First Day of Third Grade

Aaaanndd... we're off!  The first day of third grade is in the bag.  As I begin to write this, I am torn between writing about how fast time has flown and if we blink she'll be in high school or about how today, the actual day, went.  Going mushy is very tempting.  I can do a good sappy and  I have a good arsenal of sentimental stuff I've been thinking today.  But mostly I've been hanging out in reality today.  The place where mush and gush is only part of the story.  And tempers and attitude are the rest of the story that brings me right back to reality.  :)  I reserve the right to not live in reality on Tuesday when Emily's starts kindergarten.  I didn't when Casey started kindergarten either. 

Casey -first day of kindergarten.  (thank goodness we have a new front door to pose in front of)

Today Casey woke up at 6:00 ish this morning and immediately brushed her teeth, got dressed, brushed her hair and made herself breakfast.  She was done by 6:45.  Yep, must be the first day of school.  I wonder how long this self motivated routine will last.  I'm betting 4 school days.  Stay tuned.  Our front porch is the location of all first day photos and today was no exception.  They all posed like good little models.

Casey - first day of third grade

 

 

There were no tears from anyone this morning when we left for school, but there was a very, very long hug from little sister.  It's not that we weren't sad to see her off, but by third grade, we're not rookies at first days of school.

Casey admitted that maybe she was a little nervous as we pulled up to school, but was totally keeping her cool.  And then she was on her way with her mixture of excitedness and nervousness and I was proud of my big girl as she went off to get her third grade on.

I returned home to my little girl who instantly became a royal pain in my rear.  Casey's absence upset the apple cart of Emily's day and I found myself saying more than once that her going to school next week might be good for both of us.  (I reserve the right to take that back Tuesday morning!)  The whining today from Emily...  I sympathize for her but,  dear lawd the whining...  I knew I couldn't immortalize Casey's first day of third grade without commenting on Emily's whining today, so like any good mom, I got out my camera to take pictures of it.  (Note: taking pictures of whining child consequently turns her into angry crying child.) 

 

Emily begging for my attention.  I have no idea why her pants were around her ankles...

Alas, Casey returned home and from what we've gathered, she had a good day.  I think parents (maybe just Tom and I) build up how excited our kids will be to come home from their first day and assume they will be ready to tell us all about their day!!  When in reality, they just want a snack, a TV and to be left alone to chill out for a bit.  And because I will never get this in my head, I will forever continue to torture them with questions trying to extract as much about their day as possible.  (Note: continuing questions after the fourth 'fine' turns her into an attitude-filled 8 year old diva.) :)

As much as I look back on this little, precious child:

Casey - age 1.  I'm getting all sappy...

And get more than a bit sappy about how big she is now, I have to admit, the hours from 3:30 to 8:30 today seemed longer than any single day this summer.  That, my friend, was part of the reality of today, the first day of third grade.  Both girls were tired and probably thrown off a bit from all the hoopla and change of routine of the day.  But as far as first days go, it was a successful one.  I'm looking forward to the school year!