1st days of school 2017

School started this week. Our summer is officially over, and we are sad...but there are good things about school starting and having a routine. Lily was really sad she didn't get the teacher she wanted this year, she actually got the exact teacher she didn't want!  Last year she didn't get in the same class with any of her closest friends, and wasn't loving school - which just made it harder to get her out the door in the mornings. Well, we heard some nice things about the teacher she got this year, and got a nice letter from her and we tried to help Lily have an open minded attitude about her (because everyone gets a teacher they don't like at some point, and chances are Lily just had a first impression overhearing her talking to a student who was misbehaving and needed a stern tone). Well, it has turned out awesome! Lily absolutely LOVES her teacher, and has tons of nice girls in her class this year, and was so excited to tell me about her 1st day, and chattering on again at bedtime last night about how excited she was to go to school and how much she loved school! I get tears in my eyes even typing about it - I am so relieved and happy!!! It makes such a difference every day when your child does, or doesn't like school! Lily telling me anything about school - is HUGE!! I have been anxious enough about this year because Sierra is also starting Kindergarten and I am planning on going back to work full time - so this great start is a big weight off my mind!

So here are Lily's 1st day of school pictures from earlier this week:
Happy 4th grader!

Lily got braces at the end of the summer -  here are a couple extra pictures of that:

Loved this picture I found on Mike's phone:

Such a beauty!

We had an interview with Sierra's teacher yesterday and went to the school's Open House/Ice Cream social last night, but the first day of Kindergarten didn't start until today.

And the moment you've all been waiting for...

Sierra's 1st day of Kindergarten!!

All ready with her gear!

 This backpack is a little heavy!

 She's got this!

Lily was not too excited to have to stop to have her picture taken

 so you can see her smile is a little strained ;)

Sierra comforting pat says: You can do it, Lily ;)

Lily really didn't want to have to take another picture with the bear!

(and other kids walking by) Ha ha!

 Sierra didn't mind :)

My baby!

Hoping this little love has a great day today! I miss her so much already, but I didn't cry until her dad started talking about how much harder it was dropping her off than it was when it was Lily (because he felt like he hasn't had as much time to play with her as he did with Lily). The tears started to flow, and I noticed a couple of other red-faced moms in the parking lot as we headed to our car. I think she will thrive in Kindergarten, she loves to be active and be with other kids, and was definitely getting bored at home. Here's hoping I can learn to juggle working and being a mom and not get burned out this year! Maybe I'll be an even better mom than before...? We will see... I sure hope so! Lots of changes going on!