Everyone's 1st day!

When I was a kid, I used to love the crisp smell in the air that signalled the end of summer. The smell that meant backpacks, sharpened pencils, new stiff jeans and cuddly sweaters. That smell that is unfortunately absent when my kids go back to school in the middle of AUGUST! Instead of jeans and sweaters, my kids are in tees and shorts, braving the triple digits to walk home in the heat of the afternoon. Ugh!

I also used to love posing for my mom's camera on our sidewalk as I walked out the door that first day of school to catch the bus. My kids, well they tolerate (just barely) their mom's camera before walking out the door...

My Timothy, still smiling in 2nd grade...let's hope the smile lasts!

Gabe is a big 5th grader now, and gets up extra early to be part of the safety patrol in the morning.

Brennen is too cool for smiling as he gets ready for his first day of middle school.

This is Lizzy avoiding the camera as she enters preschool for the very first time!