Back to School!

Have a fun summer! check. Stay Cool! check. Call me! check. See you next year! check. Here we are. Back to school. It's hard to believe we're here, but ready or not, here it came. I loved summer, but to everything there is a season, and I was also ready to get back to the structure of a schedule. I think my kids were, too (even though they won't admit it). The night before school was full of butterflies (the nervous kind and the excited kind), labeling & organizing school supplies, packing backpacks, and little sleep. We all woke up early, and had a great start to the day. I think you morning people really have something going! (I'm not quite ready to call myself a morning person yet, since it has only been a week, but I have a feeling I'll join your ranks very soon!) Our morning routine has gone smoothly all week, and I have loved it! I'm hoping it doesn't fizzle out. Here's how it goes:

Step One: Mom and Dad awake and ready

Step Two: Kids awake

Step Three: Breakfast, scriptures, and prayer

Step Four: Kids make beds, brush teeth, get dressed, comb Sean's hair, lunches ready

Step Five: Sean to bus stop (usually accompanied by the entire family. When David hears the door open he yells, "ME, ME", and we all end up taking a little walk.)

Step Five: Olivia's hair, Olivia practice piano

Step Six: Olivia's carpool comes (She is participating in a pilot A.L.L. program in the district, and goes to a different school)

It really makes me look like a put-together mom, doesn't it? (Keeping my fingers crossed it lasts the whole year--don't hold your breath!)

Here are some pictures from the first day:

Sean at the bus stop

With his buddy, Ryan...

GOING...

GOING...

GONE.

Deep breath, big sigh. There he goes. It was harder than I thought. I put on my brave face, knowing that he was in good hands and that all would be well. I think it's our job as moms to worry a little bit. It just means we love our kids, right?
After the bus was gone, we headed home to get Liv ready. Here she is sporting her new camo outfit and backpack (apparently these bags you wear over your shoulder are all the rage, as I have seen a plethera of them this year. Is this a new fad, or have I just been out of it? Anyway, I like them, and think they're cool, too. Good choice, Liv).

David was sad his sister/second mom was leaving for school.

Her carpool came right on time. Another deep breath, another big sigh. I think the first day of school was the longest day of my life! I can't count how many times I looked at the clock, wondering when they would be back. They finally did, and they brought with them mostly happy reports of the day (except that Olivia spent recess alone- that broke my heart! She knows maybe 3 kids at the school, and I guess she was feeling pretty lonely. I assured her that it would be better the next day, and even better the next. I suggested that she called her friend, Brooklyn, from her old school. She did, and I cried while she was talking to her! I just want to know that I am doing what's best for my kids, and it's hard to know that all the time, especially when they struggle. I told her to keep trying, that she would make friends in no time, and gave her a hug--more for me than for her. The rest of the week has been fabulous, and we are both feeling a lot better. Sorry for the tangent.). Sean had zero complaints. He is loving every second of it. He is thrilled that he has TWO recesses, and loves his new lunch bag. He's feeling pretty big (and he is). It will be summer again before we know it. Until then, we'll enjoy the structure, and be ready for the summer when it comes. Happy back to school, everyone!