School's in

Sign #1 that schooltime is fast approaching:

It's the BACK TO SCHOOL PARADE!!  We anxiously await the letters from their teachers that arrive about a week before school starts.  And then the morning of "Meet the Teacher", usually on Thursday there is the parade!!  Where a police escorted parade of cars and trucks (one for each grade and a bus filled with the administrators and their kids) drive around our neighborhood.  We meet with friends for potluck breakfast at the park and wait anxiously to see the teachers.

When the first grade teachers came by (Sam) I got Mrs. Keim's attention and she yelled, "What's your name?"  We screamed "Sam!", she then yelled back "Hi Sam!!"--it was very exciting!

But I am so sad for summer to end.  It's been our BEST ONE YET filled with so many fun adventures and time to do whatever we wanted.  The school time routine is so busy and rigid....

FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL!!

Here is Sam--ready to go, a little nervous about everything.  Sporting his new favorite "Angry Birds" shirt!  He starts 1st Grade with Mrs. Keim.  Mrs. Keim can be intimidating.  She's tall and has a deep voice.  But she's a GREAT teacher and she's been teaching for a long time.  I told him that it's good she's loud because he is too!  

Kaitlyn has Mrs. Asif, for third grade.  Mrs. Asif is a mother of 6 and also an experienced teacher.  She is calm and that will be good for Kaitlyn.  Kaitlyn is nervous until she identifies a "friend" in her class.  She did.  She was so excited to wear a certain new dress to school but within the first hour of wearing it the spaghetti strap on it came undone so she had to change.  She was upset but this could have been a REALLY BIG disappointment for her but she was pretty flexible and quickly changed into this dress (which we all LOVE).  

Kaitlyn was also VERY ready to GO!  She wanted to walk on her own, walk with friends, and I was so proud of this confidence in her.  She walked into her classroom and was great but at the last minute needed one more reassuring hug and kiss.  She's going to have a GREAT year!

 I sure love these two--the house is much quieter with them not around.