First Day of School 2013

I can't believe the summer is over! I swear, when I was a kid the summer seemed to last forever! Now, it FLIES by! Insane! But, summer break finally came to an end, so we packed up our school supplies and headed to the school Open House last night to see classrooms and turn in supplies. Landon has been REALLY dreading school. He wouldn't let me take any pictures of him in his classroom or in front of the classroom. He is in the same class as he was in last year (it's a multiage grade 2/3 class). His teacher was diagnosed with breast cancer at the end of last school year. Over the summer she had one surgery, but unfortunately had to go in last week for another surgery. Then she has radiation treatments all next week. She is planning on coming back as soon as she can, which proves that she TRULY loves what she does! The kids will have the same sub until she gets back, and it's a sub they all love, so it should be a pretty smooth transition.

 Addie was excited to meet her new teacher, Ms. Doan. She seemed SO sweet, and has an adorable classroom with a broadway theme. Addie's class is in a portable unit this year, however, the teacher has done such a fantastic job with the room that even Landon was wishing he was in a portable unit after we were done visiting the classroom (and remember, Landon has a SUPER awesome Diner themed classroom with a real Diner counter and booths)!

 After we were done at the school we hurried home to lay out school clothes for the next day, Steven gave the kids a Father's Blessings,  then we hurried into bed with an early bedtime in hopes of making a smoother morning this morning. And boy howdy, did we have a smooth morning! Addie was, of course, super excited! (I tried to be trendy and have the kids hold signs, however, I should have made the ink darker, the font bigger, and the picture closer, so it didn't really turn out as I hoped!)

Also, there was the early morning light we were working with, and I'm obviously not very good at working with the light...

Addie really loves that her lunch box attaches to her book bag this year. And I really love that she chose one of the cheapest book bags, and it is character free!!

I will be honest with you. I was SUPER nervous about how Landon's morning would go. He has been DREADING school, and he tends to have emotional meltdowns when faced with something he really doesn't want to do. He woke up this morning, came into my room and said 'Mom, guess who decided that maybe they do like school a little bit?' then pointed to himself. I was insanely proud of his choice to have a positive attitude and make the best of this situation. He came home in an equally good mood which made me just as happy!

 Such a cool and handsome kid!

We, of course, had to do the traditional pictures next to the school bus and climbing on the school bus.

Grant came home from getting the kids on the bus stop and plopped on the couch and declared that he needed to have a friend over to play because he didn't have anyone to play with now. Luckily, he and Ella played so well all day, and we the cutest little friends.

Even still, we were ready for the bus when 3:40 rolled around. Ella and Grant were so excited to see Landon and Addie.

 And we had a great time talking about all the exciting things that happened at school over some cookies and milk (a tradition my mom started for all of us kids, and I'm gladly carrying on).

I kept asking Addie to smile, but she would only eat her cookie, or pose with her cookie in her mouth.

 

Then we finished the the day with dinner at Texas Roadhouse (where we had coupons for free kids meals, thanks to the library summer reading program!). It was an AWESOME first day. Here's to hoping tomorrow, and the many other days to follow, will go as smoothly and happily!