first day!

It's that time of year again!  Local school is starting.  Many mixed emotions for me - and the kiddos!  I love so many things about local school but it's a big commitment that is not easy to navigate and adds to my stress level.  Argh.

Sunday morning (August 30th) was registration and orientation.  The big three headed off with big smiles and empty backpacks.

Isaac's smile was starting to fade as the big moment approached.  There is nothing easy about starting first grade and the school system here is decidedly lacking in the warm fuzzy department.

But he did so well!  He's assigned to the same classroom that Julianna used as both a first and second grader!

So Matt dropped him off and the girls found their new classrooms (north building, fifth floor!) and we picked them up again at lunch.  Orientation day success :) [And the girls got 14 books each, with more to come!  Ack!  The academic load here is incredible!]

Then today, Tuesday September 1, was the big first day!  So proud of these three!

Sweet big sisters escorted Isaac to his classroom door and then turned to head off to their classrooms. [The grounds look empty .... my kids only attend in the afternoons so most everyone is in their classroom when they walk onto the school grounds.]

And here he is at pickup!  The big first grader!  I love his huge grin!  He had a great day and is ready to head back tomorrow!

It's been a crazy few days here though, after a tough end to last week and then Sunday registration, then the start of our school week.  I'm realizing I need to compensate for these challenges and relax some of my home school expectations but I pretty much totally failed in that area these past few days.

good thing tomorrow is a new day.  second day of school!

[i got some really great first day pictures that I'll post soon!]