Dear Suzanne,

I sure am glad we are friends. I wish we lived closer so we could meet at the park or have lunch together and catch up. Honestly, I wish I was a better friend--the kind of friend who would pick up the phone and have a good long chat to catch up. Sadly, I am not that friend. Not even my Mom or Mother-in-law get phone calls, emails, or consistent correspondence of any kind from me.

I am.

A slacker.

None the less, I am grateful for your friendship and for blogs so my lazy butt can keep up with the lives of my friends. Since you asked, here is how our first-day of school went:

The kids were dressed and ready to go about an hour before school started--I was not. I couldn't find the old camera and had to use the cell phone. Sure, I 'm thankful for that technology but I do lament the slightly crappy quality of these pictures...

Just look at the excitement on their faces. Look out world--Lorien has discovered "skinny-jeans". Wyatt is wearing the same shorts as the first-day last year...sweet. Clare is charming and confident.

Last year, when we were in the same predicament of starting at a new school Lorien and Wyatt were much more nervous. You might recall the meltdown from Wyatt at the start of the first day? This first-day went much smoother. We made it to school on time and the big kids ran off like they owned the place. They didn't seem bothered by the 600+ complete and total strangers walking around with them.

Clare's story was a little different. She was full of her usual cheer and confidence while we were taking our "back to school" photos on the front step at home. However, as we made the short drive to school Clare got quite. I held her hand as we walked on to the school grounds and could feel her shaking my hand with little nervous twitches. We found her classroom and waited for her teacher to open the door. Pictures really are worth a thousand words so check out Clare's face while we were waiting:

Now look at her face in the group shot again:

Where did all of her confidence go? This is what a few minutes and hundreds of strangers in a strange place will do to a 5 year-old. She told me the sun was making her eyes water--but the sun was at her back. I gave her a big hug and tried not to bawl all over her shoulder.

Once Clare's teacher came out things got dramatically better. Her teacher is warm and friendly. She gave each kid a hug as they introduced themselves and said, "I've been waiting to meet you!". Will asked Clare if she wanted him to walk into the classroom with her. She said (with a wave of her hand) "No, you can go!".

All was well.

Once Will, Adell and I were back at the car I had to have a little cry. It will be lonely with out all my big kids around.

We went out for breakfast (hey, do you know if it is "out TO breakfast" or "out FOR breakfast"???). Adell drank four cups of coffee-creamer and picked her nose. Maybe I will be entertained with just Adell...

So Suzanne, over all I'd say it was a pretty good first-day. We had ice cream cones while we caught up on the day after school. You cannot have a bad day when you get ice cream before lunch! I wish I could have taken my kids camping with you last weekend. It looks like it was a great trip. Hey, don't pick the foxglove--I think it is poisonous!

Lots of Love,
Cass