A totally different kid

Oh what difference a change of scenery can make.

Now that KoKo is at Lincoln, we have a totally different kid in our house. I'm not saying this because I work there, but changing schools has made all the difference for our little Beaner.

After the first week, I asked KoKo to rate how things were going. Without hesitation she said, "Nine out of ten."

I think being in Lit and Lang 11 and the art program really tap into what she loves to do, but she is also really enjoying playing in the pep band and being part of the choir.

Being part of Prowler football as a manager - and seeing what Mumm does as a coach - has had a big impact too.

Plus, there's something to be said for being able to get lost in a class of 160 students. In her old class, maybe 35 students, she couldn't help but stand out. We always gave KoKo a hard time for having a ton of clothes in her closet that she never wore. But when she did wear something a little different or unique, a classmate would nip at her ("That looks like a doily my mom has" was one comment) and bring her down. But now she's wearing what she wants and no one says a word because there are all kinds of styles at Lincoln. You have to really do something unique to stand out here. In the past when she spent the better part of a year eating lunch alone because she wasn't in the right 'group' really brought her down. But people eat all over the school here. You want to sit with your friends in the lunchroom, no problem. You want to head over to Taco John's or Subway, no problem. You want to grab a slice of pizza and eat at your locker, no problem. That freedom has allowed KoKo to flourish.

Here is she with Trevor prior to homecoming. The change is amazing. Now I can't wait until next year when she gets into the Magnet Arts program and goes on the choir trip!