First Day of School!

Well, it happened. School started and I am still two posts behind. Oh well, I suppose you don't need to hear about our completely uneventful drive home from Vegas (though huge shout out to my dad for driving with us again - he apparently didn't have enough road trip fun the first time). The boys and I ran in a color run 5k the day after we got back to Indiana and I think I will probably still post about that at some point for two reasons: 1. It was the boys first 5k. 2. It was tons of fun. It will be a good post - but not a post for today.

Yesterday was the day we had all been simultaneously looking forward to and dreading. School started! I say looking forward to because it's another school year, it gets us back into our school year routine (which I love), and the boys always grow so much (physically and mentally) and it's really fun to see how far they come. I say dreading because I'm one of those moms who genuinely enjoys having my kids home. My boys are big helpers. They can unload the dishwasher, vacuum, read to the girls, etc., etc., etc. Aside from the fact that I think they're super cool people to hang out with, it really helps that they're such big helpers!

We began the school year with the boys' back to school nights. When we went to Noah's we were really excited to learn that his teacher was the one that Clayton had had for reading flex his first grade year. I LOVED her and secretly had wished that she was his homeroom teacher instead of just his reading group teacher. Clayton loved her too (Justin and I think she was his first crush). Anyway, I am super excited for Noah's first grade year. The next night we went to find out who Clayton's teacher was. He was really wishing and hoping for one teacher in particular. Like, REALLY hoping for her. I was prepared for some major tears when he didn't get her (because, let's face it, the odds weren't in his favor). However, he got the teacher he wanted! It was so fun for me to watch as the students filled into Mrs. Harmon's room. Clayton knew almost all of them! At one point, I heard two little girls say, "Oh no! Clayton is in our class!" and then giggle in that little girl way that they do when they secretly like a boy. Made me chuckle a little myself.

The night before school, we made sure backpacks and brand new supplies were ready to go. We had grocery shopped and gotten all the things we needed for awesome back-to-school lunches and snacks. The boys had even picked out what clothes they wanted to wear (which isn't really that cool since they wear uniforms, but still).

The morning of, we had the traditional chocolate chip pancake breakfast (which both boys were really excited about)!
(**No, Clayton isn't naked, he's just in that phase where he sleeps exclusively in underwear. Sigh.**)

This year we had applied to try to get the boys into an elementary school in a different district. It's a school that is literally blocks from our house, but because we're on the wrong side of the boundry, my boys aren't zoned for it. Long story short, they have too many 4th graders so we didn't get in. I was bummed about it because since the school is so close, my boys could have more time in the morning instead of being so rushed. However, this year Kennedy reversed their bus route! The boys are one of the last ones on and one of the first ones off! So, while going to Prairie Vista would have saved us a little more time, we found that we have about 15 extra minutes in the morning. I love it, we've been taking our time in the morning this week and it's so pleasant. Plus, we really do love Kennedy so now we get the best of both worlds!

While we were waiting for the bus, the boys posed for some pictures:

 Doesn't he look excited to be a first grader?

Clayton chose those colorful high top sneakers for his school shoes this year. They fit me and I covet them. I hope he's not too hard on them this year because I'm totally taking them once he's grown out of them (if they're not too trashed).

 Love this. So symbolic of their attitudes this year. Clayton, the big bad 4th grader. Noah, the super excited and enthusiastic 1st grader.

 Silly poses:

Clayton was trying to do one of those pictures where it looked like he was holding Noah in his hand.

 Noah didn't understand what was happening.

 Walking to the bus stop.

 Getting on the bus!

 And just like that, they were gone (and on time too, I might add).

The girls and I missed them like crazy and tried to take our minds off their absence by going swimming. After school, we greeted our boys with homemade cookies and a glass of milk and talked about their days.

They both had a great first day of school and couldn't wait to go back. I know the novelty will wear off as the year progresses, but I think they both have phenomenal teachers and they are going to have an awesome year!

Happy back to school!

Now if someone would like to volunteer their services to come unload my dishwasher...