Back 2 School

In our family, the night before school starts we have a little tradition. We have a nice dinner, yummy dessert and then each child has the opportunity to receive a father's blessing for the new school year. (Go here if you don't know what that is) This year we decided to do a backyard bbq and for dessert Bakerella's Lemon Cake Balls--delish!

It was such a nice cool evening,
a welcome change from the horrible humidity we had been experiencing.

After the festivities, the kids showered and picked out their outfits
for the next day and were in bed at a reasonable hour.

And then it hit me:

I now have three kids in all day school...

My heart melts when I see these two walk to school together. Brayden is such a good big brother, he walks his little sister to her classroom everyday and then picks her up after school and walks her home. I love how he takes care of her.

And one is a middle schooler.

She only missed her bus twice, the first two days of school. But in our defense, the bus driver showed up twelve minutes early both days!! (they got a little phone call from a concerned parent...or so I heard)

Quotes from the kids:
"Middle school rocks! I love all eight of my classes!"-Allyson, 11
"I was nervous that my teacher would be mean, but she is actually pretty nice" -Brayden, 9
"I love first grade"- Reese, 6
"I don't want my picture taken!" - Owen, 3

I'm so happy they are enjoying their first week. It was hard to leave my Reesey at school all day, she is my little shadow and I'll miss her following me around!
but
For now I'm enjoying my one-on-one time with little Owen