The school year has begun!

This past week was the first week of school for Ellie and Emma. Ellie started 3rd grade and Emma started 1st grade. Their teachers are Mrs. Hall for Ellie and Mr. Zajdel for Emma (pronounced Zaydel or Mr. Z as Emma calls him.) School started on a Monday this year, and now I know why, in years past, school has started on a Thursday. It has been a loooong week. We survived the first week of craziness though,  and the girls couldn't be more excited about their new teachers and classes.

It wasn't as hard to drop them off this year. I honestly felt like we just left the school. I always have a little heart jump as they walk into their rooms. It is hard to see them growing so quickly. I especially worried about Ellie this year. One of her best friends moved this summer, and the other best friend is set to move to Warner Robbins as soon as their house here sells.  Needless to say, Ellie was going in already sad about all of that, and she was very nervous about the 3rd grade. She could hardly sleep Sunday night she had the jitters so bad. After her first day though, she said it wasn't as bad as she had expected it to be. Emma loves her new teacher (who is also a 9th grade boys basketball coach.) She says he is really funny, and she thinks that the 1st grade work is easy so far.

Mack was sad to see his sisters go to school the first day. When we dropped them off Monday morning. Mack and I got back into the car and Mack said, "Ok mommy, when do we pick them back up?" I have (sometimes) enjoyed the Mack and mommy time we've had since they've been back in school. I do forget how hard it is for him to entertain himself when the girls aren't around. He is definitely not good at independent play. He starts school this coming week, so I can't wait for his comments on how his first day went.

They kept with the same career choices this year. 

Mack was mad because we wouldn't let him come outside and get in the picture, so he photobombed us. 

Obligatory front door first day picture

Ellie standing in front of Ms. Hall's class. She was a nervous wreck. If you look closely, you will see her name on the door , "Lizzie." 

Emma walking into the first grade. This little girl was not the least bit afraid. She acted like an old pro. 

We did our annual first day of school dinner out at The Mill, a buffet pizza and games restaurant. 

Mack and Worth raced several times. I thought this picture on the screen was hilarious. 

Ellie spent quite a bit of time "driving" as well. 

We followed up the Mill, with a froyo stop at The Mix.

For some reason, my children think gummy worms and frogs are best on froyo

What I deal with during carpool line, mainly because he gets up at 5:00am and refuses to nap. 

What happens in carpool line when he finally gives up. 

This is random, but this is a peace lily that I got when my grandfather died in June of 2002. 

It is still blooming! I'm not sure how I'm keeping this thing alive, but I think it is beautiful, and it makes me happy when I see it blooming every summer. 

Friday night, we went to a family Bingo night at the Country Club. This is Mack when he didn't win the 1st round. He  was REALLY mad....

until he won the 4th round.

This little stinker won against about 150 other people. He chose the $25 Target gift card as his prize. 

We found a small soccer/baseball field in our neighborhood. Saturday morning, the girls rode their bikes, while Mack and I followed in the golf cart to this field to practice some soccer. Emma and Mack will be playing for the first time this fall. 

They mostly fought the entire time. Ellie tried to be in charge and threw a fit when no one listened to her.  At that point, we headed home for lunch.