Big K

It's happened! OJ is in school. Like for real school. Kindergarten. (That's for real school, right?) So much anticipation and now we're here! We're super excited about her school (it's like a cooperative elementary school where everybody loves Jesus - rock. on.) and can't wait to learn more as we get into the year, as I get into her classroom, as she gets into the routine and tells us all about it.

O and her first-day-of-school flower shot. Inspired by our rock-star-dad of a pastor, who is big on intentionality and creating memories with his children, mama chose this to be a tradition. When she's a Senior, she'll hold a dozen. It only took me two trips to our local Giant (grocery store) and the purchase of two bouquets to nail down what flower I wanted amongst the vast floral variety available from the end cap. And Papa took his girl out for breakfast. Donuts totally provide what you need to get your education on. Or it's a good thing first day just went 'til 1:00.

Ultimate first day of school photo. Random note: we picked up the head band this summer, thinking it'd go well with her uniform. And since that was the thought for its purchase, she wanted no other hair accessory for her first day of school. I did, however, convince her today that silver heart barrettes would work better with her requested braids.

Ready to rock.

So excited to find a composition notebook with her name on it awaiting her at her desk! This is her "journal" that comes home each day and her homework is to draw a picture/story, with the guideline of two page per day. Upon arrival at home, she dutifully sat at the dining room table and began. Then after hearing the 2nd and 4th grade neighbor girls arrive home across the street, she asked if she could go work on homework at their house - she was very excited to finally be part of the after-school, homework havin' crowd, and went to school today with six pages done. Hey, it's fresh, blank paper that's all hers - mama's going to have to keep tighter tabs on the journal or provide additional, non-recycled/half used drawing surfaces for her prolific draw-er.

Hands down my most "she's so grown up!" shot of the day.

Hangin' with the homies, i.e. one quarter of her class; 16 kids per class and it's one class per grade. Plus I know you wanted to see what the birth of a butterfly looks like.

Right before mama had to exit the room and she had to take her seat. And yeah, those are cans for walking in background, right there in the room. YOU want to be in Kindergarten, right?!

At her spot.

Our last shot as we were (kindly) booted out the door. Riddled with anxiety? Hmmm, no.

Yes, I took a picture of her backpack hanging at her cubby. Mama was feeling all guilty about O not having a new backpack for school, but just a part-of-luggage-set, purchased-for-moving-and-has-a-ripped-lining backpack, so we went to work. Fabric remnants (ya'll recall the girls' window shade in IC? Right here, baby), fabric glue and fabric paint and removed lining. Rainbow colors and sparkles? How do you go wrong?

Love this over the shoulder shot (I promise I was at a stop light) for two reasons: 1) her little curly ponytail 2) her unabashed, "I had a good day" and "check this out" expression.

All of us before the school blessing the first night of school. For all of you parents out there, here's the prayer that we all prayed standing together that hit this mama's heart:

Heavenly Father, you have blessed us with the joy and care of our children. We pray that we can be strengthened by you to love them with the love of Christ, who tenderly received them and gladly welcomed them that they may love whatsoever is true and pure and beautiful and of good report. Remove from our homes every root of bitterness, seed of despair, and pride of life. Make our homes sanctuaries of peace, love and joy. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.