Walking to School

We live close enough to Kate's Elementary School that we can walk to and from school.  This has quickly become one of my favorite parts of the day.  I love the simplicity of it.  I love the peace and quiet in the morning despite the hustle and bustle of getting to school and work.  Somehow while we are walking there's a stillness around.  I love the adventures that Maya and I have after we drop Kate off and that the three of us have on the way home from school.  One time we saved a butterfly and one time we found a retaining wall to walk on.  Several times we've chased squirrels and had picnics and stopped at the library.  On hot days we've been loading everyone up in the stroller and running if we're in the sunshine and walking if we're in the shade.  And even though the boys on York who had a lemonade stand a week or so ago are definitely in school, we still look to see if maybe, just maybe, they have their lemonade stand set up.

I love that Kate is so excited about school and I love that Maya can relax in the stroller, if she wants, with her blanket and just take it all in.

I also love that once Kate is in school, Maya and I don't typically have a strict agenda.  We can take as little or as much time as we want to get home.  And we can wear what we want and be who we want.  Day in and day out.

Amen to these amazing days where imaginations still run wild and my kids are still free to just be.

On the way to school in the morning, Maya dressed
as Anna.

On the way to school to pick up, Maya dressed
as Ariel, but when I asked her to smile she turned
her head the opposite way...

And when at first I thought she was looking at
something else, when I went around to her side
she turned her whole body and smiled.
She wins.  Every time.

You know, just walking to school in dress up clothes and heels.

After the retaining wall, which I thought was fun, Maya just sat
in the middle of the sidewalk.  (She is still 3, mind you.)

She was clearly frustrated about something but I have yet to figure
out what it was...

Kindergarten

Somehow, when I thought of this day, it seemed so far away.  But then it was the summer before Kate started Kindergarten, and then that summer FLEW by, and here we are...on the very first day that my very first baby starts Kindergarten. 

I thought I would be sad, but Kate was so ready.  She was so excited and could not wait to start school, and her excitement bled onto me.  I was just so excited for her too.

It surprised me on the walk up to the building where it dawned on Maya the reality of what "going to school" actually meant because she, out of no where said, "I never see Sissy again".  My sweet, sweet baby.  I explained that she would just be in school for three hours and then she was all ours again.  That sweet love of theirs will never be broken.  I LOVE sisters.

Once she was actually in the building and I was walking back home with Maya I felt my eyes swell with tears.  But I reminded myself of how happy Kate is and how excited she was for this first day and they were soon gone.

I have no doubt that Kate's school path is going to be filled with positive accolade after positive accolade.  She is a brilliant star and she shines so bright in all that she does.

First official day of Kinder!

Sisters!

Backpack of the year + all the cool lovie keychains...

I absolutely love this photo.

The Lions.  I'm sure this particular lion is going to be in many
future first day photos!

My with my baby going to Kindergarten and my
other baby on my arm.  

+ Daddy.

Kate and her Kindergarten teacher, Mrs. Savage.  We've heard
all great things about her and are super excited to be in her class!

The front of school that Maya and I walk past every day!

Looking towards the Kindergarten playground.

The double doors Mrs. William's class and Mrs. Savage's classes
are released from.

We topped Kate's first day off with a picnic at the park, which
I'm sure will become quite the tradition with the last bit of
summer days we have left!

Maya starts preschool just after Labor Day and still says she doesn't want to go... This one is going to be a bit more challenging for me...