Growing up

Wow, another school year has come upon us. Amaya is in 2nd grade, and Jake is starting Young 5's. 2nd grade, it sounds like such a high grade, like she must be older. She is 7, but it seems as though she is still my little baby. She will always be my baby, but again, it just doesn't seem that she is old enough for 2nd grade. She is independent, strong, quiet, smart, and yet, is such a home body. She loves to be at home and have all her family here. She doesn't like change, but loves school. She was so ready to get on the bus yesterday, not a moment of hesitation, and she just hopped right on. It seems like it was just yesterday when she was writing her name on the driveway, by herself, with chalk. She was 3. Fours years have gone by since then and she has learned so much more. What am I going to be thinking the first time that she drives out the driveway with a liscense, or goes on her first date? My little girl. My Amaya Marie. My little punkin.

Amaya getting on the bus and telling Mickie (the bus driver) that she missed her, then she gave her a hug. We really like having Mickie as our bus driver, she is so nice and always talked to Jake, even when he wasn't a student.

Getting off the bus at school. (yes- I met them there to make sure that they got to where they needed to go, and NO, I didn't follow the bus there!)

Amaya and her new teacher, Mrs. Clauss.

Getting ready for the big day, Amaya and Jake stand in front of "the tree". It is a dogwood that my parents gave to us when Amaya was born. We always take their picture in front of it on 1st days of school. It is fun to see how the kids and the tree grow each year.
At our bus stop. This year, our neighbors, Sean and Mckayla are at the same bus stop as us. The stop is at the end of the driveway, where I love to have it. It is so convenient to have it stop right at our house. McKayla is in 5th grade and Sean is in 2nd with Amaya. He is even in the same exact class as her.

Jakers, our little man. He has always seemed older to me than his real age, but this year I notice the youngness about him. He is in young 5's because of his birthday, but also because of his immaturity. He is a comedian, a talker, a very outgoing little guy, who is a natural leader. I am happy that he is in school, but sad because this is the first year that he is away from me every day of the week. I am going to miss all that cuddling in the morning that he does. He always comes in, gives a hug and a kiss and says "good morning mama". It is just precious. He has still come in the last few days saying the same thing, but the extended cuddling has halted so that he can get ready.

Jake, too, had no problem jumping on that bus. Not a bit of shyness or hesitation. He WAS a little apprehensive once we got to the school because there were kids everywhere and we weren't sure just where to go, but we soon figured it out.

Getting off the bus at school and happy to see his mom.















Jake spotted TJ right away and gave him one of his famous hugs. TJ is also in Amaya's class.

Once in the school, Jake spotted his great friend, from preschool, Charles. The two boys are like peas in a pod. They speak their 5 year old "poopy diaper" language and have nonstop giggles. They are in the same class once again.

The boys checking out their frogs that they placed on the board in front of the classroom the week before at "meet the teacher" night.

Jake with his new teacher, Mrs. Ward.