First Day

The Desired and Dreaded Day finally came: school begins.  The older girls were up early and ready to go in enough time for me to snap a couple of photos before heading off to school.  Seminary won't begin until next week, thank goodness, so we can ease back into these early mornings.  Elizabeth had Grizzly Academy and Freshmen orientation last week, so she has had a little bit of exposure to the high school, but she is still extremely nervous about everything.  Her biggest worry?  Getting lost.  I would be too.  It's a high school of just over 2,000 students.  The commons area at lunchtime is crowded and loud; not an easy place to be. Ryan made sure he walked Elizabeth to each of her classes yesterday, so hopefully, she has an idea of how to get to where she is going today.  Emma is a junior this year with a driver's license, and she's totally ready for this.  She's a bit nervous about AP and college in the classroom classes, but I think she is going to do well.

 I guess I should say, Emma has a driver's license and a car to use.  My heart gave a bit of a painful squeeze watching them drive away, all big and independent.  Sniff.

Annie and Maddie were excited about school- not nervous in the least.  They are 5th graders, and their dad is the principal.  Worry is for lesser mortals.

 I took the girls shopping last week for their new, back to school t-shirt.  Emma opted for new slip-on shoes instead, so they are all wearing at least something new.

One of Ryan's students won a ride to school in a fire truck from National Night Out.  It was newsworthy, so here's a screenshot of the district Facebook photo of Mr. Principal, student, Mr. Superintendent, and a fireman.  I don't know why the photo quality is so terrible, but c'est la vie.  This little photo shoot had to be discussed in advance, with Ryan and the fireman having a discussion about where exactly would be a good place to park and turn around in the confusion of the first day of school.  The student appeared to have brought all of his near relations to school.  There was a party of about 14 who all wanted a photo with the firetruck, and then they all walked the student to class.  I glimpsed the party when I brought Annie and Maddie to school.

What a zoo though.  I had to park across the street in our church parking lot because there were no parking places at all in the school parking lot.  But I didn't know that until after I drove through the parking lot.  Consequently, Annie and Maddie made it to class just after the first bell.  We've never been that late on the first day.