First Days of School

 Last Wednesday, Gavin had his first day at his new preschool.  He transitioned to a school closer to our home and I am very, very happy to report that he loves and enjoys his new school.

Because he started 1/2 days the week before "real" school started, the big brothers got to walk him into class and see where he would be.  Owen was so tender with him -- talking to him about his "big boy school" as they walked down the hallway.  Owen helped him get his backpack in his cubby and get his day started, while Liam looked on.  Cue the waterworks for momma.

 Then, yesterday, Owen and Liam started first grade and Kindergarten.  They met their teachers last week and decided together that it would be more fun to ride the bus to school on the first day than to have momma trailing behind them with a camera.  LOL  So, my first day pictures of them are getting on the bus.  It blows my mind that these two, who can be so nervous about some things, can be so extremely brave about other things.

I am not a morning person.  This summer, the boys were often up before I was.  Sunday night at dinner, Liam suggested that I go on and make their lunches in case I wasn't awake yet when the bus arrived.  That way he and Owen could grab their lunches and head on to school.  LOL  I assured him that I would not be missing his first morning of school.  Or any of them for that matter.  So funny, though.

He must have been so worried about being late that he couldn't sleep well.  I had gotten the boys alarm clocks as a "back to school" gift.  Liam practiced with his Sunday morning.  Sunday evening, we set it to an earlier time for the school day.  So, Monday morning, he woke on his own before the alarm went off, grabbed his clock, and came to our room to sleep until it went off.  He did not want to miss the bus.

 This guy is so excited to be starting school!  Look at that sweet kinder smile.

 Daddy Q stayed home Monday morning to watch the boys get on the bus.  This picture captures how they felt about the day -- Owen a little nervous and Liam a lot excited.

 I got a pic with my two little Leopards.

 As the bus started coming down the road, Liam surprised me by turning and running to me for a super big hug.  He did the same thing this morning.  I think this will be my favorite part of them riding the bus vs. the car pool line.  I get to hug them before they go, whereas in car pool they just open the car door and are on their way...

 Oh, the excitement!!

 And, just like that, the big yellow bus swallowed my small boys and took them to their first day of school.

Both boys had successful days.  Owen and our neighbor, Audrey, walked Liam to the Kindergarten pod and then went on to their class.  Owen loved, loved, loved his class and his teacher.  His favorite part of first grade is having a locker.  Liam was so excited about the whole experience; but, said his favorite part of the day was PE.  He thought the day was pretty long and he missed his momma, which made him cry a couple of times.  But, he was very excited about going back.  So, I consider that a success.

Here's to a fun, exciting, and busy 2014-15 school year!!!