A Happy Boy

Owen literally skipped into school on Friday for "Meet the Teacher Night" while reminding Michael of the rules of his school (which may or may not include NO SKIPPING). I cannot do justice to his level of anticipation and excitement, but Michael and I went to bed marveling at how THRILLED Owen was to be back.

Here's the big kindergarten dude at his desk (after looking over the entire room with curious questions about the year to come).



He caught up with some of his pre-K friends in the halls, saw his Grammie welcoming students in the atrium, and came home with a school shirt. It's funny to watch how geeked out he got about it all. After a long summer, I had forgotten how much school lights up his rule-loving, structure-needing, and learning-driven heart. And it made me miss school for myself too. ;) Takes one to know one, right?

This afternoon he told me that we needed to buy him an alarm clock so that he doesn't sleep too long and miss a minute of school.

And this is his teacher, Mrs. Butley. It's nice to put a name and a face to our prayers for this year.


The Lord has been so generous to us in Owen's caregivers over the years. Our Fuller friend Karin helped nanny Owen on the days Michael had class his first year. Miss Gloria spoiled her "muneco" (Spanish for doll baby) at Altadena Christian Children's Center in Pasadena until he was 2. Miss Raquel was Owen's go-to lady at PreSchool Enrichment in NRH for year 3, and Miss Nazeli is still talked about when he remembers his Fresno days and First Steps Preschool.

Friday, he got to read for his Pre-K teacher Mrs. Garcia, and on the way home, he kept saying, "I saw Mrs. Garcia. Woot! Woot!" Mrs. Butley has no idea that Owen is about to become her biggest fan. Reflecting on these fine ladies and one fine dad, I'm reminded that no parent can do it alone, however one arranges one's work and home schedules, and this time of year reminds me of that even more.

May all my teacher friends value the precious ones with which they are entrusted. I have friends who teach at public schools, private schools, online schools, missionary schools, and home schools. We love you all and send blessings for a fantastic school year!