"The School Bell Has Rung"

(School Shopping)

(Packing School Lunches)

(Father's Blessing)

(Outfits Picked Out)

(First Day of School Breakfast- German Pancakes & Bacon)

(The Kissing Hands)

(R.J.- 9th Grade)

(Madison- 8th Grade)

(Payton- 4th Grade)

(Mom's Back to School Breakfast)

(Because I Missed Them!)

 The school shopping is done, the lunches are made, outfits laid out, the "Father's Blessings" have been given- It's time for school to begin!  High School, Middle School and Elementary School, THREE schools this year!  My boy R.J. (who is now 6 2' 1/2 inches tall, mind you) is going to be a freshman, but looks like a Junior.  Madison is in 8th grade and excited to rule the school.  Payton is in 4th grade and happy to be an upper-classman!  And honestly, I am sad. Summer was not long enough.  I am not finished enjoying my kids!
  The kids happily got up this morning and enjoyed our Traditional "First Day of School Breakfast".  And I couldn't send them out the door without reading our favorite book- "The Kissing Hand".  It was the first year that I was the only one who cried.  I am glad they all still let me put hearts on their hands.  But, if you notice the picture, each heart gets smaller with age.  I promised I wouldn't embarrass the High Schooler if he allowed me just one picture with a smile when we all dropped him off.  He kindly obliged.  As he walked away, Rob forced me to put away my zoom lens and reminded me of my promise.  I would make a great stalker!  I was allowed to come on the Middle Schooler's campus, only if I kept my distance and didn't make any huge scenes.  I was good once again.  At the Elementary school I have a press-pass for being on the School's Year Book Staff.  I got to shoot away with my camera to my heart's content.  And that 4th grader still loves her mama, she poses like she is on a cat-walk!  
  After the drop-offs and tears, we moms have to celebrate console ourselves and have a "Back to School Breakfast".  It was hard keeping a stiff upper lip while eating my second breakfast of the morning.  The rest of the day was a blur.  I missed my kids so much I made them warm cookies to welcome them home!  


The feed back from the first day of school-
High Schooler- "High School is over-rated!"
Middle Schooler- "I am so glad I have Second-Lunch with all my friends."
Elementary Schooler- "Everyone LOVED my outfit!"


Crossing my fingers for good grades this year!