The First Day

I have been dreading this day. I am usually so excited for school to begin, but this year is a bit different. Maddy will be attending middle school. Not safe, little elementary school, but big, scary middle school. I have a some anxiety about the whole situation. Maddy does not. She is ready. Locker combination is memorized, lunch picked out, friends to walk with, a pay as you go cell phone... I AM NOT READY. I will tell you why. Maddy does not look like a 6th grader. 8th grade boys had better stay away... Maddy is my first baby and I should not be old enough to have a middle schooler.

For every special occasion, we always take a picture under our front yard tree. The tree has grown, but so have my children. Maddy had to stoop to fit under it.

I really love that I did not embarrass my daughter by parking my car and in the middle of the road, jumping out to take this picture and yelling, "I love you!!" while tears ran down my face.

Now, on the other hand, I am very excited for Katie. She is going into 4th grade. This is a big deal. She no longer has big sister around to make all the decisions and she has already shown that she is ready to shine by herself. Katie has always amazed me with unflinching confidence in herself. She knows who she is and want she wants, now she gets to go for it all on her own. I can't wait to see what this year holds for her.

AND, she actually accommodated my picture taking. (She was looking cute and knew it)

She still looks so tiny on that bus.

I never knew how saying a short goodbye could break a Mother's heart.

I love you babies. (YES, babies.) Have fun, do your best, be yourself and always come home.
"I LOVE YOU!"