Bittersweet Back to School

Back to school is bittersweet for me for certain.  I love lazy days we get in summer sometimes, yet I also love the routine of school. I love school supplies and organizing and yes, even filling out forms! The end of summer seems like it swoops in and bam! it's over and we're back to school.  Part of that in my family, is our August is filled with band camp, cheer camp, and practices for other activities right before school starts.  This year our kids are a junior in high school, a new middle schooler, a first grader and a two year old who wants to go to school so badly!

You can read the rest over at Pittsburgh Moms Blog...

Where Did Summer Go?

Here we are, day 2 of the newest school year and my husband and I are shaking our heads wondering where summer went.  This was the fastest summer I can remember.  Fastest year of my life actually. Violet is just a handful of weeks away from turning one. One! How is this even possible?!  Fastest year of my life!

I'm not one who sits waiting waiting waiting for kids to go back to school and is cheering when the door closes. I like the flexible time with my kids.  I do, however, like the routine of the school year as well. We had a great summer and Andrew traveled all over as he usually does.  He always has a summer filled with things, so the closer-to-home of the school year is nice too.  I guess, I just try to embrace it all and make the most of what I've got.

Andrew is a freshman in high school this year.  Class of 2018.

Nothing like that reality check to make you realize how quickly your kids grow up and how soon they will leave for college.  One of my best friends who has known Andrew since he was 11 weeks old commented on his 1st day picture yesterday..."Howwwwwwww?" This. Exactly this.  It has gone crazy fast!

He has to catch his bus before 7 in the morning this year.  Actually 2 minutes later than the time he woke up last year, so getting used to getting up early should be a treat.

 I woke up around 5:45am without an alarm, unable to sleep, so I figured I might as well get Andrew's breakfast started.  He's been in the bad habit the last few years of not eating breakfast, so I'm determined to change that this year.  Though I do always make his favorite breakfast of biscuits and gravy for the first day of school.

He did wake up a little earlier than he will normally have to the first day because he knew we'd be taking pictures, of course. I teared up taking his first day pictures as he hit this new milestone in his life.

This year is a new year with no glasses! He's ventured into wearing contacts and so far, so good.  His shirt is, well, perfect. It's so him.

He was actually ok with me driving him to the bus this morning just to make sure it came. {last year the high school bus never showed up the 1st day}  I had to promise him I wouldn't get out and take any pictures though, so I took one from the car, hence the fogged up window. I couldn't exactly lean out the driver's side and get one. :)

And he's off...

Reagan has spent every first year of school with us since she started kindergarten. I actually think that's strange, but it is how it's been, so I just go with it.  She is a 5th grader this year and looking forward to being in beginning band, learning to play the flute.  She's also a new part of the Gifted & Talented Education {GATE} program this year which we feel will be really good for her growth as a young girl. I'm glad she's got some of her own things to look forward to this year!

George and Lily took Reagan to the bus while Violet and I waved "bye bye."

Happy 1st day!

5 Years as Brother and Sister

Since Andrew's bus is gone before Reag is even awake, I had to get pictures of the two of them together after school.  Luckily, they indulge without complaint!

They started out doing what they were supposed to be doing...

 

But quickly, after being a little slap-happy from getting up early and being worn out after school, they just got goofy.  Happy back to school!

 



 



1st Day of Junior High

 

I cannot believe that today I sent my Andrew off to junior high school!

 

I can still very vividly remember my first day in 7th grade. It was quite honestly one of my worst days in school EV-ER.  I was, however, greeted at the back door when I got home from the bus stop by my mom who handed me a Sprite and I'm glad THAT is the lasting part of my 1st day of junior high memory. ♥

Yesterday we headed out to get Andrew's haircut...you know, last minute. Just like right before graduation. ;) His only requirement is "short".  Truthfully, he just likes not having to brush his hair.

 

We stopped to pick up a couple last minute school supplies while we were out and the rest of the evening was filled with prepping backpacks, organizing school supplies, choosing first day of school outfits and hanging out watching Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone before showers and bed. 

 

He was both nervous and excited to start 7th grade which is pretty much what I expected.

 

Alarm set for 6:20am is nearly an hour earlier than last year, so he was definitely still tired this morning.  I promised him his favorite breakfast this morning ~ biscuits and gravy. That meant I was up at 6:00am and of course, was up too late last night. Of course early rising, was completely worth it when he said, "I like that we have Mom & Andrew time."

 

Me too, kid.

 

He ate breakfast, brushed his teeth, grabbed his backpack and out the door we went for picture taking! At this point in his life, he knows the drill and there's no getting out of it. ;) I did cried when we were heading back inside after taking pictures... I just got hit with this overwhelming surge of emotion that my first baby isn't that far from graduating high school. Fortunately, he made me laugh and my almost ugly cry turned to my favorite emotion~ laughing through tears.

 



     

  We drove down to the bus stop for today {his choice}. I think he was tired. haha!  I was glad to see a few other kids this year. I think they're all 8th graders, but glad he's not the only one.  Afew minutes later, the bus came and he was off for a new adventure! Here's hoping he has the best first day!!

 

love you to the moon...

5th grade

Tuesday was Andrew's 1st day of school.

New school.

The only person he knew was the lunch lady.

He was pretty nervous to start and when he was walking into his classroom, he looked back at me with that look.

You know the one where he's silently telling me he's scared and doesn't want to be doing what he's doing and he wants me to fix it.  I cried as I walked back to the car.
I may or may not be crying as I'm writing this and thinking about it...

I knew he'd be fine almost immediately, but that didn't stop me from feeling terrible all day until I picked him up. And he was.

I cannot believe my 1st 'baby' is in 5th grade this year!

As I expected, his first day was a success. He made new friends, was excited about his teacher--1st male teacher he's had--loved his lunch and recess (the school he was in last year in 4th grade didn't have recess--yes, 4th-6th grade with no recess...ever).

He grew a lot this summer and is becoming more and more young man and not the boy who stole my heart nearly 11 years ago. When I look in his eyes I can still see that baby I gave birth to, the toddler I adored, the boy I have so much pride for and now this young man who simply amazes me. I am so proud and honored that he is my son.

I just cannot believe he's in FIFTH grade!

Big Sister's 1st Day of School

Today was R, my stepdaughter's, first day of school. She's started 1st grade this year and we're really excited!

She went to bed last night a little nervous, as she wasn't sure what to expect.  She was REALLY looking forward to buying lunch at school for the 1st time! :)  She was super cute!

This morning, she woke up, got ready for school--still with a little nervousness, but more excitement! We told her how proud we are and how much fun 1st grade is going to be for her. She was all smiles as she headed off to her classroom!

Interestingly enough, her school's "meet the teacher" was tonight AFTER the first day. Weird, but whatever.

This is the picture she drew for the front of the packet of information:

(From left to right: 
R, Fred (our dog), George, Andrew, me and the walnut or baby Jesus in the carseat at the bottom of the drawing is Lily. ♥  Daddy and the kids are fishing and she put a lilypad in the lake haha!
I love that she draws hearts on she and I everytime she draws us.)