Back to School

Since I didn't have preschool to prep for this year, I decided to go the extra mile and have a Back to School Dinner.  Luckily my kids have low expectations, because though I felt like I was doing tons of stuff, it looked a little less than stellar.  They were very kind though and acted very happy and grateful.

We left the "decor" up for breakfast the next morning.  This picture cracks me up because the boys were freezing and so wearing jackets, and also because I had to have a candle between the boys because Jared couldn't stand the "awful smell" of Ethan's bagel.  Poor child, right?!

 The boys were excited and started to get silly with their jackets. 

 This is Jared's I-don't-want-you-to-take-my-picture smile.

 Before heading out to the bus, I took some very over-exposed pictures of my children.  Oops!

 

It's kind of sad when the phone pictures are better than the real camera.  Also, total mom fail...I didn't have the boys try on their tennis shoes (that they didn't wear once during the summer and consequently still look good, but apparently were way too small) until the morning and so they had to wear other shoes.  And...I didn't get Jared's hair cut until the next day.  Oh well, right?

 Ethan couldn't stop watching the neighbors...and of course Elliott (Jared's elephant) had to make an appearance.

Jared was most excited about riding the bus.  We have the greatest group of neighbors at our bus stop.

 "Bye Mom!"

 I then hopped in the car to meet them and take their pictures because I'm a crazy paparazzi mom.  Now...I should tell you that I was only okay with Jared riding the bus on his very first day because I knew he was with Ethan and their classrooms are serendipitiously right across the hall.  Well, what do you know, but I looked down the hall and saw Ethan coming by himself.  I was panicking inside, but calmly asked Ethan where Jared was.  His answer was also delivered calmly: "Oh, I don't know.  I lost him."

 Ethan went on in to class and then I started to hunt down Jared.

(Can you see Ethan?)

 Luckily, a neighbor friend's little brother was also in Jared's class and she helped him know where to go.  :)  Jared was tough and took it in stride.

 He was very curious about what was on his table.

 He was very excited to discover his playdough (even though you can't tell by this moment).and had a really great first day.

 Once he got it open, he looked over at me and said, "Mom, why are you here?"  I told him I wanted to take a picture of him in his class, so we took a picture and then I left.  Unfortunately I had crazy humidity bangs.  Oh well.