First Day of Preschool

I just dropped off Lil Miss off on her second day of preschool.  

She has got this thing handled.  

It was our first Monday of getting all 4 ready for school and out the door.  

I would give us a B+  

We didn't forget anything so that's a plus, but we ran up stairs about a dozen times shouting "Oh, my glasses", "I need socks", "I forgot to brush my teeth", "Mom, what's that smell in the bathroom?" 

Luckily the "smell" was only one of the girls putting on WAY to much perfume, but this is how the second full week of school looks.   Messy.  

I wanted to share some of Lil Miss' First Day of Preschool pics from Friday. 

She was overjoyed to finally be able to put on her Doc McStuffins backpack and walk out the door with her brother and sisters.  The smile on her face was from ear to ear and never went away, even when the heavens opened up and there was a torrential downpour at the same time as drop off.  

Because of the onslaught of ran, I didn't get any pictures of her in front of school/church but I did take some at home before the rain came.  

 An apple for the teacher. 

 This picture is blurry because Lil Miss literally hopped out of the van and skipped into school.  

No turning back and waving, no last "mommy don't leave", this girl was ready for preschool. 

The rain coming down helped to hide the tears that were falling down my cheeks because my little girl had grown up.  

I was much more calm and collected when she came out to the van after school.

(after breakfast with hubby and some retail therapy)  

She had so much to say. 

She talked about her friends, the snack, the dress up clothes she played with, 

the books the teacher read, she was so excited to tell me about her first day. 

I know each day it will be hard to let her go.  

It's still hard everyday as I watch the big kids walk into school, but 

they are healthy and happy and no matter how much I try, I can't stop time. 

So here's to learning our ABC's, meeting new friends, and enjoying preschool to the fullest!

It's going to be a BIG year. 

One week in....

We are a week into the 2014 - 2015 school year.   

The big kids are in a routine and mornings are going very smoothly... so far. 

Lil Miss misses her brothers and sisters everyday while they are away.  

After we drop them off at school, she says to me "its only us mom."  

I know baby girl.  I know. 

We spent last week getting ready for camping.  

We hadn't camped since June so I had to get a lot of things around and 

dust alot of things off after not being used for over a month. 

The weather couldn't be more perfect for an August camping trip. 

The puppies were excited to camp too. 

The two older girls got to bring friends along. 

With 6 kids, 2 dogs, and 2 adults in the camper we had a great time. 

I am so glad I stocked up on glow sticks.  They come in handy 

at the campground after dark.  Seeing all the glowing neon rings running around on the playground 

makes it easy to see which ones belong to me!  

On Saturday night we had excitement.  

Gigi lost her first tooth!  

She had been pulling at this one "loose"tooth for months wanting it 

to fall out and for the tooth fairy to come.  Mommy was not prepared.  

She was all smiles as she walked up to me in the camper and told me that it came out at 10 pm at night!

Tooth Fairy made her first appearance in the camper. 

And if that wasn't enough excitement.  

Lil Miss met her teacher and starts preschool this week. 

Since the big kids have started school she has been counting down the days til she goes to school.  

Well the time has come.  

Friday she has her first official day without me.  

She loves her classroom, her teacher, and is not shy to raise her hand (or just shout out) 

answers.   I have no doubt she will be running the classroom in a week. 

The house is getting empty though.  

I can actually hear myself think. 

Not sure what I am going to do with all this time to myself, but I have started lists. 

Another School Year

 It's that time of year already. 

Shoes that still smell new, clothes that have never been worn, 

backpacks without a bunch of papers crumbled in the bottom, and smiles, 

it's the first day of school! 

The kid's were excited to see their friends and meet their teachers yesterday.  

Rosie started 4th Grade. 

It is amazing to see her grow. From my little toddler who was ready to start preschool when she walked into our lives.  What a transformation! 

 {January 2010}

 {August 2014}

This boy is just as handsome as can be. 

Yesterday he started third grade! 

He has gotten taller and smarter since his first day of preschool. 

{August 2010- first day of preschool}

{August 2014}

He still looks great in blue.

I thought I was doing great in remembering the million things the kids needed to be ready for school 

AND then I sent this photo to Nate after I got the kids off to school. 

His first reaction.... where is Bubba's glasses.  Oops.    

Then little Miss Sunshine is starting 2nd Grade. 

Yikes.  when did she grow into such a little lady. 

Still my little baby, she was the only one reluctant to start the first day. 

I made the mistake of telling her if she doesn't get upstairs to get her hair done she would have 

to stay at home.  Her reply, "Okay."  Backfire.

{August 2014}

{August 2010 - first day of preschool}

 My oldest and youngest

 Of course, Lil Miss did not want to be left out.  

She will be starting preschool next Wednesday.  

Then I will be really sad. 

They are growing up way to fast. 

My children have such good hearts too. 

Before we got in the van to go to school, my son shouted "Wait, mom you 

didn't get in any of the pictures!"

So here is my First day of School pick with Bubba.  

Let's not talk about how much I've changed over the years.  ;-)

 Of course we had teacher gifts to bring the teachers for the first day. 

Rosie helped me this year and had fun browsing pinterest for the perfect gift.  

She has a male teacher this year and it could not be anything girly!

 We made it to school in plenty of time for the flag ceremony.  

The kids were so excited to see their friends, even luckier when their best friends are in their class! 

 And then they were whisked off to their classes and I was left holding Lil Miss' hand thinking

"Now what do we do?"

I should be dancing a jig, but in reality I was feeling sad.  

The house was so quiet. 

They are one year older and more independent. 

As each school year goes by, it seems to me that I am less needed. 

They are able to dress themselves, take showers by themselves, 

get breakfast by themselves, and need their mommy less. 

So there is a sadness that my identity as "mommy" is slipping away. 

Yes, they will still need me but it will be in a different way.  

Not to kiss boo boos. 

Not to lick my finger and wipe the jelly off their faces. 

Not to tie their shoes. 

My job will be to guide them in who they grow up to be, but 

I will miss the jelly stained faces. 

 So we dropped the three oldest off at school and there was just us two. 

Someone gets their awesomeness from their Aunt... this guy

No biasness (yes I made up a word) involved this guy is the cutest 10 month old ever! 

From birth, he has been the happiest, smiley-est, and calmest baby I have ever known. 

 So of course, when we watched the boys last week I snapped a few more pictures of him. 

Who wouldn't with that smile?

 This guy is a moving and a shaking. 

You take your eyes off of him for one second and he is off. 

 But when he has something to keep his attention, like 2 brothers and 4 cousins running around, 

he just stops and watches. 

I am sure the next time I make it home he will be taking steps.  

Where does the time go? 

I love getting these shots though to capture these moments in time. 

It is why I love photography! 

3 Month Old - Briggs

Okay, there is a reason I am not a professional baby photographer. 

Maybe more than one reason. 

(I did not get that "own your own business" gene from my dad)

But babies, especially 4 month olds, are hard to get to cooperate. 

Of course, I got some beautiful pictures of this adorable little guy, but 

we worked for it. 

{ The cutest little personalized elephant} 

 I love shooting pics of this family because they are gorgeous.

 And this mom and dad love their baby boy.

I know I've said it before, but this guy looks so much like his daddy. 

I can't believe how much he has grown from the first time I saw him. 

Time flies and that is never more evident than when seeing a baby grow up before your eyes. 

Baby Briggs Pictures here.