First Day of School

Another year has flown by along with a summer that just wasn't quite long enough.  I finally realized why school shopping is such a good idea.  It is the one thing that gets them excited to give up boogie boards, the beach, sleeping in (ugh do I have to give that up?) and all that comes with summer.  The kids were so excited to wear their new school clothes and shoes, put on their new backpacks and pack their new lunch boxes that they were actually looking forward to going to school.  I was excited to have a clean house for one day but then quickly realized that I may get that clean house in about 10 years since I still have an almost 3 year old and 13 year old at home with another one on the way.  Oh well.  I am sure my house will be way too clean when all the kids are gone and I will pine for the good old days when it was a mess.

The best part about Lexie's first day was that Mia was in her class.  This is 2 years in a row. Hopefully we can keep the cousin connection going for as long as possible.  They were even sitting right by each other which helped make the leap to 1st grade even easier.  Alexis still cried and panicked but I knew she would be OK after I left because she had Mia and a very sweet teacher.

I love that Lexie's teacher took a picture of all of the parents with their first grader.  Not that I love having prego pictures but I do love that we captured the first day moment forever.
a 

Kaden is off to middle school.  I can't believe it.  It has been a hard thing letting him go.  It has also been interesting to see the different dynamics between taking a girl to 6th grade and a boy.  Kaden was so mellow and didn't seem nervous.  Taylor was very nervous and I was nervous both times.  Hmmmm it must be that females are just more emotional and yes a bit more dramatic.  Kaden went right into class with no problems.  I noticed that I still had his schedule and wanted to take it into him.  Trav told me that I might embarrass him by going into class.  I didn't want to embarrass him but I had to say goodbye one more time and give him his schedule.  Hopefully I didn't embarrass him too much.  I didn't kiss him or anything (I did at home of course) but I got one last good bye in.  It is weird because I have these flash forward and rewind moments all the time with my older kids.  One moment I picture them as babies then the next moment I can see them morph into adults.  I think it is to remind me of the gift I have been given.  Not only for the years that I have had but for the years I still have with them. 

Tanner was funny this year.  We were racing to park the car and get the kids to classes on time.  Travis dropped us off and Tanner Lexie and I walked into class.  With all the craziness we couldn't find Tanner.  I was in a panic for a minute until I went to his classroom.  There he was!  He had already met his teacher and found his desk and was settled into class.  He had no problem on the first day.  No nerves and no fear.  He was so excited to wear his new clothes and to meet his new teacher.  He got Kaden's old teacher who we love and was a high school friend of his Uncle Jake.  The first day ended up great!