Back Once More - 2 and 4

OK, so this might actually be my favorite day of the year.  That first day that the boys are back in school and I am home, alone, in a very quiet house.  The boys started school a week and a half ago now, but because of work and school holidays and whatnot, today is the day.  My list of to-dos is endless and I don't even know where to begin, but it feels great to resettle and tidy my house and start chipping away at all those things that got pushed aside in favor of summer fun.  But one thing I promised myself I'd do today is post those classic back-to-school photos, to mark the start of second and fourth grade in our house. 

Ethan is now a fourth grader, and this picture says it all - he is calm, mature, and confident.  This is the first year Ethan wasn't excited to go back to school, and that makes me sad.  He misses his third grader teacher, loves his neighborhood friends, and is just my boy who prefers to stay close to home. 

Despite his reluctance to head back to school, I was delighted to see this true smile on his face as he boarded the bus that first day.

Ethan tells me little about his school days, but from what I can tell, fourth grade is off to a decent start.  He is enjoying trading Pokemon cards on the bus, getting back into the routine of after-school football in our backyard, and of course, the return of the Pats to our Sundays.  He is also enjoying the return of soccer to our fall lineup.  He and his Stingers took their first win this past Saturday, and I'll proudly note that Ethan scored two goals himself.   

I am relieved that Ethan chose to play community rather than travel soccer for one more year, but it is clear that his competitive spirit and drive will lead us in that direction sooner or later.  It is a joy to watch him play and I, too, welcome the routine and community of soccer Saturdays.

Adam started school one day later than Ethan, doubling the opportunity to snap a few pictures of my favorite boys!  Here they are on Ethan's first day:  

 And then on Adam's first day:

I let the boys pick their own first-day-of-school outfits again this year, and they are just so perfectly indicative of their personalities.  Adam chose a "handsome" shirt to go with his brand new camping motif-ed backpack, while Ethan chose his favorite sports attire.

When we got to the bus stop, we realized one of Adam's friends and classmates had nearly an identical handsome outfit on!

And even in second grade, Horsey is still getting in on the back-to-school action.  This is Adam entering second grade - still cute as a button, quick to joke, and always up for a snuggle. 

So far, Adam seems to love second grade.  He is in class with one of his favorite buddies from last year, and says his teacher is very "sweet".  He is enjoying reading with his brand new glasses and meeting some new classmates, including a boy who just moved into our neighborhood!

Back to school = back to the hair salon for Mom!

The start of each school year brings with it excitement, transition, new worries, and opportunity.  My hope for my boys is that this year also brings new friends, different experiences, a whole lot of learning, a healthy dose of challenge, and a good bit of fun too.  Here's to a great school year for our 2nd and 4th grader!