Gracie's First Day of School

Last night was a total and complete opposite of what I thought it would be. Starting around 5 last pretty much everything set Gracie off; except for going for a ride on the neighbors go cart. That was pretty much the only thing she didn't scream, kick, or hit about last night.
When she was told that she needed to go inside, eat dinner and then we would be doing her fathers blessing before bed, she started yelling that she only wants a mothers blessing. She wasn't accepting the fact that it isn't something moms can do. I had to promise her that I would say a prayer with her but that's all I could do.
She reluctantly let her dad give her a blessing, with me holding her hand of course. It was a beautiful blessing and I feel lucky to have a husband willing and able to give my kids a blessing whenever needed.
When it finally came time for bed, Gracie told me that during the blessing she could feel the Holy Ghost. She said he was pulling her skin from inside! I'm not exactly sure what or how you felt baby girl, but the spirit was strong!

This morning her alarm went off after everyone else was already awake. She walked down the hall barely awake and mumbled "my alarm is going off for the first day of schoo.......MY ALARMS GOING OFF FOR THE FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL". It took her a minute to realize, but once she did, she was ecstatic. I could barely keep her from bouncing around the house long enough to do her hair or eat breakfast. Come to think of it....I don't think she even took a bite of her food. She was too excited.

Pictures were taken, we sent William off to the bus stop alone for the very first time, and we were off to school. Once we got there, she ran right over and found the cubby with her name on it, threw her backpack in and went skipping off with her teacher (same one from last year which really helps!) and never looked back. No kiss, no hug, no tears. It was a bitter sweet moment. Then I got in the car, drove home, and sat on the couch for 3 hours!!!!!!!!!!!! I need to be productive while she's at school....but that definitely wasn't happening today!

Will's First Day of 1st Grade

Well this may be a bit of picture overload...but I just can't decide which ones are my favorite!!

I honestly can't believe that he is almost 6 and already in 1st grade. Today snuck up on me, and not just in the sentimental sense. I didn't realize that today was the first day of school until last week when we ripped off the July calendar and there it was on the calendar. I had less than a week and a half's warning and so many things I still wanted to do with my kids before vacation ended. Well.....we didn't do any of them! We spent every day just like the others. Running around for hours in the dirt and heat, a few hours here and there at the pool, fighting with friends and pouting about bed time. That was pretty much our time before today hit.....and then just like that, we are back into a routine, he's gone for 7 hours a day and I keep eyeing the door waiting for him to come bursting in thru the front door and give me a hug before running back out to play.
I miss the little guy...a lot. I know I need to let him grow up...but it's hard.