the SECOND day of school pictures (they'll have to do)

Really.

You'd be surprised at how little you're missing. They all dressed very much like they did on the first day of school. (okay... we all know who's trying to make who feel better about all this.)

Carly went Black "kinda skinny" jeans, beaded red tank over cream fitted "T" and black flats on the first day and continued her decidedly dressed up "I'm glad I'm a girl" look on day 2 with red flats, red earrings, black and white patterned smocked tank over white fitted "T" with black cardigan and cute jeans. Apparently her high school is FREEZING!

* you may be wondering what "kinda-skinny" jeans are. I just want to clarify. It's my terminology for jeans that are more fitted and a little stretchier than regular jeans. They are not skin tight. Some girls may consider her "kinda skinny's" a size or two too big but they are the skinniest jeans that will be allowed in this house.

She got a new haircut a week before school, courtesy of her new baysitting trade with Betsy . It's really cute and she loves it. A new backpack courtesy of Auntie Maury. She loves it. Thank you. She wouldn't have been caught dead with a pink backpack a couple of years ago but I reiterate, she is embracing the "I'm glad I'm a girl" perspective.

Goodbye Junior High.... Hello 10th grade, driver's training, cute boys.

(and a big Hello to a whole new set of anxieties for me!)

Our Rachel went casual both days with a green T and new jeans on day one and after being "hot all day" switched to cut-offs of last years jeans and a magenta T accented by purple flipflops and a great heart and lock necklace for day 2.

She's trying some new hairdo's. Last year she wasn't willing to try much but over the summer she's been experimenting with her "look". It's fun to see her branch out a little. I'm hoping she'll relax a little this year. 7th grade was quite stressful and found my little goddess of style, imagination & confidence lacking her usual vim and vigor.. I am hoping to see all 3 re-emerge.

Jacob is sporting pretty much the same look as day first. Only the colors are different. Long socks, Tennis shoes, shiny shorts (red) and Tshirt (blue). I though it interesting he wore his Geneva Elementary shirt on his first day at his new school. Was this a nod of nostalgia, a statement of "this is where I come from people!" or simply the T-shirt hanging first in the closet. We'll never know. He's a man of mystery.

As he left for his new school, Mason patted his shoulder and whispered "Be brave, Be strong, Be a Man!" He is brave and he is strong but he is just my boy and that's all he needs to be.

But he is ready for new friends, new ways to learn & new adventures.

5th grade here he comes!

There is something awfully funny about taking 2nd day of school pictures....

She can hardly contain herself.

Okay. That's better.

Samantha Grace wore a denim skirt yesterday and today, tennis shoes w/short white socks yesterday and today, pigtails yesterday and today, a Pink shirt yesterday and today. She must have wanted to ease my pain about missing pictures that first day. That's just how she rolls.

My little bundle of compassion and mirth is off to 3rd grade....

He wore last years jeans on day 1 and some NEW school pants today so we missed nothing important. And definitely; Cute as a button both days.

He was a little confused however. On day 1 he said "I'm going with Samantha early today but what time am I going tomorrow?" When I said he was going with Samantha early EVERY day, he seemed a little floored. I really thought I had explained it all very clearly. Apparerently the explanation was lacking some depth.

On Back To School night he was so excited to meet his teacher and see his new classroom. I worked in his teacher's class last year and she is wonderful. He zipped around his new class exclaiming "here's my desk!" "HEY! we have turtles!!!!" "Look at these books! and this chair" "This is so cool!!!" Then he noticed another boy checking out the classroom. He wasn't in his class last year but they probably saw each other at recess. They sized each other up and I don't know WHERE this came from but I looked over and they both had their hands on their hips, they were facing each other, chests thrown out, almost touching, and I hear my sweet little cuddly child say "you better watch out 'cuz I'm stronger and wilder than last year!"

speechless.

I was speechless.

His teacher and I exchanged a look and our hands flew up to our mouths to stifle giggles.

Watch out 1st grade. Here comes Mason!