Hi ho, hi ho, it's off to school we go!

Today was interesting. For the first time ever I drove to the elementary, dropped off 3 children, and left with only 1 still in tow. Unbelievable! It seems like just yesterday that my 3 big kids were small and all running around here in diapers. Trent, Trey and Julia are each just 18 months apart, and at one point I had a barely 3 year old, an 18 month old and a newborn. I look back, impressed that I survived. And now look at them, they are each wonderful and unique in their own way. I just can't get over how much they've grown, right before my eyes, with out me noticing! How is that possible?

(Julia, Trent and Trey were standing, smiling and ready to have this "1st day of school" picture taken, when Lauren noticed and ran right in, right where she belonged and said "cheese". It was one of those "cutest ever" moments.)

This morning Daddy made waffles for breakfast and then off we went. It was hard to drop each child off one at a time. I wanted to stay with each of them, but they all needed help finding their classrooms.

Julia the Kindergartner!

Julia found her way to room E1 without any help from me. She is completely familiar with this room. I am so glad that all 3 of my kids have had the same Kindergarten classroom! Julia's teacher this year is Mrs. Chindlund, who was Trey's Kinder teacher just 2 short months ago! Julia has one of her best friends, Kate in her class, which makes 3 times now that my good friend Drinda's children have shared a Kindergarten classroom with mine.

Julia and Kate

Julia ran right up to Mrs. Chindlund and said hello, then directly to the balance beam that she has had her eye on for the past 3 years. Now it is "her playground"! Horray! After school Julia ran into my arms and looked up at me and said "that was so much fun!". Then she turned and walked back to her teacher and said "thank you", to which her teacher replied with a surprise "what good manners!" I was so proud of my Jules and so happy for her that we decided to hit up Rite Aid for ice cream cones and talk about all the "fun" she had.

Trey our 1st grader!

Trey is making the big transition into 1st grade this year! He has Ms. Leon, who seems very nice, and was thrilled to have two of his very best friends from Kindergarten in his class again this year; Evan and Emily. I am really going to miss Trey now that he is at school all day. I find myself wishing that he didn't have to grow up so fast. Of course I went over with him not twice, but 3 times where to meet me after school. I was just so worried about him, imaging him wondering around this big school trying to find his Momma at the end of the day. For good reason too, I pulled up at 2:30 to find Trent ALONE! It took me 15 minutes to find Trey. His teacher had led the class to another pick up area where he waited until I found him. What a good boy. When I asked him what he enjoyed most about his first day of school he said he liked recess the best. He was just amazed that he got to go to recess 3 times and reminded me that in Kindergarten they only had 1 recess. Tonight as Trey was climbing into bed he said "I like school so much Mom, I wish I could go there right now!". I just love him to pieces.

Trent the big 3rd grader!

Trent was so eager to find his classroom this morning. He is a big 3rd grader this year (the school only goes to 5th grade, so 3rd is part of the older half). His classroom is in the "big building", which is very exciting to him. He was totally frantic and impatient as I dropped off Julia and Trey first. At one point I looked up and saw him half way across the school off to find his class my himself because he didn't want to wait for me! I had to run to catch up with him! His teacher is Mrs. Kirk, who not only is a member of our church, but is also the mother of some very good friends of ours. I am really thrilled that she is Trent's teacher this year. Trent talked my ear off all afternoon and evening about his new teacher and how wonderful she is, which makes me so happy as a Mom. There is nothing more comforting as a mother than knowing that your children are happy and safe when they are at school. I feel very blessed.

Lauren waived good-bye to her big brothers and sisters, calling them by name as we pulled away. I am looking forward to the special time we will get to spend together, but glad that Julia is only gone for a short 3 1/2 hours so that they can still have their sister time to play and make memories together while the boys are still at school.

After school I took the boys for ice cream too and for Family Night we talked to the children about school and Darin gave them each a special father's blessing.

I've finished signing what felt like a never ending pile of paperwork and resolved to wake up at least 30 minutes earlier tomorrow. Getting 3 ready for school felt like a lot more than 2, especially when the morning now involves a sleepy 4 year old and a request for 2 french braids!

We are all ready and eager for the challenge of a new school year. It will be a good one, I can tell already.