Day 1

Well, I did it. For the fifth year in a row I swallowed the lump in my throat and let my babies go. I did not cry this year but I did tear up a bit and I admit that I had to take a few deep breaths to rattle my emotions into place while I was walking to the car.

The kids had a fantastic day, but let's not jump to the after. Let's start with before.

When I told Alyssa to give me a less stiff pose this is the reaction I got. That face is cut and paste exactly the same stink face she gave me all the time as a baby. If I glance at this picture I can almost make myself believe that she is still my bald little fussy faced 8 month old baby girl and I guess I should own that something about this picture looks very much like me, or my mom, or both? Tangent one complete.

It was 90 degrees today so the cardigan didn't last long and I had to swap the long sleeved shirt that came with the outfit for a white t-shirt. The first two days of school are always hot, but next week we will be in the 60's so I don't dare buy a Summery first day outfit and of course I don't dare send her in old clothes on the first day. I know I am a snob, but tomorrow she will be in her old worn Summer clothes. Tangent two complete.

I would love for Alex to be my little trendy vest and newspaper boy hat Gymboree poster boy but the only thing he wanted new for the first day was an Aaron Rodgers jersey, and I can certainly respect that too. Mini tangent.

Chloe wanted to be in the pictures and how could I say no? One finger for our first grader and four for our fourth grader. Fourth grader. Wow, had to say that again to let it hit my brain.

Oh and don't forget a backpack shot mom.

After we left the kids Chloe wanted her own picture by the sign. She is looking off to the side because a lady was driving down the road and pulled over to yell to Chloe...Woo Hoo! First Day of School and similar words of encouragement.

While the kids were gone I met a few friends (Holly, Cheryl, and Gabby) at Cracker Barrel for breakfast. The first day of school always feels so long and it was an enjoyable way to keep myself from staring at a clock. In fact, I think we should do it once a month.

After breakfast we hit Target and yes, I did buy Chloe a toy because being the baby is awesome. And then we went home where the clock watching began.

I got to school 30 minutes early and when 2:30 finally strolled along my kids came bursting from the school dangling in friends and happiness. Alyssa loved her new teacher and that was a huge relief to me. Alex said he had the best day ever, the best teacher ever and Ella sits at his table. He has liked Ella since Preschool. He was so excited when he found that she goes to his Elementary School, but dismayed that every other boy also loves Ella. But his confidence is strong and he says he will beg if he has to, but he will marry Ella. He is too funny. Today he asked me if I liked a boy in Kindergarten. Of course I did, didn't everyone? I even remember his name because my mom teased me every time I saw him until High School Graduation. Anyway, Alex asked if I wanted to marry him and I told him no to which he responded, "oh, well I'm going to marry Ella." I am happy to see his schoolboy crush survived the Summer. Alright, that was another tangent.

After school we followed tradition and went to ice cream with Alyssa's friends. Alyssa met two girls on day one of Kindergarten and since then it is understood that we will always do ice cream after the first day of school. Last year she never really talked to the girls. They have gone a few years with different teachers and drifted a bit but still they were waiting for us and ready to go out for ice cream. This year Quinn and Alyssa are in the same class again and we are all so excited. That was the first person she met on day one and Quinn still retells the story every year about how Alyssa was so hysterical that the whole class had to try to "hush her down" and the principal had to come help. How many tangents was that now?

The original buddies were Quinn, Alyssa and Lauren (picture from last year).

Yes, they are her age, Alyssa is just small. I had to move her to a size 1 shoe this year even though she still measures at a 13 because I didn't want her to have to wear baby styles anymore.

Lauren's mom couldn't take off work today so she couldn't join us but another friend, Emma was able to come along. So here are the after shots.

Chloe was requesting that I take pictures of her waiting outside the school.

Quinn, Alyssa, Emma

When I asked Alyssa why she was so serious, she threw me a little on demand silly.

Mommy, look at my tongue.

Me too Mommy. I want a tongue picture too.

Once we got home the kids ran all over the neighborhood checking in to see how everyone's first day was and then we rounded out Day 1 with a family dinner at Texas Roadhouse. All in all it was a smashing success, but how many days until Summer vacation?

I better go now. I cut my eyeball and am trying to decide if it needs medical attention, but in the meantime I think it at least needs to be closed. Plus, that darn alarm is going to be singing to me again at 5:45 tomorrow.