'Twas the Night Before First Grade

By Da Mama

'Twas the night before first grade and all through the house, every creature was stirring, even the mouse.

We're just off a long holiday weekend of playing, organizing, cleaning, and otherwise spending time with one another - all in preparation for the back to school routine.

Bella is nervous about starting first grade because she thinks it will be "hard". She has been looking for more reassurances from mommy and daddy than normal. It was good that we spent so much time together this weekend, but also might make the morning harder tomorrow. We'll see, though. Already, Bella has said that she does not want daddy to walk her inside the school and only relented on this point when she learned the other kids would also have their parents walk them in on this first day at least. She is most excited about "Fluffy" the room gerbil, a creature who looked utterly terrified on back to school night.

I am feeling homesick tonight. I always get this feeling right before a transition. Not that we are going anywhere, but home to me is not just space,but also time. Another time in our life has passed - the innocence of the first year of kindergarten behind us and summer behind us and a whole new group of kids, new teacher, new activities, new time ahead. The butterflies in my tummy are a'flappin tonight for certain.

Here are some photos from the last week or so:
Bella and Grandma Susan - one of them more excited than the other to have her photo taken yet again.

Bella had a friend sleep over this weekend for the first time ever. She and Sophia have known one another since they were twelve weeks old. The went to the beach, ate pizza and watermelon for dinner, watched Return of the Jedi, made melting bead animals, then "went to bed", then giggled for one hour before they both passed out.

Iris stamping and coloring - a very serious artist.

Bella's mango colored tongue at Taste of Madison.

Staying cool in the shade on a hot day in Madison.