First Day of School!!!

What a great first day! After a long 8 month wait (since kinder registration) Jack got to go to school! He was absolutely giddy with excitement last night and then got up at 5:30 this morning.

After a yummy hot breakfast of eggs and toast, it was time to get dressed and make sure the lunches were just right. We took lots of pics...so many that without Andy's sense of time and urging...we would've been late. We walked to school. It was 55 degrees and sunny! Glorious. Jack ran ahead most of the time...too excited to lolligag. We walked Madi over to her teacher, Mrs. Sides and she merged into the line right next to her BFF, Ashlyn. Ashlyn saw her new backpack (the same style as her's only a different fabric) and said with emotion, "Oh, it's beautiful!" Little girls are so adorable! The kindergarteners and their parents were to meet in the gym. So, we headed there next. The principals introduced themselves and then read The Kissing Hand. We kissed his had and then he kissed our hand. (It was all I could do not to actually cry.) After that, the kids went over to their teachers (Jack's is Mrs. Barr) and left the gym to begin their school day. Jack never looked back after he gave us hugs. He was ready! Andy went up to school to sit with him during lunch. The cheese and crackers were a bomb...soggy by lunchtime. He didn't seem to mind and had some friends to run around with at recess. Great, great, great! At the end of the day he came charging out happy and excited....and tired. Madilyn commented that it was so fun to actually look around and know everyone...a first for her. She was completely fascinated by the multitude of allergies suffered by classmates. She must have listed off 15 things! We are so blessed to not have ANY! She loves her planner book (3rd graders use planners to record their homework) and is super excited about the year.

The BIG kindergartener!

The 3rd grader!!!

New backbacks! (Thank you Gee Gee and Granddad!)

The whole gang!

Running ahead...

Jack and his buddies...our neighbors.

The "Jack Just Left" Cuddle...(Mommy is trying very hard not to cry)

Dismissal...

Yes, he made friends, but cannot remember their names...

Picking our afterschool meeting spot

Walking home...

Madilyn's First Day of First Grade

The day started off with some nerves (encouraging the silly face picture was the only way I got any cooperation in picture taking this morning), but by the time we arrived at school Madilyn was excited and ready to go. Andy met her for lunch. After going through the lunch line to get pizza, she told him with confidence, "I can do this by myself"...which we knew...but she needed to learn and feel confident about.

Andy picked her up at dimissal and took her and Jack toy shopping. She was tired after her first full day of school, but toy shopping has a way of waking up a 5 yr old! She had a great day and her teacher said very nice things about her at pick-up time. We're so glad she is having such a positive start again this year.

Madilyn Met Her Teacher

We just got home from Madilyn's new school. She met her teacher (we really like her) and she also found several familiar faces amongst the first graders. We talked to the teacher about school supplies, dress code and first day routines like where to line up and hang up backpacks, etc... Madilyn was extremly nervous on the way there and for awhile after we arrived...but was almost floating as we walked back to the car. Now, we have to get organized for the first day...pack her backpack, get her school supplies ready to go, pack a snack and lunch or decide to buy lunch, pick out an outfit, etc. She told me that she has to set her alarm tonight because it's a school night! She is ready to go!!! She is growing up.

Jack loved her classroom. He kept asking me if this was going to be his classroom.