i'm speechless (or maybe i wish i could be)...

Like most kiddos, Sarah hasn't been entirely forthcoming with telling us what's happening at school. Everyday I ask and everyday she shrugs and says, "I dunno." As with Lauren, we do eventually get some tiny details that give us a glimpse of her day (it's usually a stall tactic at bedtime).

Today, I asked again and got the same response, followed by..."Why do I have to tell you what happened at my school anyway? Don't you remember what you did at your school?"

I explained, "You're gone from me all day and I miss you and I just want to know what you're doing when you're not with me."

That must have pulled at her heartstrings ever so slightly because she sighed, thought for a moment, turned to me and said ::

"If I tell you about my day at school, YOU are going to tell me how all us babies got out of your stomach."

Gulp. It was a tough deal to make, but at that point I didn't want to seem like her day wasn't worth the trade. There weren't many details provided...I mostly just clarified some misconceptions she had on the matter. In the end, I think she was somewhat satisfied with the explanation.

I'm a little concerned about how many questions she's got rolling around up there...but now I'm sure glad she only goes to school three days a week.

and she's off...

Sarah had her first official day of school today! Kindergarten is underway and so far she seems thrilled with what the next 13 years have in store for her.

Yesterday was visiting day, where we took some of these pictures. Below, she is standing by her locker. All of the school's students have lockers this year. We're relieved that this spares us from an entire year of "Why does Lauren have a locker and I don't?".

The classroom has this smart board dealio, where Sarah could drag and drop her name from the "absent" to "here" side of the list. It was pretty cool.

Here she is working on a little Pre Calc. Seemed a bit aggressive a task for visiting day, but Sarah managed just fine...

So, this morning kicked off the official start of school. Sarah was raring to go and the picture of cuteness in her self-picked-out outfit.

She, too, sported the flip flop look for footwear...

Nerves were up at the bus stop. She did not let her big sister out of sight. I guess being escorted by someone with one day of bus-riding experience, is better that going it alone...

Typically, one at a time fit up the bus steps. Sarah never left Lauren's side. It was pretty dang sweet.

So, it's just Julia and I three days a week now. Today was pretty quiet in the house...especially since Julia's been running a temp of 103 for three days! So, I do believe a doctor's visit will be in the works for tomorrow's plans. We don't do much thumb twiddling around here... We can always rip down another wall if boredom sets in, I guess. (we have walls now, by the way :-)...just drywall, but walls, nonetheless)

construction update...

I supposed I would be remiss to not give an update on our aforementioned, unscheduled remodel.

Here it is : There are still studs in my kitchen. And they are not of the nice-looking gentlemen variety. I can still see my roof from the dining room, but I can no longer see my bed from the kitchen sink. Progress is slow and somewhat steady. The good news is I have no good reason to clean the house. The bad news is precisely the same.

first day of school (summer had to end sometime)...

The dizzying blur of of a fast-moving summer came to a halt today as we woke Lauren up for her first day of third grade. This day had a few more butterflies than other first days as the girls start at a brand new school this year (new for them and new all together).

We attended the opening "ceremonies" last week...(below is the front of the school)

Here's the back of the school, where the ceremony took place. Behind me is the playground and field.

They had each family release a butterfly (inside the blue triangle)

We caught ours after it was released...
This is Sarah's classroom (not the full view...I know)

Lauren sitting at her desk...

Thankfully, visiting the school last week helped calm Lauren's nerves about the whole thing (can't say it did the same for Sarah). So, she was able to get a good night's sleep and be bright eyed and bushy tailed for today!

Despite her getting on in years, nothing changed on the pre-school breakfast menu for my little "the usual" gal. Waffles with Nutella once again!

Drum roll, please. Here is the First Day of School Outfit for Third Grade ::

She even sported a new backpack...loaded to the max. I'm surprised she didn't topple backwards with all the stuff in there!

Oh...the shoes (and a very last minute toe nail trimmin' and paint job!).

I'm so used to driving her to school and talking to her about the first day, so it was a little odd to send her away on a bus this morning! We all walked her to the bus stop (she ran).

Sarah even took her backpack (her first day is tomorrow) and poor Julia sat in her consolation prize. She's not going to school this year, so I bought a jogging stroller to run around with her. So, as she sees it, we'll run the day away until her sisters come home (I'm going to be in tip top shape apparently!).

I don't blame Lauren, but...sadly...she pulled an "I'm-too-cool-for-that" face when I asked her to pose by the school bus for a picture. So...this is all we will get of her send off to the school year...

Sarah's turn tomorrow...stay tuned...