ON GROWING UP, & FINDING JOY WHEN SCHOOL RESUMES.

As August is coming to an end I think about the days I spent with Noah. When it was just me and him. All day. I've been one lucky mama to have spent five years alone with him. Noah is definitely my last child, and in all honesty it's a little heartbreaking. I love my children. I loved them when they were little, and I love them even more as they grow older, but boy will I miss these days of just hanging with my little guy exploring the universe together. 

Time is such a thief, and I know that this year is going to fly. I'm going to try my best to slow down this school year, and find joy in all the grades that my children are in. Especially with it being Noah's kindergarten year. I want to hang on to those precious moments before they fleet away. I want him to be able to remember the things he will be taught, and to know that I was there in his classroom helping. I want him to know that i care about his education even if he's just coloring pictures of the alphabet. I want him to know that I was there every step of the way. I want him to know that I'm not one of those moms who was counting the days for school to start so that I can  have time to myself and have all the kids out of the house, but to know that I'm excited for him, and his sisters to go to school because of knowledge in what they'll be learning. I want him to know how excited I'll be to share my mornings with him before school.

School resumes next Tuesday for Noah and Chelsea, and this is the first year of having one of my kids attending PM kindergarten. At first I was a tad bit disappointed because I would have loved for him to walk to the bus with Chelsea, but after thinking about it I actually don't mind, and don't feel the need to call the school to make a change. I'm a stay at home mom which means more flexibility for me than those moms who have to rush kids to school because they have to work in the morning. So I am looking forward to spending my mornings with him like we have been for the past five past years except that I'll be sending him off to school at noon which means we'll have four hours to make pancakes together, go for a walk, and just talk to him about anything and everything. I'm all for it, and am excited not only for the time I'll have with him in the morning, but for him to go to school! 

It makes me feel good knowing that he'll be coming home at the same time & on the same bus as Chelsea. Even though they bicker she is very protective of him. I see it in her eyes. Especially when I scold him after he's done something naughty (which is very rare) I know that she will protect him from any bullies or mean kids. Unfortunately she experienced that last year, and luckily it only happened once. I'm glad she had the courage to open her mouth to tell me and her teacher about that issue. So I know that she will be there for her brother at least for one year to guide and protect while they attend the same school. 

Next year he'll have to fend for himself'! With three older sisters and a mom like me I'm sure he'll have no problem. Although it's bittersweet, I'm trying to find the sweet in the bitter part of realizing that he's growing up too fast. His words, and attitude are maturing. I do look forward to those moments because it's a sign that he's changing, and growing up to be the best boy he can be. 

My nerd girls.

As I was looking back at these pictures, and this post from last year...it's hard to believe that another school year is about to begin.

I am a little reluctant for the girls to go back to school tomorrow, and although I vowed to strive to have a great day each day...I am feeling a little bit melancholy today. One thing I do know is that the choices they make this school year will affect them for the rest of their lives.

Especially for Sierra.

Sierra starts her senior year tomorrow, and she is ready. Ready to embark on her last adventure of public school. She won't have her plate as full as she did last year, but she is still heavily involved in extracurricular activities, and being the Laurel president over the young women in our church will keep her busy. She's excited, and anxiously awaits to fulfill her duties whether at church and school the best way she knows how.

Alexandra will be a seventh grader whose intelligence goes way beyond her level, and is the same height as Sierra (she's even taller than her when she wears small heels!) Lucky for her she is learning a lot from her older sister in the example that she has set when it comes to being a student. Alex is lucky to have her as a sister, and has learned so much from her when it comes to setting an example.

Chelsea is my second grader who wants to be everybody's friend, and wants everyone to know that they can come to her if anyone has a problem. She is the little adult in the group, and because she sees how her two older sisters are at being quick studies at just about everything...she wants to be just like them. I'll say to her, "Chelsea, you don't want to grow up too fast, you'll have plenty of time to do the things that they do, and when it is your turn it'll happen. And then, you'll be saying to yourself, "I'm so glad I learned first, waited, and then finally accomplished it!"

She definitely has her own, unique personality! Sometimes it scares me, sometimes it doesn't. 

Noah still has another year until he attends public school, and I look forward to spending my days with him. I'm in tears because he is talking in clearer sentences, and is getting taller each day! Hopefully he won't get too lonely being by himself. I'll make sure to take him out so that he can mingle with other 'small people'.

I have so much love for our children, and I love being their mother.
They are my joy.
They have so much to offer in this life, ambitions to fulfill, goals to accomplish, and they all have the potential to move mountains.

No matter how old they all get...they will always be my baby (nerd) girls, and boy!