School Day Blues...

Last week marked the first day of 5th grade for Nate and 1st grade for Gabe.  They were both eager to start a new year because even though we packed our summer full of fun activities, I often heard, "We're bored."  Well, there you go, boys...now I'm bored :(

 

 

We adjusted to our new routine pretty well.  Adri continued to sleep in a little later, which gave me some time with the boys in the morning to chat about the new day, pack lunches, and give them their morning pep talk (maybe it's more for me).  If we don't pray together, I always pray for them each morning, and it's usually the same.  "May they enjoy what they learn today.  May they develop good friendships.  May they be a good example to at least one other student today."  They're sick of hearing it, but I'm sure they'll thank me one day...and maybe do the same with their kids :)

 

As far as Adri goes, she was LOST (I missed them a little, too)!  I can't count the number of times last week that she asked me, "When are the boys coming home?"  I encouraged her by talking about how fun it would be to have a mommy/Adri lunch date every day (no boys), and how fun it will be to just have girls in the house for a few hours everyday.  I have also continued to keep her napping...in my bed with me!  That's something that didn't happen too much this summer because we were always on the go!  Okay...there is ONE good thing about school starting :)

 

Yesterday I took Adri to meet her teacher and drop off her school supplies.  Sending her off to school didn't seem like it would be a big deal this year because she went last year.  I had a TOUGH time last year.  I think I cried everyday that I dropped her off for about 3 weeks!  But yesterday, during naptime, I saw this.  This isn't the face of just a 4 year old...BUT MY BABY GIRL!  And suddenly, I began thinking about how she wouldn't be the baby anymore and then she seemed SO GIGANTIC!   

 

As tired as I was and even though I promised that we'd nap together, I couldn't sleep.  After about 15 minutes of staring at her, I came out to the kitchen to get dinner prepped.  Then I saw this.  Before her nap, she put out the paint set, water bowl and paper because she was going to paint when she got up.  Now that girl...just a little planner...like her Mama!  And sure enough, the second she woke up, she was at the counter with her paintbrush in hand.  I hope she shows this kind of organization when she's not at home...makes a mama proud :)

 

So, today was her big day!  Eager to start her "4 year old school," and as if it couldn't have been planned any better, I sent her off to the same teacher that I sent Nate to, 6 years ago!  Dear Mrs. Lechlitner, may the Martin's not send you to retirement! 

 



And as I sit here with my zucchini, avocado and egg scramble and cup of coffee, this is what I look down to...my sweet Keely girl.  She's been there with me through every celebration, milestone and trial for the past 13 years and she's let me love on her while I rejoiced and while I cried...more times than I can count.  And here she sits today, missing a few members of her family :(  She knows the house is quiet and while I thought she'd enjoy the peace and quiet, I can see her sadness.  I know, Keely...it's too quiet.  But you just wait!  It's about to get really loud again around 3:30 and then even louder again in a few weeks :)