whobody is (and has been) back to school?

The kids started their school year on August 20th…

which was quite a while ago…

but in an effort to include everything in this {family yearbook} I plan to make out of this blog…

here it is.

So, first: the back to school night!  I love that our school does this. The night before the first day of school, families go and visit the classrooms and get all of the supplies settled in.  The kids get a view of where they are headed the next day (and they aren't trying to shove 2 full kleenex boxes in their backpacks with all of their school supplies).  As a tender hearted, overprotective, always worrying mom…I LOVE this.  It is a wonderful ice breaker, and makes the kids first day of school not seem so scary. They are no longer walking into unknown territory. It eases their minds (along with mine).

First…Lola unpacking her things into her desk in her *2nd* grade classroom (unbelievable).  Hmmm… her desk is in the back of the room, her teacher must think she is going to behave.  Lola is very lucky…her classroom has a direct and excellent view of the Mississippi River…and everything locking through.  So cool.  Lola has Mrs. Reichard this year. Keaton had the same teacher…and we are so lucky to have her.  She is so full of love for her students, so far Lola is loving second grade.

Here is "Keato" (unfortunately that is his nickname at school) at his desk in *4th* grade. How did my kid get to be in 4th grade? Augh. It is unbelievable that he is already in the grade that I used to teach.  The 4th graders are the oldest in the elementary…and next year is {gulp} middle school. He is in Mr. Sweers' class, and is very excited to have a male teacher…even if Mr. Sweers is a Vikings fan. 

I am sure that he and Keaton will go back and forth over football plenty.  So far Keaton is loving 4th grade.

Nash also got to go to back to school night (although preschool didn't start for a couple of weeks).  He got to see his room, meet his teacher, and see his locker.  More about Nash's school later!

After the school thing, we got Greaser's (of course) and played at the park for our last official night of the summer.  

The kids had a blast pushing Dirx in the swing (and he enjoyed it too).

This is my attempt at a picture of all 5 together…

Cruz is upset because HE wants to sit in the baby swing.

Too cute. (Poor kid.)

Now…for the first day of school.  

The weather was beautiful and the kids were SO excited to go!

I can't believe how OLD my kids are getting! 

I don't particularly care for sending the kids back to school…until they go.  

I dread it and dread it and I get sad about it…and then the first week of school comes and goes and I realize how nice it is to have a change in routine (or, really a routine at all).  We are really enjoying the school year. It has been great for Nash and Cruz to be able to play together all morning (without trying to keep up with Keaton and Lola).  There has been a lot more pretend play and little kid stuff…which makes me happy.

And, of course, Keaton and Lola LOVE being a part of the social scene again!