Happy Face! (*gulp*) Happy Face!

Isabelle & Max, off to the 1st day of school (1st & 3rd grades). Isabelle was so enthusiastic & ready to go (she woke right up that morning with a smile), and Max was pretty enthusiastic--even if the photo doesn't reflect it. Evidently, he has reached the age where big smiles for photos no longer come naturally. Nope. It's either a goofy face or a mere grin. *Sigh* I thought this didn't happen to boys until teenager-hood! Is this a genetic thing; their genes just mutate into mature boyhood gene?
Sis knew exactly which outfit she'd wear the first day; the one she chose herself. You will, in future back-to-school photo op's featuring new clothes, be able to immediately discern which outfits she adamently chose and which pieces I snuck into the pile. Hers: blue is a strong theme, sporty, spunky; Mine: feature rosettes, ruffles, ruching and yes, one instance of tulle. Hmmm. Wonder how we're going to work that out?... (bribery ideas welcome)
Max was much more at ease this year with the 1st day. Last year, because he was starting the year at a new school, he was nervous. I thought he might be but couldn't really tell and didn't want to make a big deal of it since he had said nothing. As we drove nearer to the school (last year), though, he blurted, "Will you stay until the bell rings?" As we lingered on the playground I asked him what he was thinking (because he was so quiet and pensive and just worried looking) and he said, "I'm just thinking that if I don't find a friend, I'm in BIG trouble." Totally serious. Usually he cracks jokes, but her was all business. I had to swallow the tears. Why is it that being a mother seems an endless series of letting go? It's so hard to give them the little pep-talk and then a gentle, confident nudge to brave it on their own.
(I'm loving the big-girl teeth, but I miss the huge gaps.)
It was good this year to feel distinctly irrelevent on the 1st day. Both of them seemed confident and excited. Isabelle found a few friends from last year that are also in Miss Jones' class.
Here she is in line to go in at the bell. She loves her flourescent camo backpack more than life itself.
Mimi & I traipsed off to the park and also had cold lunch. She insisted on packing exactly what Isabelle had in HER lunchbox.
And this is after school. No words needed.
These are the little teacher gifts we made to give Miss Jones & Miss Shirley on "Meet The Teacher" day. Breath mints & crystal lite packets.
Isabelle gave this card to Miss Jones.