Firsts...

His very first (and second) day of school.
He loved it.

He woke happy and eager.

Shut down for the first day photo

but perked up with a bit of prompting...

I planted this Rose of Sharon at our old place
practically on the day he was born.
We moved it (and split it into 4 plants)
and we will take some of this plant to each place we live.
And I hope we'll take many many first day photos
with it in the background.

His teacher is wonderful,
welcoming,
has great toys (according to Ben)
and sings every single day.

His class is diverse,
has 20 kids,
no crying screaming Junior Kindergartens
and is right next to my classroom.

On Day one, Thursday,
sweet Mrs. Y, a friend and colleague,
(and also the giver of the Rose of Sharon)
watched my class
so I could escort my sweet baby to the door.
So very glad I could do that.

On day 2 I was reading with a wee one near the door
and watched my big boy come out into the hall to get his snack.
Reaching up, unzipping, retrieving, zipping up,
then helping a shorter girl,
and then going back to class
with a new friend.
Wow.
Big and independent.

Friday after school we headed out to dudes
first piano lesson.
It was a blast!
A mama and me program
and mama might actually learn something
she's always wanted to learn!

We needed today, our mama day, to recover...
allergic conjunctivitis...not pink eye apparently...
has been plaguing mama.
Glad I'm not contagious
but still miserable.

To help with the "hay fever" symptoms

we headed out to the barn.

250 new bales of hay.
Forts, flying, fun, fun, fun!

Carrots for the horses,

a giant dinner
and early to bed.