I totally remember second grade.

Don't you? I remember my teacher. I remember kids from my class, the playground, getting time out on the wall for cutting in line for foursquare. I remember writing in my journal and having a slumber party. And strangely? It doesn't seem like all that long ago. (it was!) It certainly doesn't seem far enough away for me to be sending my biggest boy off to second grade, but that's what we did last week. (sigh.)

And, for the first time to public school, no less. Talk about anxiety! There were some tears, and some nervousness, and a little bit of insomnia the night before. Then Shawn told me to get a hold of myself, so I did. Thankfully, Jackson slept like a baby and was up, dressed, teeth brushed and thrilled to go in the morning! I got to walk him in and even take a picture or two (SUCH an embarrassing mother, I know. could you just die?)



After dropping him off, we met up with Aidan's best buddy Luke at Starbucks for a "coffee date". Two middle children who didn't start school for a few more days - needless to say, they were thrilled to be there without any of the "bigs" to boss them around. They were so great. They sat at their own table, chatting about superheros and Star Wars and giggling about secret things. After his buddy left, Aidan and Chloe and I hung around for a bit, finishing coffee and playing "chess," which basically means Aidan sets up all the pieces (in the correct order, of course) and then uses his guys to knock my guys down. :)

of course, Chloe had to get her bitty hands on a few pieces as well...but what cute bitty hands they are!

We picked up Jackson to big smiles, stories about fish tanks and cool playgrounds and OH MY GOSH you should see the hot lunch! and headed to our favorite celebration spot - Serendipity Ice Cream - to meet up with Mimi and share all the details about the day. It was a great day, and I am so amazed and inspired by my brave little seven-year-old. He walked into a new school, a new class where he knew NOBODY and didn't have a whiff of fear. Total confidence, waiting to see what great things were in store for him. Don't you wish we could all be like that? I think he earned the Maui Wowie....

chloe found the cupcake display to be overwhelming...couldn't stay away!

chloe needed new school shoes too, dontcha think?

Finally, I'm going to post shortcuts to my last few updates. I'm backdating, because for my own records, I like to have things in order. Shocking, isn't it? So, in case you can't scroll ALL THE WAY down, like maybe your scrolling finger is sprained or something, here are the shortcuts!

sweet. (august 28. Amy, this one's for you.)
girls can too. (august 26. heather, for you!)
i wanna send flowers. (august 23.)