First day of School

Summer is over.

Boo.

I'm pretty sure my kids didn't sleep at all last night! (Well the older ones anyway!) Leighton slept like a champ. We've have all been anxiously awaiting school to start this year. Last night we took the kids to their teacher "Meet and Greet" which was more like a "Dump and Run!" There was so many people there you basically went into the classrooms- dropped off your supplies then left before you had a anxiety attack! It was chaos.  Carmen's teacher was so busy I basically pointed her out and then we left! I was a little lot disappointed with the whole thing. So we took the kids to dinner after and talked about all the exciting things to come. They were both all smiles and so excited. 

Later that night Randall was able to give each kid a Priesthood blessing before they went to bed. I'm sure they don't understand the comfort this brings, but for me it was much needed. I felt pretty overwhelmed when I went to bed last night- maybe overwhelmed isn't the right word- blessed. 

I went into Carmen's room first thing this morning and she was wide awake waiting for me! Her little eyes were peeking out from under her covers, she jumped up, grabbed a shirt and started getting dressed! I had to slow her down and make her take a shower first! Mack took a few more seconds getting out of bed but was just as excited as soon as he realized what was going on. I made them breakfast and they were all ready to go about 30 minutes before the bus was set to be here! So after a little window watching I started taking pictures then we walked to the corner to wait for the bus. 

And when did he get so old? He is a second grader?!! and growing like a weed! (All the pants I bought him for school are almost to short already!) 

 They both knew exactly what they were going to wear and actually ended up putting jackets on after I took these pictures- it was so cold! Lovely. It already feels like fall! 

 As soon as other kids started to meet at the corner Carmen took off running- it was finally her turn!

 Mack stayed back with me and started to complain about being cold- he is so moody lately! This kid needed school to start, he is so bored he drives me nuts! But I will miss him helping me out so much. 

 I look so good- oh dear!! Hello morning face!! So here I am giving them loves before it was time to go- I do look like I'm about to loose it, however, the wind was just super awesome and it made my eyes water. (Lets just pretend that is real!) 

 I'm especially thankful for the great neighbor kids and families we have here, they are all so supportive of each other and always looking out for one another. It was fun to hear them cheer for Carmen and get excited for each new kindergartener as they came to the bus stop.  I think that really helped with the nerves Carmen was feeling. 

 That and her sweet Brother was right next to her the whole time- he even walked her to class when they got to the school. I'm so thankful they have each other, he takes great care of her. 

(Will, Easton, Ben, Keisha, Mikayla, Mack, Carmen, Jonas, Liberty, Jazlyn, Morgan, Avery)

 Then the bus pulled up... 

and that was that. 

Dang wind- made my eyes water like a faucet! (I was a hot mess.) 

It's not the idea of them going to school that makes me sad, it's just the fact that once they start- they grow up so fast. They learn from kids around them and have to deal with things that I would rather them not know! It's sad to think that once they start Kindergarten they are pretty much in school forever- everything changes.  They become independent. It's hard as a mom to watch them grow up and feel like they no longer need you as their number one caregiver- it's a hard reality. Im sure this is something I will always get emotional about. 

They both came home and said they loved their teachers and had a great day. Carmen said "Mom, it was like a party! We sang and it was so fun!" I think she will love this school thing!

Mack was excited to be back into Spanish and said his teacher was "so nice!"

It was a pretty good morning,  although we did have a minor bus-detour situation when they were bringing the kindergarteners home, they only arrived 2 HOURS late! The moms in this hood were all sorts of worked up and I was a big ball of stress!! We called transpiration a few times and basically kids just kept getting off at the wrong stops- or not getting off at all! We all crammed in this little car to stay out of the cold crazy wind and waited. They finally arrived and Carmen was a little traumatized! She said she started to cry on the bus because she thought the bus driver was lost! But she made it and we will pray really hard that tomorrow goes better! (At least in the bus department!) 

But for the few hours that Leighton and I did have alone this morning we were able to get a workout in, shower, and play outside for a minute! Leighton just follows me around everywhere and kept asking where Mack and Carmen were! She was a little lost without them- Im hoping that she will get used to it soon. 

Anyway, First day of School 2014: check