ABC's & 1 2 3's...where did SUMMER with my Crazies go?!?!?

Here we go again...another Fall season, the beginning of another school year, and another moment of realization that our little Crazies are getting bigger...WAY. TOO. FAST! (My friends with college kiddos or grandkids of their own are rolling their eyes right about now...I know we'll be there soon, no matter how strong my grip or how deep I dig in my heels trying to slow down time! :)

Because I do most things out of balance, out of order, and a little chaotic, I'll probably  back track and recount some of our summer adventures in another post. But for now, a peek into our new "norm" :).

Kiddos had an awesome time at the Back to School Bash!
Inflatables, games, treats, and who needs face painting when you can get your hair colored?!?! :)

Our super big boy ready for his 1st day of Kindergarten!

He was SO excited to have an "Army" back pack...had he grown up in KY, he would have called it "Cammo" or a "hunter's" back pack...but he's spent most of his years in military-country :).

Our silly 2nd-grader! Of course she thinks she's
the "big" kid now that little bro is at school, too!

Their "true colors" :).
And yes, Joey's wearing a different shirt than in the previous pics. Kids were encouraged to wear their Stopher shirts (different color for each grade) on the 1st day, but I needed some pics of him looking spiffy for the beginning of his school days...however, this does a WAAY better job of catching their real personalities!

We now have 6 whole school days under our belts, and everyone's doing pretty well :). We're continuing to adjust to the new routine. I miss our older two a LOT during the day, but love hearing their excitement when they share something or someone new they've discovered that day, and I have to admit...the house is a LOT quieter, and running errands with only 2 children seems like a vacation!! 

The differences between the girl and the boy at school are hilarious...Anna provides so many details that it's comforting, yet sometimes nauseating. Joey offers occasional random details and took at least 4 days to be able to tell us the name of a single kid in his class :). Joey's also working hard to control his sweet impulsive nature...3 days into his school career had already earned him a "color change," and a note and phone call from the teacher because he can't seem to stop talking (I can't imagine WHERE he gets that :). Thankfully, he's still excited about going back every day! Anna continues to amaze us with her love for learning and super behavior at school (NO hint of the shenanigans she shows at home); however, the challenge is in teaching her that gloating about her pristine behavioral history (as her little bro struggles a bit in this area) is not acceptable :). 

We are blessed and extremely thankful that God answered our prayers for our children to be able to attend a great school nearby (something that would seem to be a no-brainer, but in the JCPS system, it's a very complex, and often frustrating, process). I have also been able to meet a few more parents from the school, and even attended a Bible Study at one mom's home this summer. The night before school started, some of us gathered in the parking lot and prayed for the children and staff as they prepared to return and kick off a new school year the next day...it was so encouraging and inspiring to pray with these other Christian women who also feel God calling their families to shine His light in the Public School System...what a privilege!