First day of school- 2023!

Well today the kids went back to school and there are a few reasons why we can't believe it.  First off, its only the middle of July, secondly it feels like we are on the surface of the sun (only 118 today~ another record broken) and third, Jennings joined the ranks of the other kids headed to school.

As much as I raced around yesterday trying to get everything organized and ready, it still was a chaotic morning.  We got up extra early, had all the backpacks lined up, the lunches already made, breakfast muffins I made before the kids got up, and yet we still were racing out the door and Maddie couldn't find her shoes.  

This year also means we have 5 drop offs and 5 pick ups all at different times.  It kind of feels like a marathon... first we drop Michael and then we race to get Madelyn to school before the bell rings.  Then we get to wait 25 minutes until Isabelle can be dropped off and then I race back to the school where Maddie goes, to drop off Jennings for preschool.  Oh and somewhere in between there I will take Finn to the babysitter.  It's going to be a very busy morning and afternoon on school days.  

Today when I picked up the kids overall I heard it was a good day,  Maddie LOVES school, LOVES her teacher, has all her friends in her class and just seems like she had the perfect day.  Michael shared that he has classes with lots of seniors and may have let it slip that there are some really pretty girls in his classes.  Isabelle said her day was okay, went into details of some things she liked, a few more that she didn't really care for and at one time asked me if she had to go back.  I hope tomorrow has more good things for her than hard.  Jennings was excited when I picked him up and came plowing out of the school doors excited.  His first words to me were, "mom I listened."  I guess I might have told him once or a hundred times he had to listen to his teachers.  Thankfully he teachers supported his statement and said he had a good day.  I'm hopeful he will continue to adjust and grow in his maturity, as he does seem behind compared to others in his class.  

Perhaps the one who had the hardest day was Finn.  When Jennings left to go to school he burst into tears and cried for his brother.  Those two have had almost every day of their life together and so I'm thinking Finn is trying to figure out where his other half went.  That being said, once we got home and he realized he got to have all the toys and didn't have to share, his approach to the day started to change.

I hope that this year is a good one for all the kids, that they learn and grow, that they build self confidence and friendships that bring them happiness and support.  

So even though it might be the hottest days of the year, we will get back into our routine celebrate back to school.

Here's a few photos from today...

Some bodies were not interested in getting up at first.

This is the boy who fights us every night to go to sleep!

All ready a moment before we had to race out the door.

Maddie is starting 2nd grade, wants to be a doctor when she grows up!

Isabelle started 6th grade (Middle school) and wants to be a veterinarian when she grows up.

Jennings started preschool and wants to be a firefighter when he grows up.

Michael is a junior and .... (well didn't want to participate in my back-to-school festivities)

Finn insisted on being in the picture too!

Izzy and her friends all got their hair done the night before school so she has her hair braided and looks super pretty.

Finn is mad that he doesn't get to go to school!

Jennings is thrilled to have a new backpack that he can buckle and unbuckle

Madelyn made three signs for back to school and has so much on her sheet I can't even remember all her notes.... she loves to read, loves strawberries, has her friends in her classroom, loves rainbows.  She was made for school!

Belle has grown like crazy this summer and is super tall and lean.  I hope she has a great year, I remember how hard middle school can be for a girl.  I told her to find friends who are kind.  

Her final look as she got out of the car... "here I go mom!"

And then it was Jennings turn... He was so excited.

Here he is talking to his teacher and telling her his name.  "I'm Jennings, but also JJ"

Michael wasn't too interested in me taking too many photos. 

Gabe will be starting his final year of high school in just a few weeks when he goes to ASU Prep Online.  He will be turning 18 this fall and plans to move to be closer to his girlfriend, so online school was the best route for him. Crazy to think he will be in his final year.

Here's hoping they all  have a great year!

Until next time,

Angie