Wahoooooooooo, it's BACK TO SCHOOL SEASON! I've always been a momma that loves having everyone home all summer and spending time with her babies, and I did love that [for most of] June and July...
...but the first couple weeks of August were consumed with bickering and sassing and attitud-ing between the big girls, and finally one day Juliette and I had the genius idea to retreat to the pantry and make a secret paper chain countdown for their first day of school! Rawr!
In between tearing links off the secret chain ;) :), we found time to go back-to-school shoe shopping...
...and supply shopping...
...and even did all the supply labeling, too! Sigh! ...Just when I think they've officially driven me halfway up the wall and one more eye roll or sassy comment may literally commit me to sign them up for full time daycare next summer, I walk up on Scarlett making a set of kindergarten sight word flashcards and writing her name all by herself on her folders and notebooks, and my momma heart just can't take it! ALL.THE.FEELS. The days are long, but the years are short... Time is a thief, and moments like these are a real reset in reminding me to [try my VERY BEST to] enjoy all the ages/stages of the time I have these babies under our roof!!!
Then! Thankfully! I got my sappy-mom-self under control just in time for the drumrollllllll...
...Blessing of the Backpacks, school supply drop off, and Meet the Teacher Night! Scarlett is soooo so excited to be in Mrs. Wilson's class; she can't wait to start kindergarten at "the big school" alongside lots of the same friends from preschool...
...and Harper is movin' on up in the ranks as a big 3rd grader and looks forward to having Mrs. Litterst as her teacher!
I have to say -- and this seems like as good a time as ever to say it -- I was on the Pre-Cana marriage prep team with Mrs. Litterst severalllll years back; I think Harper was about 2 years old at the time, so it was long before we had decided on sending our kids to Catholic school. Most of the other marriage prep team couples already had school-aged kiddos, and I remember just putting my feelers out there and asking them why they chose STB school over public school. Mrs. Litterst spoke up first and said, "We aren't with our kids 24/7 anymore once they go off to school, but the best thing about the STB school staff is that they cherish and love the kids so well, and I know if ANYTHING ever happened to my kids in my absence, the teachers and staff would care for them the exact same way I would. And that level of trust and confidence, knowing the teachers love my kids and look out for them the same way I do, it means everything."
...Gosh, I'll never ever forget her saying that ...and it almost makes me teary-eyed typing it and knowing that she is 1000% right and my kids are cherished and loved soooo well at STB! What a blessing for our family to have baby Bluejays under the fanned out wings of Mrs. Wilson and Mrs. Litterst this year! You both will be very beloved "extensions" of our family this year as we hear stories about school happenings at the dinner table every night! Always know of our support and prayers for you!!! ...Just LMK how you like those eye rolls and sassy comments from my cherub children!!! ;) :)
Ok, back on topic..! It's one. more. sleep. before......
...THE FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL! 3rd grade and kindergarten, here they comeeee!
I turned around to ask Brian something after we snapped this pic with the Bluejay, and when I looked back, Harper and Scarlett were already headed inside! Cheers to a great year for our strong-willed gals! FLY, LITTLE BLUEJAYS!!! <3
As it turns out, Juliette is loving her 1:1 time with Mommy [AND IT'S NO SECRET, I'M LOVING IT TOO!]! Our days are filled with playing, crafting, snuggling, and doing alllll the age-appropriate things we don't get to do when the big girls are at home! Back to school.......ahhhhh. I know for this year, August is a win-win-win-WINNING situation for all!
The school year's theme is "Make Me an Instrument of Your Peace," and we have a goal to implement that in our home as well! Blessings and love to all school kiddos and families for a great year ahead! LET'S LEARN! :D
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