First day of school

And away we go!

At dinner tonight, when I asked the boys specifically how the bus ride was, Jack said it was “sucky.” Because he had very much been looking forward to sitting with Landon and walking into school together, but the bus driver said kindergarteners — and only kindergarteners — had to sit in the front of the bus.

Jack was genuinely disappointed ... and we were extremely proud.

Back-to-School Night

We've been gearing up for this for quite a while: the only year that Jack and Landon will go to school in the same building.

Compare this to Jack's first photo with the school sign.

And Landon's turn.

Inside, he sat right down and got to work. Later, when I asked Landon what his favorite part of Back-to-School Night was, he said, "The beginning — getting to meet my teacher."

Meanwhile, Jack stopped by to see his former teacher, from last year.

Kindergarten, here we come!

Landon’s first day of pre-K

Landon’s pre-K open house

Jackson’s first day of fourth grade

Last night when putting Jack to bed, I asked him if there was anything I could do to help make his first day of school a little easier. His answer? “Just please don’t try to give me one of your pep talks.”

Jackson’s Back-to-School Night

Last week we learned that Jack’s 4th grade teacher would be Mrs. Jellison; he was actually excited because he said that she’s the teacher he wanted!

In looking through previous years’ back-to-school pictures, the first thing we noticed compared to last year is how much greener the grass is now. Then I realized that someone has really put some time and effort into maintaining this sign — it’s been stained and the rusty hardware’s even been replaced.

Landon’s first day of preschool

Landon’s preschool open house

Jackson’s first day of third grade

It was the most painless first day of school yet!

And a shot from "Back-To-School Night" Monday evening.

First day of second grade

Hopefully by the time I'm taking Jack's first-day-of-school picture in college, he'll be a little more willing.

Back-to-School Night

Unfortunately, William and Meriwether's old wooden canoe finally rotted this year.

First day of first grade

Back-to-School Night

First day of kindergarten!

Lewis & Clark Elementary — "blazing a trail of discovery."

These two pictures are actually from Back-To-School Night (two days earlier) when we met Jack's teacher, Mrs. Benner, for the first time and took his school supplies.

Despite the rain that morning, Jack was ready to have a thumbs-up day. Loaded down with his backpack, lunch, umbrella and nametag around his neck, he was ready and rarin' to go.

Waitin' for the school bus.

Brody, our next-door neighbor, started kindergarten too; they shared a seat together on the way to school. Awwwww....

Besides being the first day of school, Jack was most excited about getting to ride the school bus by himself. In fact, when we asked him that afternoon what his favorite part of the day was, he said "The bus."

And away we go!