's in high school he truly is ready to "graduate early" we can re-evaluate then.  Maybe this doesn't make sense to you, but it makes perfect sense to us.  Next year he will be in 6th grade and then continue regular pace after that.  We trust that no one will give him a hard time about this decision because we know you all love our children as much as we do.  Xavier was hesitant but trusting of us, and on board with this decision.  We are so proud of him.

Xavier is most excited for geography and least excited for reading lessons (he loves reading books!).

Ameliya is so overjoyed for 2nd grade.  She got to start math on the computer this year and mom said "hallelujah!"  She is most excited for math and said there is nothing she's not looking forward to.

Zayden is starting 1st grade this year, however he was also a fairly young kindergartener (not as young as Xavier) so perhaps some year he will have a flex year, too....time shall tell. 

Zayden is most excited for reading and least excited for math (he might have heard his older siblings declare their least exciting subject before deciding).

I just knew Evalynn would want a sign to hold.  She will be in the "school of life" this year - we anticipate her potty training, learning to obey, and hopefully staying out of the emergency room!  Oh how we love you!

Proof of mom!

We are still in the thick of our first day, so more about how it went in a later post....but for now I leave you with the cutest students on earth.  How I do love them!