The most wonderful time of the year!

I will preface this post by saying our family enjoyed a really fun, adventurous summer this year. The kids and I did so much with friends, family and even on our own. But then mid-August arrived and we were all going bananas! The kids desperately needed the routine and structure that school offers...and Mama needed a sanity break.

Then September 7th arrived and our house was, seemingly overnight, a different place. It was Ian's first day of Pre-K and he was so excited he couldn't contain himself. He'd picked out his new Spiderman shirt, jeans and brown boots for the first day of school and he looked quite handsome of course. And we surprised him this morning with an early birthday present - a new Lego City Firefighter backpack.

The four cousins together outside the school.

I made the kids their favorite blueberry muffins and our house was so calm all morning it was eerie. The kids cooperated so well, ate their breakfast while I showered, played nicely together, got dressed and ready well before it was time to go, etc. It was awesome! Ian was completely dressed and ready to walk out the door by 8am...wearing his backpack, of course.

It was nice to have our 'before school prayer time' at our favorite stop light this morning. They had remembered from last May and little Anna's hands were folded before we even got to the light. A few of the things we prayed for was that Ian would have a fun first day, learn something new, be a blessing to his friends because some of them may be apprehensive about a new class/school, obey his teachers, and make at least one new friend.

Ian was excited for school but became apprehensive when he got near his classroom and saw lots of other kids. Once his teachers invited him into the classroom and began showing him where to put his backpack, how to put his name up on the chart, etc. he was his usual happy self again. He recognized a few old friends and I was pleased to see several new faces, too. And as we left the school Anna kept saying, "My class. My class." She was sad she wasn't going to school today but she'll get her chance tomorrow.

Anna bounces at the park.

So while Ian was at school, Anna and I met cousin Braden and Aunt Laura at the park for some outdoor time. They had a blast together. Then she and I ran a few errands and picked up Chick-Fil-A before getting Ian from school. When he got in the car he was so happy and excited about his day. And 'special lunch' made him smile even more. He thanked Anna for getting him lunch - too cute!

He talked a mile a minute the entire way home and showed us his 'book' he had made in class. He told us he had a great day and loved school. And I was so touched to hear him talk about playing with old and new friends; especially a little girl named Evan who Ian said was shy. He said he played with her and tried to help her not be shy. I complimented him on being a blessing to his friends and how awesome it was that he helped Evan enjoy her first day of school. He is a typical little boy sometimes but he sure makes us proud, too!