First Day of School 2012!

School is back in session!  (And just in the nick of time...mom was completely worn out from the summer!)  Emily is now a second grader and Christian started Kindergarten!!!

 Both were pretty excited and picked out their very own clothes for the big day.  Of course, we had to do the customary "first day" pictures...

 Looking so grown up--and with a "messenger bag"-style back pack that she wanted.

 And check out this big boy!  Two days before school started his old shoes became very small.  Turns out, his feet had grown TWO sizes.  His feet are now bigger than Emily's.

 "Woo-hoo!!!"  Not kidding, this is what Kari was saying during this picture.  (I had asked her what she thought of the big kids going to school--ha!)  Honestly, she misses them and is pretty excited at the end of the day when they get home.  But...on the flip-side, she is LOVING the extra Mommy-time and she screeches a whole lot less through out the day with no older siblings to tease her!

 Here is a half of our little neighborhood gang; all ready to walk up!

 Christian, walking into his first day of kindergarten!  (Sniff, sniff!)  Cubby took the day off and had walked them up.  True to form, as soon as they were out of sight, I burst into tears.  I just can't believe that the first little chapter of his life is over and the next is already beginning.

 The first day was a 1/2 day and so the kids got out before lunchtime.  We went over to our neighbor's home for a picnic and all of the kids got to spend the afternoon playing.

Here is the gang!  (Kinda' reminds me of the Sandlot!) 

Both Emily and Christian reported back that they had a great first day and really like their teachers.  And, now that I'm writing this post at the end of the second week, I can report that both are still bringing back good news!  Christian has randomly said things like, "Today was really good!" and "This day went by really fast!"  Both are completely exhausted by the end of the day/week so I guess they're getting their energy out! 

Also, both are already bringing home the good reports and being recognized for their good behavior.  We're so proud!  Funny enough though, Cubby and I told the kids that we were going to set up a good-behavior system like they have at school.  Exasperated, Christian shouts out, "No!  I'm already good all day long at school!  I don't want to be good at home too!"

Hmmm.....

So happy school is back IN!