Back To School!

 Well, after 5 months of having the kids home with me, they have officially started back to school.  Believe it or not we would have loved a few more weeks off, nothing related to covid, we are just in summer mode still.  I have loved every minute of no alarm clocks, no lunch boxes, and no bedtime!  We are going to need a minute to get back on track.  Everything looked a lot different with starting school this year.  It was virtual open houses, there was no walking to classrooms, and everyone went wearing masks.  The kids will have shortened recess and eat in their classrooms.  There are definitely more prayers being said for all our students, teachers, and administration.  We are all learning and navigating these strange times together and no matter what we will come out on top and fine.  Regardless where your opinion falls about the virus and school we all need to pray constantly for everyone in the system.  

This year Cohen began 7th grade, Kate 3rd grade, and our Bryce became a kindergartener!  It made everything extra hard not being able to walk him into his classroom but we were able to park and walk him up and take pictures with his teacher.  He was SO excited.  At least he has not known anything different so he was fine and handled it all like a champ.  If he had any nerves I never knew it.  I was also thankful that Kate's teacher took a first day picture of each child and the whole class.  These will be ones for the books indeed.   A year like no other!  This year Kate has Mrs. Holcombe and Bryce has Mrs. Oliver.  I just know they will both have great years!  Cohen was ready to see her friends and she has an awesome lineup of teachers too.  I'm praying for an awesome year for her!  

And of course our first day of school photos:

Kate loved seeing a lot of her friends back in her class again!

These 2 cousins have a lot of classes together this year.

Of course since school started on a Friday we had to get one more visit in to the cattlebarn before Bryce would be in school.  This is the thing that breaks my mama heart.  I have loved having special days together with him and making these sweet memories.  It breaks my heart to think we won't have times like this together.  We may have to have some special lunch dates still.  I don't think I could stand it if we didn't.  

Funny story...when I took these pictures the sun was so bright that Bryce told me he really needed some new eyes.  He said his eyes just didn't work in such bright sunshine.  He's always good for a laugh!