The start of high school (and back to school)

 

September 1st...they were ready for it, much earlier at our bed than I would have liked.  The favourite outfits had been chosen and put ready a few days beforehand.  That was good, then the mother had some time to let them do my mandatory posing on the first day of school :D. 

For the first time in 7 years their roads split apart to different schools (maybe as of now forever...or maybe Beertje will join Kabouter again in 3 years, that is not certain).  Beertje would no longer be in the company of his older brother. 

Jan took Beertje to school but we had visited the week before the open class where he had already met his class mates again and also a new joiner in his class. They had admired some new sport equipment in the extensive garden of the school. 

in the evening after school, all had been fine but he didn't want to disclose much stories.  "We breathed and lived" was the story I received. 

(added some Sept 2 pictures for Beertje)

Kabouter had asked to walk together for that first morning, which I gladly did. What a big milestone to go to high school for the first time...a high school where he didn't know anyone before hand (ok some exceptions from scouts in higher years but not in his starting year).  

We timed our walk so he could calculate what would need to be the time to leave in the next days. It was still so quiet in the city centre of Leuven.   Only when we arrived at the Old Market we saw more people. 
I took a quick picture and let him walk bravely inside "with positive stress".  Wow, I felt so proud.  
And he still sounded positive in the evening.