Back to School

I once again find myself behind on my blog. School started weeks ago, but I don't want to miss posting pictures of the kids. Ben and Whitney started school first. I can't believe this is Ben' last year at Oakdale, they are growing up so fast.

It has been interesting to watch the change in Ben this year. All of his "neighborhood" friends have started middle school and he is back on the swim team. With such busy schedules he doesn't "hang out" with friends much during the week and has spent more time at home. He is so sweet with his sisters. Sometimes I listen to him and Whitney talk like they are best friends and it brings me to tears. They pretty much only do this when they don't know I'm listening, keeping up appearances of being mortal enemies and all.

Hannah started school the next day. For some reason I thought I had a whole week longer with her because that is how it was for Whitney and Ben. First grade is always the hardest year for me. I miss our lazy mornings together and Sarah misses playing with Hannah like crazy. I can't believe those days of having her with me during the day are gone forever.

When we got to Oakdale to line up we had to get a picture of her and her friend Katelyn like we started last year in kindergarten. They take dance together and are in the same class again.

Once again Hannah has her hair covering one eye. She won't ever let me put anything in her hair because it makes her "hair tired". As Whitney's class passed by to go in Whitney ran up and gave Hannah one last hug.

I had to take the picture quick because I didn't know she was going to do it. That really brought tears to my eyes. I would have absolutely loved to have a sister, and to see them be there for each other made me so grateful. I love knowing they aren't alone at school, that they have siblings there watching out for them on the playground.

When I got home I was feeling like time was going way too fast. I realized I only have one more year with Sarah before she starts pre-school. I want to make the most of our time together especially since she is my last. I asked her what she wanted to do and she said she wanted to ride "the train" (trax) I took her right then, she was so excited, our first outing during the day alone. This is her when she saw the train coming towards us.


And then us on the train.

She pretended that there were dragons on the train and we were princesses. When we got to the gateway we ate lunch and went to the bookstore. She could spend hours there playing with the trains and reading books. (That's my girl!) By the time we got home we had to go straight to pick up the kids. I hope that I can remember to take time to memorize every little thing she does before she grows up too.