First {Second and Third}

I don't know how it got here...but it did...
No matter how organized and ahead of schedule I think I am...

...the first day of school is here...right now...today!   And we were still cramming to get things together the night before!
Alex and Emily were emptying out their backpacks that were tossed in a basket on the last day of school...and sorting through the old and the new to get ready for their first day back to school!

But it's official...we were made quite aware at their open house... because they have their own assigned seats...
...one in {second} grade...

{in Alex's old stomping ground...see him back there checking things out!}

{...sigh... this picture makes me a little sad...she is really growing up... even though she looks tiny!  Her teacher already said she may need to move Emily up so she can see...ha!}

Alex also had Mrs. Major...and I love her!  And I'm so glad that she will be a familiar face and routine again this year!

And one in {third} grade...{gulp!}

{all of those big textbooks make me a little nervous!  it looks like there will be some fun...ahem...homework nights ahead!}

{I asked Alex to get a picture with his new teacher Miss Burris...but he wouldn't do it...and she was pretty busy...so here she is...ha!  I didn't want to embarrass Alex in front of his class already...so I didn't torture him...this time!}

I'm always a little nervous the night before the first day...always have been...I just can't help myself!  I'm so thankful that Alex and Emily seem to love school and can't wait to go!

I think Emily was up before 6:30am showing me {in the dark} that she was all dressed in her outfit!  I love her!

{we were going to pick this sunflower for her first day...but we decided to let it grow a little more! there is another one growing around the corner...they are randomly growing around our pool and I love them!}

She changed her outfit choice about three times... but because she is so small...not everything she wanted to wear fits her yet!  {I seriously did buy her a brand new skirt that was a size 3!  But I know Ellie will enjoy it someday too!}

Alex...on the other hand... doesn't really care what he wears, so I did give him my two cents worth!  And he was not so eagerly awake and bright-eyed this morning...I had to give him a little nudge!

Once he woke up, though...he was geared up and ready to go!

I just can't believe that I have a second grader...

And a third grader...

Where does the time go?

I always worry if I'm going to have enough time to get everything ready and get enough pictures for their first day of school...{I think I succeeded there...ha!}

...but somehow there is always enough time and they are at the bus stop in plenty of time!

{first ones at the bus stop!} 

It's been fun seeing all the kids grow up each year... a few of them have moved onto middle school {gulp} and some of the other siblings are now in kindergarten and get to join the group!   And I'm glad we have a great group of kids for Alex and Emily to hang out with in the mornings!  {although it can get pretty rowdy some mornings with all the boys!}

I really miss these kids being little and want them to stay home with me just a little bit longer every summer...but I'm so proud of them and it's such a blessing to be able to watch them grow up and become independent and go off to learn new things! 

Here's to another great start on the first day of school!

Have a wonderful year...

...beautiful second grader...

...and handsome third grader...

...but take your time and enjoy everything along the way!  Don't grow up too fast!