And life resumes...

The crazy summer of 2010 has drawn to a close. Ben started a new job this morning with an under ten minute commute rather than his hour plus commute (one way) that he had at his last job. Maddie started fifth grade, which is the final grade of elementary school in our county. Andrew started second grade. Zack's dream of riding the school bus finally came true as he started kindergarten this year. Mylie's school doesn't start until next week and she was beside herself with misery as she was left behind when the school bus pulled away with all of her siblings aboard. She insisted on wearing her backpack and carrying a pack of tissues (each of her siblings put a box in their backpack, since they were on their school supply lists). It turns out she thought if she has a backpack on and had a pack of kleenex, then they would take her on to the bus with everyone else. We told her several times before even leaving the house that she would not be going, but apparently she thought we were kidding.


Here is a shot of Mylie when we told her she was going to school today. This was before she concocted her backpack and kleenex plan...

Here is a shot of the calm before the storm when she is confident in her plan...


And here is where the flood gates opened as she realized she really wasn't going with them...


A pink dunkin' donut with sprinkles was able to coax a smile out of her again.



Then we went to the park and on a bike ride. She had a fun morning after all.




Preschool starts next week and she is so excited to be back to school with friends.

A shot of my kids' new school shoes that they are so excited about:



My kids all liked their teachers and classmates and had great first days and Ben enjoyed his first day as well.

On a side note, Andrew asked me recently if he were to open his mouth really, really wide would I be able to hear his thoughts. I told him no, but Brooke told me I should have told him yes. I have already told him that I have secret video cameras that watch him at all times, so I think I better just leave it at that.

Oh, and last week's Meet the Teacher event was a interesting...

Look how happy Zack was to be there:



I especially loved this sweet shot of Zack and his new kindergarten teacher. If you click on it to enlarge it you will notice how "happy" he was about having this picture taken. He does this face when he is really angry. Notice the strain in his neck and his eyes. He hasn't pulled this face in a picture since I went to his preschool class for the Mother's Day celebration and the kids all had their pictures taken with their moms and he refused to sit on my lap. So charming...