Lily's First Day of School

On the day that Lily was born I thought kindergarten was so far away.  I remember thinking that she would be our baby forever.  Just like many things with parenthood, I was so wrong about that.  Yesterday was Lily's first day of kindergarten.  It was also Jeff's first day at his new job (he accepted a promotion last week).  So it was a big day in our house.  As I was making lunches for everyone on Sunday night our sweet nephew Sam called Lily to wish her good luck on her first day.  Such a sweet boy!  Jeff was sad not to walk Lily in to her class, but I told him it would be mostly Mom's.  I don't think Lily was nearly as excited for her first day as I was. 

Once I promised her pancakes for breakfast she perked up.  Of course I had taken Lily shopping last week to buy her first day of school dress.  It was something I have looked forward to doing and we had a fun day getting school supplies and her outfit. 

We got in the car and started driving and I realized I don't know exactly where the school is.  Jeff always drives and I am distracted with the other kids.  No worries,  I can just follow the trail of tears and minivans to find my way.  Once we got to the school and I of course had to take some more pictures:

We got to her class, which was mass chaos.  I put Lily's things away and she sat down and started coloring.  I was excited to see that sitting right next to her is our pastor's son.  Jeff was hoping that they would be in the same class and was very excited to find out that they are not only in the same class, but sitting next to each other.

Lily endured a few more pictures and really wanted me to go so she could get on with her day.  I was very proud of myself for not bursting into tears and grabbing my baby and running out of there.  I even managed to keep it together and not fully cry (just a few teary eyes) the whole day.

I often marvel about how fast Lily is growing up and I wonder where time as gone.  When I was eating breakfast with Lily I almost fell out of my chair when she said, "What's up with my hip?  It hurts."  We just went from kindergarten to the old folks home?  Hello reverse Benjamin Button.  Lily is taking her new found responsibility of being a "Big Girl" very seriously these days.  Yesterday afternoon Lily was cleaning her room since she promised Jeff she would.  I went upstairs to check on her and this is what I found:

I asked Lily how Lawson got in the chair and she told me she put him there.  He was in time out for messing up her room.  As you can see he looks really sorry.

Poor Abby and Chloe did not know what to do without Lily and Daddy home yesterday.  So they did the only they could.  Crank up the volume.  I think they both spoke only at a yell the whole day.  Poor Lauren is having to get here earlier now that Jeff is leaving early so I am sure that did not help her morning routine.  Abby's new thing is to ask, "How?".  When I tell her not to touch my computer she says, "How?"  I say, "By taking your hands off of it."  She says. "How?"  then "How am I touching it?"  I thought these kids couldn't drive me any crazier.  Good thing we love them so much.