First Day of School

  Big Day today!!!  Aidan and Emmy are both in middle school and left super early to catch the bus. Aoife and Declan got up early and even got dressed in time to take a picture together before they left for the bus. Hard to believe - they are all growing up so fast - too fast!!

Declan's First Day of Montessori Preschool

 So Declan changed schools today!  He had his first day of full time preschool at the same school as Emmy and Aoife.  He even got to go on the bus and come home on the bus.  We did a dry run at the bus stop yesterday and it didn't go so well. I was a little nervous about this morning but he did great and got on the bus no problem.  It did help that Aoife grabbed him by the hand and dragged him on without giving him a chance to think twice.
I did drive and meet the bus at the school since he had some stuff for naptime that he had to bring.  It was fun to see him put everything into his locker and put his lunch on the cart.  He didn't even turn around to say goodbye - just marched right into class!  He came off of the bus so happy that afternoon and has been happy every morning since!

First Day of School - 2016

 WE MADE IT!!!!!  It's the first day of school - finally!  We have had such a great summer but with all of these changes on the horizon, it was hard to wait through the last few weeks of summer!
Aidan started Middle School today and had to get up very early this morning - his bus comes at 6:55 am which means he needs to walk to the bus at 6:40.  The girls really wanted to see Aidan before he left for school so they got up an hour early to see him off!  Declan even ended up waking up right as we were taking pictures - so he made it into a few!!
After a LONG morning, Emmy and Aoife got on the bus to their new school!  Declan was so excited to go to the bus stop to see them and his friend off on the bus.  After they left on the bus, we drove over and met them at the school.  It's a tradition at their new school that parents walk the kids to their classrooms on the first day.  It was a little weird but nice to see them getting settled.  Emmy already knew a few people in her class and she seemed fine.  Aoife was a little worried because she didn't know anyone - but I'm SURE she'll be right in the mix in a few days!!
Afterwards Brendan and I went to breakfast with Declan - I think he likes being an only child!!

First Day of School 2015

 So today was a big day!!!  The first day of school and the first time in 3 years that the kids weren't starting in a new school.  They were so excited that they would know people in their classes and that they would have friends in other classes that they would see at recess!  Oh the things that most people take for granted!!!
Aidan is in 5th grade this year and that means that he gets to be a bus patrol.  It's a very sought after 5th grade job and he even went to a week of police camp to get ready.  He is also very happy with his new teacher and with the kids in his class.  He has a new mix of kids and it will be great to give him an opportunity to become closer with some other people!
Emmy is in 3rd grade and has a great teacher as well. She is lucky to have some friends from her class last year, friends from church and friends from lacrosse in her new class.  She loves that they will be studying Spanish this year and that art and music have been increased to three times a week!
Aoife is in 1st grade and so far the most awesome thing is that she gets to take three books out of the library at a time instead of just two - like in Kindergarten!  She seems to love her teacher and is having fun with new friends.  She loves to see her Kindergarten friends on the playground but seems busy making new friends in class as well.
I think that this year is going to be great.  They deserve it - they've put up with a lot already.  Having a little stability for a few years will be so good for them!

First Day 2014
First Day 2013
First Day 2012
First Day 2011
First Day 2010 
First Day 2009

Here are some pictures of them coming off of the bus - all smiles and hugs for Declan!!

Declan's First Day of Preschool

 Today was Declan's first day of school at St. Charles Borromeo Preschool and he LOVED it!!  He was so excited last night that he could barely get to sleep and today he woke up ready to go.  He ate a few bites of French Toast and some yogurt and wanted to get his backpack and get in the car.  What a sweet little boy!  He's been waiting forever to go to school.  He's watched the big kids go to school for his whole life and he finally got to go and play on the playground, paint, sing songs, read book and have his own cubby.  This is one happy camper and he can't wait to go back on Friday!!

He seems so much older than the others when they started school - I guess he is about 6 months older and that does make a big difference at this age!  Here are Aidan, Emmy and Aoife's first day of preschool!