The Unofficial End of Summer

We have had quite an exciting week over here. After five and a half long months, the girls have returned to school. Last Monday, Macie started Kindergarten and Henley started Second Grade. They could not have been more excited. In the weeks leading up, we loaded up on necessary school supplies and uniforms (including masks), we started working on an earlier bedtime (because let’s be real, those were the first to go in quarantine), and understanding the protective measures the school was taking.

Our school district did an incredible job of providing options for all families. We had our choice of four options—homeschool, fully virtual, virtual at our school temporarily, or full in-person. For a few reasons, we chose full in-person and based on a lot of the measures being done at the school, we felt good about our decision.

Last Monday, we loaded the girls in the truck and prepared ourselves for tears or at least some sadness. We were met with excitement and the cutest little girls so eager to meet their teachers and make new friends. With all of the chaos of starting school in a pandemic, I never fully processed that my youngest was starting Kindergarten. Pulling away from the school after drop-off, I started crying. I did not expect that at all—-emotions are always sneaking up on you as a parent.

During the day, Ted and I got to work in a quiet house, uninterrupted. Maybe this working from home gig isn’t half bad! We were so excited to pick them up at the end of the day. They were all smiles and both so eager to share their days with us.

All week we heard stories of books read, sight words learned, and friends made. Let’s hope the positivity continues and these girls remain happy and healthy.

Mere