Obligatory 1st day of school photos....

The emotional sending of my baby off to school came and went and we survived.  And in all honesty, it wasn't bad.  Ryan being such an independent little thing really helped - she likes school and was excited about all things related:  school supply shopping, picking out a backpack, new clothes, packing her lunches, etc....  Grant and I were able to walk her in on the first day and she made herself right at home and was happy to see a few of her good buddies from preschool.  She had met her teacher a few times before:  once at our house (such a brilliant idea that I never knew existed - the teachers make home visits over the summer) and once last week when they had an open house at school and we took all of our school supplies up and toured around.  She sent us off without a second glance....
New loot:

Touring the school and dropping off all of her supplies....

 The big day.....started off with a special pancake breakfast out with dad

Then home for pictures...

Hand in hand....just a bit further up the sidewalk is where she basically tells us she's got it from here and 'mom, you can go now'....

Someone else in this house also had their first day of school.....the Reesers started preschool!  While Grant, Emerson and I took Ryan, Reese got a special breakfast out with Grandma and Grandpa.  

 Then later that day, she was all smiles as we headed out to the Frog Room.

 I wasn't sure if she'd hesitate or not, but the girl couldn't have been happier (probably helped that she saw this school every day last year, twice a day, when we took Ryan).

 No surprise to me, but her teachers tell me she is 'hilarious' and 'such a hoot'.
Day 2 was the real test and lucky us, they were still smiling...Ryan requested a photo.  Glasses stayed in the car:)

 So, 3 days completed for Ryan and 2 for Reese and both are loving it.  And hell if I'd be lying if I didn't say it is quite nice to be down one for a decent chunk of the day.  Fighting ceases.  Harmony ensues.  Errands get run.   Now if we can just get Emerson on some sort of napping schedule (puh-lease), it'll be like Club Med around here.