First day of school

Have I mentioned that I am a procrastinator extraordinaire? (Did you know that extraordinaire is one of the few English adjectives that follows it's subject? Did you just call me Cliffy?)

The girls started over a week ago. And a grand tradition for the first day of school was broken. See. My girls don't really have the girly. Fashion-y. Matching colors gene. It appears to have skipped a generation. Or perhaps there is a rogue influence from Michael's side of the family. But on this one day. I get to pick out their clothes. Because there are pictures involved. (Okay fine. There are other days. Like Christmas morning. Or when we have family pictures taken. But it is not often. At all. Unlike the good ol' days. Where I could even have them match. In Gymboree clothes.)

This year. They revolted. Protested. Stomped their angry feet. And I decided to let them win this battle. (Because they actually did a good job. And I managed to convince Madalyn that it was her idea to wear a plaid skirt instead of a shirt that makes her look like a bumblebee. Nope. Not my idea at all.)

They have changed so much. Katie is now in 6th grade. Middle school! And Madalyn is in 3rd grade. Halfway through elementary school! (Hmmm...I can tell that I got a digital camera when Madalyn was in pre-K and Katie in 2nd grade...)

Look at these girls now:

(I don't know how I get roped into buying so many backpacks. Madalyn manages to finagle a new one every year. Even though the old one is fine. And even though we homeschool Katie, she is all about getting a backpack, too. This year she decided to channel Lizzy. Actually. They both did. With their homage to plaid.

Oy Vey! The changes in Katie. She has grown over 4 inches since APRIL. And she had the nerve to lose 10 pounds from all her exercise being on swim team. (I want to grow four inches and lose 1o pounds. Anyone know where I can sign up to do that?).

Look at the difference - last year:

This year:

AND she is now taller than me.

(Why oh why didn't anyone tell me that my hair looked like that? Please pretend it has been combed. And that the humidity is not at 98%. And while we are at it...pretend I am thinner, too. And taller.)

And then I have this to contend with:I am not sure that I can handle the teen years...

So...what about you? Have your kids started back to school (or "school")? What was your favorite year of school? Do your kids let you pick out their clothes?

Happiest Time of the year First day of School

I suppose that we have known for over a year that today would be the first day of school. With that knowledge, I am not quite sure why we waited until the day before to get school supplies. And tennis shoes. Because waiting that long meant waiting in long lines at Tar-jay. Where I never have to wait in lines. Except the day before school. It also meant that Tar-jay had no shoes. Not one single pair of tennis shoes. Which actually made the girls happy because they only want to wear their Crocs.

We packed Madalyn's backpack last night. This morning she picked out her snack. And she has not been able to stop talking about going back to school. She's been counting down the hours and minutes. And she was beside herself with excitement when we saw her teacher at Tar-jay. It was like a celebrity sighting.

Then this morning, they put on their first day of school outfits. You know. The ones that I get to pick out for this day. Only this day. And our photography session began.

Have I mentioned that I have strange children?

Even the kitties knew that something interesting was going on outside.Apparently Madalyn cannot decide if she wants to be a muscle man or a flamingo.

And then the bus pulled up. And I got my camera out to capture her taking her first steps onto her yellow limo. And I am looking through the camera. And my child does not appear in my view finder. Where is she? Both boys get on. But no Madalyn.

I put down my camera and she is right in front of me. Telling me that she is not going to get on the bus. But that I am going to drive her to school. I don't believe I said anything. I just stared at her. Incredulous. And she repeated "I want you to drive me to school." And I think I continued to stare at her. My child who loves school. Who loves the bus. Who was counting down the seconds. Who never showed a hesitation until this very moment.

And then I was rescued by one of the other moms. Who took her by the hand and led her to the bus. Where the driver waited patiently for the drama to play out. Where Madalyn declared "Oh, FINE!" And got on the bus. And I didn't get a picture of her taking that step.

Are you excited about school starting? Do you have traditions to celebrate this happiest time of the year?