TODAY WAS THE START OF SCHOOL IN OUR COUNTY. Summer is officially over in our household. We had some anxious and excited kids last night. Their bodies were on the more relaxed summer sleep schedule. Everyone woke up in a good mood this morning and seemed ready to go. I had prepared all I could ahead of time last night — laying out waffle ingredients, plates, silverware, coffee on timer, etc. – and it helped tremendously. {I know, most of you organized people have been doing this for years. It finally made sense to me last night.} My dear husband was able to come downstairs and kick the waffles into gear before I could even finish drying my hair. Don’t you love a man who cooks?

And the waffles were good according to Grace and William. Until I started editing these photos I didn’t notice William’s bite size in the background. I think the poor boy might be destined for charm school soon. (Dogwood Cotillion here we come…at least that is what we threaten around here. Remind me to tell you the family joke sometime.} It was worth a good laugh and a cringe after they left for school. He’s a great boy and truly endearing, but I’m trying to do my future daughter-in-law a favor by training him well.

The bus stop pictures were pretty cute. Everyone looks so fresh and neat. Bus stops are a good gathering place inside a neighborhood. Until my kids went to school I never realized how much information happens there. We use the smaller bus stop at the front of the neighborhood. Miracle of all miracles, we were the first ones there this morning. That made William very happy because he is all about being first in line.

And this young lady is headed to high school this year. Big changes and great things ahead. She’s more than ready for high school life. I’m just not sure I am.

And as we watched the bus drive away on it’s long trek to school…a mile and no more…I thought about a first day of school in 2008 when Jordan had begun middle school. Grace had just begun Pre-K and William was in first grade. They look oh so much younger in those photos and I am so happy to have this old post from that time period to remember all the details that fade.

I didn’t cry when I put them on the bus this morning. I did cry when I realized how quickly those old cliches hold true. Time really does fly. These moments are precious. I will treasure them. Now I need you to remind me again in a few weeks when they are fighting over something silly.

Enjoy your back-to-school fun and share some links with me if you post pictures. I’m sappy for all those cute kids.