{First Day of Kindergarten -- Millie Edition}

Well, we made it through the morning with no tears (Millie's or mine).  We walked Millie to school as a family and Scott and Teddy went on and walked Merrill to school while I waited with Millie for the doors to open and walked her to her classroom.  I did a lot of deep breathing as I walked to school hand-in-hand with Millie.  Urging myself to just take the moment in and remember it because it would be a fleeting one.  Millie and I both had some nerves and a few crooked, uncertain smiles and it was so hard to let her go on the last hug, but we did it.  She whispered a quiet "I want YOU" with a slight quiver in her voice and gave my hair one last hold.  I hugged her tight, told her I loved her and that she would do great.  I walked out of the room feeling more than a little lost.  I only hope she wasn't feeling the same.  I met Scott and Teddy back in front of the school and we had a quiet walk home.  (and now I'm crying...)  3:40 seems so far away...

please forgive all of the pictures ...  I'm invoking a mother's right to over-indulge and over-document every moment ...

I actually had to wake her this morning a little before seven ...  excited to use her new swirly straw cup from her friend.  A bonus to the swirly straw cup, as we discovered this morning, it prevents face from getting covered in chocolate milk!

 Millie made sure that I did not forget to "sneak" a few notes into her lunchbox :).  She snuck some around the house yesterday for everyone in the family.

 Teddy was not so much into doing a photo shoot -- he just wanted to play!

 Merrill was quick to remind me that I took pictures of Millie on her first day so I should take pictures of her today.  Happily, my dear :)

 Always watching those sisters

Millie's turn to twirl

 ready to go

 Millie -- my girl who always takes the time to stop and pick flowers (and give them to people she loves).  Today was no exception.

 saying goodbyes

 getting a little nervous ... (and probably wishing I'd stop taking pictures!)

 and then there was one...