Sob, Sob, Sob, Blow, Sniffle, Sob, Sob

You've been waiting for it. I know. As of one minute ago, it is Thursday morning, a full four days after the first day of school, and yet... no blog. No pictures of my gorgeous children. No witty commentary on the joys and frustrations of getting children out the door to school. No shameless bragging about how amazing the little buggers are. Well, I've kept you waiting for the element of suspense. Okay, not really. I was just busy. As I'm sure you were too. But, humor me for a few more minutes because the witty (or not so witty) commentary is about to commence.

So, here it is, the theme of my week. *Sobbing begins here.* My children are growing up. If you don't believe me (though I'm not sure why you wouldn't unless you're suffering from parent self-preservation induced denial and fully believe that time has stopped since you gave birth - which I often prefer to do), you can just take a look at my big kids below. William is in... sniffle... second grade and... sniffle again... would not allow me to kiss him goodbye after I walked him into class. I said, "Oh, I'm sorry, I forgot," and stood next to his desk staring at him with a goofy grin, feeling like I'd just been rejected by the cutest boy in school (well, really I was rejected by the cutest boy in school... told you there would be bragging). So far, he's had a great week. His homework tonight? A blank sheet of paper with the question: What is mathematics? Explain using words or pictures. I'm fairly certain I could spend all night thinking about the question and still not get it right. Will's answer: Math is everywhere. Math is numbers. I can add and subtract. Pretty good answer, I'd say. Certainly better than Mommy would have done.

Molly had "Meet the Teacher" today. She was thrilled last night when she found out that she'd have the same teacher she had last year. Ms. Shannon looked just as happy to see her. I was happy that my little girl was happy. They are hoping to build some emergent readers by the end of the year. The thought that in 12 months I will be sending her to Kindergarten... sorry I have to stop and take a breather here... nope can't go on... did I mention she's in dance class? That I can handle!

And, just so I leave no one out. At the preschool, all the teachers commented on how much difference a summer can make when it comes to a baby. Jack is probably twice as big as when they saw him. He couldn't sit up without some support, and now he is crawling, standing, and trying very hard to make Mommy help him figure out how to walk. Oh, and three more teeth are pushing their way through his swollen little gums. Poor guy. Gotta love that chub, though. I love me some chunky baby thigh! On that happy, yummy note...

Here's the big second grader.

She had to put on her new school clothes to see her teacher.
In the next picture, she held up the "MB" magnets for her initials. Genius.

He wanted to get out of the sun. I left my windows down so the car wouldn't get hot. It didn't get hot. It got soaked. Mommy didn't listen to the weather this morning. Silly mommy!

Oh, and this one if for Aunt Holly and Uncle Dawson, who visited a few weeks ago. Apparently, Uncle Dawson is a climbing structure... a very gracious climbing structure. But, he's rewarded with lots of love!