We were out the door bright and early on Monday morning, but I managed to take a couple extra minutes to snap some photos of the kids. Norah wanted to tell us she is “TWO!”

Jude was unbelievably excited about his new backpack (Star Wars!) but also pretty nervous about school, I think.  He was a mess of tears the night before about little things completely unrelated to school.  Then as we pulled in the parking lot on Monday, he said, “Mama, why does my tummy hurt?”  Apparently he is old enough to get nervous and unlucky enough to inherit mom’s intense brain-tummy connection.  It’s enough to make your heart sting when you hear fear in their little voices.

But the second we walked in the class, he ran to play side-by-side at the blocks table with a friend he’s been missing this summer.  And as I picked them up on Monday, he said it was a “super fun day, Mom!”

It always feels good to see your kids do scary things or hard tasks and come out feeling proud of their work and ready for the next day.  Here’s to a great school year and the thrill of new experiences!