school daze

Well, it's finally here... the first day of school! All 3 kids were up bright and early (Ben heard Em and Nick talking at breakfast, or he might have slept a lot longer). Even though he wouldn't admit it, I think Nick must've been a little excited to go back to class ~ I've never seen him get ready so quickly in the morning before, LOL. And, as expected, Em was excited and very nervous.

Our new morning schedule is a little strange for all of us because, for the last three years, Emmalie has been out the door and heading to her bus stop before the rest of us were even awake, and now she will be the last to leave the house. (Middle school starts an hour later than her old school did, and half an hour later than Nick's school.)

Since it's the first day, Ben and I walked Nick to school. (I had to get those traditional pictures in front of the school sign!) Here is our new 4th grader:

When we got back home, it was time for Em to head to the bus stop, and Ben and I went with her. Here is our new 7th grader. She is required to wear her ID at all times when she's at school:


We waited at the bus stop... and waited... and waited... and waited. The bus was supposed to come around 8:35. We know from experience that it's usually running a bit late on the first day of school, but by 8:50, it still hadn't come and George was driving past us on his way to work. We stopped him, and he agreed to drop Em off so she wouldn't have to be late on her first day of middle school. She was already nervous enough about not having enough time to get to her locker and then to her first class!

So, now they are gone and it's just me and Ben here at home. He was not very happy to hear that his big brother and sister (his best buddies!) would be gone all day long.... I'm enjoying the quiet for now... but am also anxious for them to get back home so I can hear all about their first day!