First day of school!

School started today and Nathan went off to his first day of high school! I did fine not crying today because I already had my "shock attack" last week during the open house. His school is brand new and he'll be in the first freshman class to start there. The school is absolutely AMAZING - they planned for everything. It's like walking into some futuristic high school, only it's for real! I walked along with him and just suddenly out of the blue the tears hit me when I realized my baby is really going to high school.  Wasn't he just a little screaming, colicky baby and I held him thinking, "What did I do to myself?  I have to do this for 18 more years?!"  And now he's all grown up!  I didn't expect the tears.  But I was so excited for him and actually a little jealous thinking about all the fun, new and interesting things he gets to learn. And then it just hit me... I have a KID IN HIGH SCHOOL!! Didn't I just get out of high school?  So I cried my little silent tears without him knowing it and now I'm ok with him going. Anyway, he's excited and a bit nervous even though he doesn't either one much. He's a pretty mellow kid so it's hard to tell what he's really thinking.  I'm so excited for him and all the opportunities he has ahead of him. He has so much potential and I'm excited to see where he chooses to go in life.  He also started early morning seminary today.  I'm really glad he chose to go and not complaining at all, but now our new wake up time is 5am.  **sigh**

And a side note... a little Nathan brag.  We got his KS state assessement scores and he was ranked in the 100 percentile. I've never, ever (not even while I was in school) seen an actual state assessment score of 100.  So even though tests scores don't mean much sometimes, I'm still a proud mommy.

Katie started middle school today too!  BIG day at our house! Michael is going into 8th, Anna 4th, and Lydia 2nd. Elizabeth still has a year until Kindergarten. So my kids are off to school and I'm enjoying a REALLY QUIET house!!!

Pics of the kids leaving for school today:

Nathan off to high school:

 Caleb joining his big brother for a picture.

 Michael off to 8th grade.  He would barely smile for me... he says "it's too early and school's boring anyway." 

 Katie off to middle school.  She's trying to smile, but my camera is too slow to catch it.

 Anna in typical Anna Style.

Anna putting lip gloss on Lydia.  Gotta look our best for school you know.  Girls!

Lydia, excited for 2nd grade.  (Much better than the worry from last year!)

Elizabeth doesn't go to school for another year.  She's pretty upset about that.  So we got her a backpack of her own and she's happy for now.

 Elizabeth and Caleb have to do everything the big kids do.

Don't know what's up with Elizabeth.