First Day of School

Mothers everywhere anticipate this day.

I dread it.

It is a sure symbol, garbed in bright new clothes and combed hair, that my babies are growing up and away from me.

It's an official declaration that they'll be ONE YEAR OLDER very soon, further away from preschool age, toddlerhood, and infant stage.
Further away from when they and I together were everything.
Further away from lisps and mispronunciations.
Further away from silly sayings and perpetual grins.
Further away from hand-holding and snuggling.
Further away from downy hair and naps on my lap.

But never further from my heart.

McKenna Ann - SENIOR!

Tessa May - 9th Grade

The Three Littles

Maia Rhynn - 6th Grade

Cooper Robert - 4th Grade

Ivy Franzis Sarah - 1st Grade

The Gang

Can you spot the one so cool for school?

Sweet Sixth Grader

Excited - but a tad nervous.

Growing up too fast.  Mom cried all morning.

The Big Day is Here

 It's odd that one can dread the same day that another is anticipating. But it happened.

Ivy was thrilled to be starting school, and I was sad.  Very sad.

I took more than fifty pictures that morning, and it's the first time ever that I took a picture of ME with my new kindergartener. 

Why didn't I start that tradition earlier?

Then I'd have more pictures to cry over.

Here's a look at the darling new school girl . . .

With her backpack - that will last only one day.  It wasn't big enough so we bought a new one right after school.

That smile is because I'm happy for my baby, not for me!

So excited she can hardly stand it.

Precious!

With her buddy Matt - also heading off to kindergarten.

Thrilled to be on her way.

Waiting for the teacher.  She didn't want to go and play with the other kids on the playset.  It made me feel a little better that she wanted to stay right beside me.

Realizing that it's almost time to go in.  This is for real.

Mrs. Williams calls the class in.

Sitting in her spot.  Her teacher had to shoo quite a few mothers away.  But none were crying as hard as this one!

I was there early to pick her up - and this is what I found.  She was happily assimilating!

I drove to pick her up - thinking she'd be tired.  But she INSISTED on walking home, because that's what the big kids did.

Arriving on my door step.  I was so glad.

School's In!

 Our sweet little Maia is heading to 5th Grade!

Coop's excited for 3rd Grade.

The team.  They actually are starting a week before Ivy starts Kindergarten.

But she's up early and wishing she were going today too!

This kid LOVES school.

The neighborhood crew.  We always walk together the first day.  But we missed the Cushings this year.  They're being homeschooled at the The Cushing Academy of London for a few months.

Daddy always walks with us the first day.  Doesn't Maia's backpack look nice with camo?

Ethan is Coop's buddy and comes to pick him up every day for school.

These sisters are also BEST FRIENDS.

Every year I commit to taking the older kids' "first day" pictures too, but when the day arrives we're so busy and they leave the house so early that I forget.  But suffice it to say, McKenna and Tessa looked really cute too!



First Day of School

I have a big problem with my little people growing up.

But, alas, there's nothing I can do about it - so I snap pictures at milestone events . . . 

 and then cry every time thereafter that I look at them. 

My beautiful Maia - starting 4th grade with Mrs. Alston

My darling Cooper - starting 2nd grade with Mrs. Laycock

Only Three Little Ones Left

Tessa graduated from elementary school.  Before we left for Boston, she was in elementary.  Then, in Boston her grade was part of the middle school.  Then, back in Utah, she was in elementary again.  This time she's done for good.  She'll go on to junior high next year - and get to wear makeup.  She's been looking forward to that for a long time . . . since she was about three.

It's strange to have another one grow up, although I guess I should be/get used to it. 

Watching the excitement.  Unaware that mommy is worrying it will be her turn all too soon.

With Miss Menlove

It's official

Flashback: First Day of School

Tessa: 6th grade

Maia: 3rd grade

Cooper: 1st grade

With Ivy - the VERY LAST preschooler I'll ever have! (sob)

So here are some thoughts I have as I look at the pictures:

1. Why can't time slow down?

2. Why didn't I move the obnoxious yellow hose?

3. I can't believe she'll be in junior high next year.

4. He's so cute, even when he's annoyed I've called him away from playing with Carter to have a picture taken.

5. I guess I didn't get up early enough (or wasn't mentally awake enough) to take a picture of McKenna before I took her to school

6. Sure wish my kids looked this well groomed every day of the school year.

7. Sure wish my kids were ready this early every day of the school year.

8. Did I really not notice she was picking her nose when I was looking through the lens?

9. I'm so glad this has been, thus far, a good year for Maia.

10. I hope these children are always this excited about education.

11. I am blessed.