School's Back in!

It's your first day now, your very first day.  The first day of school yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah! That's a song I know, courtesy of Jana and Michael dating all the way back to 1990-something.  But it's true...the first day happened!  And it all went really well and so we can all breath a big sigh of relief.  

The day before the first day of school was a day for Gentry to meet her teacher.  And I was SO EMOTIONAL about it.  Like, I had to seriously hold back the tears.  I don't know if I worry about her more because she's my fourth and I'm running out of babies or if I worry about her speech and hearing, but I was just so sad that she was going to be in school.  But her teacher is amazing and I think will be a big help for her and it is the right place for her to be.  She found a place to sit and got to work right away and was just happy the whole time.

I couldn't resist a picture of all these brand new crayons.  So first day of school.

Claira is in second grade and has Mr. Winhall's class.  No one in our family has had him before so that's new and exciting.  Claira is just a great student and will do well wherever she is.  This is her first man teacher so that will be a change but so far so good.  

 And she is killing me with her new haircut.  She is so adorable. 

 Maren was feeling a little left out with everyone getting their picture taken.  Who is cuter than that?!?!  I dare say there is no one. 

 First day of Transitional Kindergarten!  She gets to be in TK since she has an october birthday and is just a few months away from "real" kindergarten.  She was all ready to go even though she did wake up with a stomach ache.  Luckily that went away with some hugs and snuggles and reassurance that TK was going to be awesome. 

 And it was!  She came home and said, "Mom, TK is so great.  I'm not scared anymore!"

 4th grade.  4th grade.  It seems so old to me.  She has Mrs. Clar and Mrs. Wampler just like Pacen had for 5th grade.  She is a little smarty pants and will have a fabulous year.  This is the first year that you can run for student council and I think she will.  She's already been talking about it.  She cut about 5 inches of hair off the other day and has been so happy about it.  She almost always knows what she wants and does it.  Except for getting dressed.  She takes forever and always asks me what she should wear.  :)

 6th grade!  That is middle school people!!!!  He is at WCI and I've been worrying about it all summer and it's finally here.  And he's had a really great transition!  The homework hasn't really started yet, but even so far he seems so  much more responsible than he was last year.  I'm excited to see how he does!

 And Than was very happy with his choice for first day of school outfit.  Go cougars!  And he really is the sweetest boy ever.  When he came home from school, we talked all about everything and he gave me all the details and then he said, "Mom, where'e Maren?  Can I wake her up because with all the stuff I have going on I will never see her."  He is the best big brother.  And how did she repay him when she got up from her nap?  By ignoring him and not letting him hug her.  Geez, Maren.  The guy loves you for crying out loud, give him a break. :)

 The picture show continues.  I just love these kids.  The summer has been awesome but it can't be summer forever.  School will be good to get back on a schedule and have more of a routine. 

These two better stick together.  They have a good relationship and I hope it stays that way. 

 Only two more years and you get to go to school little girl!

 She was pretty put out that she didn't get to stay at school.  That is, until I turned on a show for her and then she was good again. 

 The whole crew!  11, 9, 6, 4, 2.  

The girls + Morgan. 

The girls + Morgan + Emma + Maddie.  We have a great little neighborhood. 

Da Boys.  They gotta stick together.  

Going to school was kind of a mess.  One me and three kids in three different classrooms.  We went to camay's class first and she is lucky to be in her class because there are so many good girls in it.  She is going to thrive this year for sure.  

Next, I dropped off Gentry.  She was totally ready to do this thing.  I, on the other hand, was not.  I did hold back the tears since I had already cried the day before and it helps because I think her teacher is going to be so awesome.  I know Gentry is going to grow, grow, grow this year. And isn't she cute with those bangs?!?!?!  Melt my heart. 

Last but not least, Claira dear.  Her classroom just happened to be the furthest away.  She was sitting right next to Dalia (who broke her leg like all he way up her leg and has a full leg cast!) and was very happy despite the picture.  I think she is just more nervous and reserved in these types of situations but now she feels just fine about it.  She is a great student and really loves learning on her own too.  I'm so lucky to be a mom to such great kids for reals. 

One last look at Claira's classroom before we were off....

And one more swing by Gentry's room.  It practically had more parents than students in there!  They were singing a song and Gentry was doing the arm motions and I had to turn and walk away.  They are in a good place. 

And now for Pacen Boy.  The big middle schooler.  They have late days on Wednesdays and so we got to hang around a little and wait for drop off time.  And seriously, he left my car and didn't even look back!  What's up with that?!!?!?  See ya later dude!  

And I have to say that he has been fine.  More responsible even.  I'm so happy that he's taking school seriously and really trying to stay on top of things.  I'm so proud of him!

And then it was time for some of this! I don't know what it was....okay, I do.  I put too many things in my schedule and we play play play play....but I was so tired!  The whole week I was going to bed at like 8:30.  You would think that I was the one that started school.  I love my Maren and Me time.  I wish it wasn't so full of grocery shopping and errand running but that is the life we have right now.  We'll get in a good rhythm and get more fun things in there. The first few days, she was down right grumpy and I think it was adjusting to the kids being gone all day.  And she's addicted to my phone.  So if I wasn't giving her all the attention, or if she didn't have my phone she would be having a meltdown. This week is better and as the weeks go on I'll get her less and less addicted.  At least that's my goal.  And to get her potty trained but she's totally not into it. 

When she came home she was just like, "TK is so awesome!"  I love her smiling face!  Yesterday, she was like, "Why do you keep asking me about TK?"  :)  I get it, you love it and are totally happy there. Which is the greatest news ever. 

And luckily, Maren still gets some Gentry time.  

Happy School Year!