First day of school

It's hard to believe that summer is over already - where did the time go? The past 2 months have just flown by as they've been packed with all kinds of events & activities going on - conferences, day camps, sleep overs, bike rides, family outings to Brusters, swimming, camping...even the air is starting to smell different when the breeze blows. That hot summer air has turned a bit & the evenings are becoming cool & damp. Fall is coming and we're all ready for that change.

Today was a different day in our house - exciting and yet bittersweet... the first day of school! It's hard to believe that A is in 2nd grade already. She has a great teacher that we're really excited about and a class full of kids to become friends with. She was apprehensive last night when I tucked her into bed & we started praying together - the tears came and soon I discovered just how nervous she was. But when we woke her this AM she jumped out of bed & got dressed immediately into her new red dress. The excitement had overshadowed those fears & she barely let me take a few pictures because she was in a hurry to get to the bus stop (with 15 minutes to spare).

I put her on the bus with tears in my eyes - joy for her and her excitement, but also sadness as I realize how fast she's growing and becoming more independent. We're all glad to be starting on a routine again, but I still long for those days when we play games on the floor or lie in bed listening to music together & sing silly songs. Those are the moments we cherish.

The day passed slowly without her in the house, even Tucker was moping around. But I was so glad when she got off the afternoon bus with a big smile on her face yelling, "SECOND GRADE IS AWESOME"!! God answered her prayers. It doesn't get any better than that.