FIRST

Jay is a FIRST GRADER.

Today was his FIRST DAY of FIRST GRADE.

Jay was his normal cool and collected self leading up to his first day of school. We went and met his teacher yesterday, and he was quiet--not shy--just observant, collecting data. I avoided asking him if he was nervous because I didn't want to plant that seed if it wasn't an issue! So I just talked about how nice his teacher seems and how he has 3 kids from his kindergarten class in his first grade class. Then this morning when Jay was saying the breakfast prayer he said "please help me not to be nervous at school." I was on high alert! Jay never talks about being nervous or acts nervous or anything! Was he scared! Again it didn't feel like the right question to ask, so I held back and talked positively about his exciting new school year while we walked the half mile to the school. Jay seemed a little quiet, but calm and focused. 

It is amazing how every mother-bear protective instinct was instantly on high alert as I watch my sweet young son walk onto the crowded playground all by himself. Will he be ok? Will the other kids be nice to him? Will he know where to go? Will he make friends? Will he feel happy? Can I handle this? I was getting all wobbly-chinned and tight throated watching him walk toward the school today until a friend drove past and called hello out of her car window. I snapped out of it, stopped wallowing, and contained the motherly ache in my heart without it spilling from my eyes. Then I went and drowned my sorrows in an incredibly exhausting 3.5 mile run with the 95 pound double stroller. It worked wonders. I was too focused on oxygen and getting that beast of a stroller to move forward to worry overmuch about my tender Jay at school.  

 The whole crew: Amber--almost 10 months old, Rose--age 4.5, and Jay--age 6.25

Left: first day of kindergarten and Right: first day of first grade. The boy has grown. He wore the same shirt both years though! haha.

Walking selfie--an extreme sport.

 Isn't this the saddest thing? That little boy with a monkey backpack just walking away into the crowd. The look over his shoulder about did me in!

Post-run: Rose was goofing around with the sunshade and Amber was snoozing. It's been months since I ran with the double stroller and WHEW. 

Can you believe her LONG, DARK lashes? Right under strawberry eyebrows! 

Speaking of FIRSTs, the Brown family finally has an heir! Derek Steven Brown was born last night. He's my brother Brad and his wife Dani's firstborn. He was the exact same length and weight as Amber when she was born. But he has HAIR! What a guy! My newest little neph--I wish I could go to Arizona and give him an adoring auntie hug and a squeeze. Newborns are so tiny and darling! LOVE.

All in all, a great week of firsts.

One for the road--early this morning, piled in bed together. Rose said "Amber smells like Rice Krispies!"