The Beginning of an End {The First Day of School}

...the end of summer...

{Summer swimming with friends...}

{water balloon fun...}

{...and enjoying slushies...}

We had a great summer and we enjoyed our last weekend of summer hanging out with friends and relaxing in the hot hot sun!  It's always hard to see summer end...

But it only means it's time for another new beginning...

{newly sharpened pencils & an organized pencil box...}

{...clipping favorite key chains on a new backpack & getting new shoes...}

The first day of school brings so much excitement...finding out where your new desk is...who will be in your class...and learning new things!

{Emily changed her shoes and outfit just before going to bed...I had something nice for Alex to wear...but he complained and said "Why can't I wear real clothes?"  Ha!  He's so sweet...he would wear what I picked out for him...but this is his day...and he wanted to wear IU!}

{not that thrilled about school starting...and all the picture taking...but I got some smiles out of him!}

{headed to the bus stop}

{Here comes the bus...about 20 minutes late...but the kids love playing at the bus stop with all their friends!}

This is such a bittersweet year...

...Emily has been giving me lots of hugs and telling me she's going to miss me...break my heart...

I will miss her too...we had lots of fun last year hanging out in the afternoons...

But I know she will have so much fun meeting new friends, eating lunch at school and, of course recess!

They are both growing up so fast...and I can't believe I finally have an empty house with both of them gone at school all day...

...at least for a few more months anyway!

There are so many new beginnings this year...it's hard to let go of these little babies...and to see this phase of their lives end...

{no more round chubby-faced preschoolers!}

But I have so much excitement and anxiety of the year ahead...

Here's to another awesome school year!

{now...I have plenty of laundry...organizing...dishes...dusting...grocery shopping...painting...mopping...messages to return.......

I have a feeling this year is going to zoom by!}