The First Day of School

Yesterday Allie & Jack started 2nd and 5th grade. Our day started out very early! The kids were a bit groggy but were excited to eat our traditional breakfast of smiley face pancakes - something that we do on special occasions and every 1st Day of School. I had a little daydream the other day about Allie eating a smiley face pancake on the morning of her wedding day... After breakfast we rushed outside to take our traditional 1st Day of School pictures. Boy, my kids have grown a lot since we started doing this 8 years ago when Allie first went to preschool - with her little backpack on her back and her naptime blanket that I had made for her. Once we got to school I had a heartbreaking mommy-moment as I watched my girl stand at the doorway of the classroom that her best friends are in realizing that this was not her classroom. For the first time since kindergarten she was not in the same class as her 2 best buddies. I said, "You can go say hi.", and she jumped at the chance. After a quick hi and bye, she went to her classroom. After the orientaion that I went to on Tuesday, I realized how much I love her teacher and how perfect a fit she will be for Allie. When I picked Allie up from school today, she told me how much she loved her teacher too - a first, for her to show enthusiasm about that. I am thankful that she was placed right where she needs to be... although relationship-wise, she will have some growing and changing to do this year. We moved on to Jack's class where the rowdy 2nd grade boys set the fun tone for the room. He was excited about going to school. He loves it. He loves learning. He loves his friends. He loves playing. So after a few hugs, and a headbutt - not a kiss - Corey, Cooper, and I were off. We stopped at Starbucks to have a little First Day of School Moment together then we all jumped into our school year places. Corey off to work and Coop and I playing Legos, watching The Wiggles, cleaning house, and shopping. When I picked the kids up they had both had good days. Great days, infact.