BTS 2011

All the kids ready early the first day back! (Notice the neighbors cut down our lovely hedge of shrubs so the view isn't as pretty as before.:()

It's that time of year... time to wake up earlier, put out clothes and backpacks the night before, make lunches, find awesome show 'n tell items, and deal with the influx of paper notices!

This year, as much as I am ready for back to school practically speaking, and by that I mean I have a freezer full of individually wrapped baking for lunches, all the inside shoes and supplies purchased, necessary haircuts given etc., I was not emotionally ready to see my kids out from under my care for the better part of their days. And with real summer weather finally arriving here, it's been a bit more difficult than normal for me to say "goodbye summer" and "hello fall!"

Fall is actually my absolute favorite season, so I'm sure I'll get there.

Sarah starting Grade Three! So grown up! She put lip "gloss" on before these photos and I didn't have the heart to tell her to take it off!

Autumn headed to Grade One! (She has the same AMAZING teacher that Sarah had in Grade 1)

This year the big girls both go to school all day! It's so strange only having two lunch plates to prepare come 12 o'clock! They are going to a new school and have loved the last two days... both girls came out of school smiling big and excited for "tomorrow". I know it helps having so many of their good friends and even a couple of teachers from their previous school.

Rylan is in the 4-year old preschool class this year and he started yesterday.

TODAY though, I dropped my baby girl off for her first day of preschool (in the 3-year old class)... and yes, that means I'm at the preschool every morning during the week, but I'm alright with that. Carly kept repeating "cited"(excited) in the van this morning and could hardly wait for me to leave her so she could start playing with the toys. I'm sure that having been going to the preschool with her siblings for the last almost 3 years has much to do with her 'no fear' attitude.

All set with her back pack and snack bag! I couldn't convince her she just needed one!
And today, it's a REALLY good thing she's that adorable... let me tell ya!