Summer went by faster than usual this year it seems. One day you're unpacking and cleaning out backpacks, the next day you're filling them up again. Speaking of backpacks, Cade asked for a new one this year. That makes me sad. It wasn't because his was falling apart, or torn, or unusable. It's that it had a shark (a tiny one, thank you, nicely embroidered on by llbean) along with his initials. A monogram. Apparently that's not cool when you're ten. Whatevs... A new backpack it is. Green. Plain. Functional. I remember fifth grade well. I loved my teacher, kicked tail in tetherball everyday in recess, and was preparing myself for a big move to Tennessee. Fifth grade was the last year I'd spend with the friends I'd had my entire life. Fifth was a big one and I can't believe I'm parenting a fifth grader. Here he is:

Grant is heading into third grade this year. He's mourned moving on from another teacher that he adored and has high hopes that his third grade teacher lives up to his expectations. I am, too. Third is a big grade, too. Real, letter grades. TCAP testing. It gets real this year!
Little Buddy, not so little anymore, is moving up to the big first grade. His one hang up about school starting was that it meant that we had to start brushing his hair again. He had a last minute, albeit, forced, shirt change just before leaving because he dribbled chocolate milk all down the front of his other shirt. He told me it was "totally fine. It didn't matter. Who cares anyway?" Who cares? Me. So, against his wishes he attended the first day of first grade in a clean shirt with brushed hair.
Prissy Pants is not even going to school but she could not let the opportunity pass for showing off her new camera smile.
Here are all my loves on their first day of the 2012-2013 school year.
And, when I told them they could do whatever pose they wanted for the last shot, here's what I got:
If there's one thing that's good to do on the first day of school it's a little Tebowing. My favorite part is that Lanie joined in with no coaching. I love a good, early morning laugh! Here's to a fantastic year of learning!