First and Last

I take photos like their going out of style. So when the first day of school came around I wanted to document it. I don't do the same thing every year. Hell, sometimes it's nothing more than a hurriedly snapped picture as I'm dropping them off in front of the school. Maybe if we lived in the same house the kids' entire lives I'd do something consistent like in front of our door or on our porch, but since we move, move, and move some more, I don't stress myself out with consistency, instead I'm just stoked they are all fed, clothed, clean, and making it to school on time. 

Real talk. So their first day of school photo for this school year was taken as we were about to head out of the door. We always drop them off on their first day. And since Owen went to one school and the older two went to a different school Seth took O and I took E and Ari. So I snapped this photo before we all split ways. Sam even plopped in the pic.

So cute. Then, ten months later. On the last day of school, we snapped another photo, in the same spot. Just look at their faces, they've all grown so much. Sam so much so that her big butt couldn't even fit on the steps anymore so she had to pose on the landing instead. 

Now it's summertime. Time to do fun summer shit.

First Days

This morning I only had 30 minutes to myself, 30 minutes in a quiet house before waking up the kids, when they woke it was back to the hectic morning rhythm and routine that comes with this time of year. Packed lunches for the little ones. Handed over $20 to my 8th grader. Poured two bowls of cereal. Scrambled two eggs. Poured multiple glasses of orange juice. Kicked Sam out of the kitchen twice. Did three loads of laundry. Drank two cups of coffee. And one cup of tea. Had Ethan change his shirt twice. Owen four times. Nixed a pair of Ana's shorts. Tried to convince her to wear jeans. Didn't succeed. Searched over the course of 45 minutes for Owen's shoes. Couldn't find a single pair of his shoes. Found only flip flops. Flip flops won't do. Cleaned the kitchen floor. Twice. Life with three kids and a puppy. Woke up daddy using a rambunctious 7 year old.  Watered two plants. Found a pair of Owen's shoes 5 minutes before walking out of the door. Kissed one forehead and three pairs of lips. Gave a gajillion hugs. Snapped one cute pic. Kissed two of my boys goodbye and wished them a good day. Dropped the older two off at middle school. MIDDLE SCHOOL! Tried not to cry as I walked away. This morning was crazy. This morning was the first day of school.