Back to School

After a very fun, very long summer, today was back to school for two of the three kids (Landon starts back tomorrow). Harper started third grade and Dakota began first. Dakota was super excited while Harper was just a bit less enthusiastic and would rather spend his hours at home playing. When he came downstairs this morning he looked pretty gloomy so I tried to pump him up a little. He said "Well, I'm sure you're happy because you get to stay home!" I assured him that while I do like being home I'd rather it be summer vacation because I don't do anything fun without them around. I reminded him that I took care of housework and errands while he was gone and that meant he didn't have to run out to the stores with me; that made him feel better and his mood got better from there. 

We're trying something new this year in terms of getting moving in the morning. It's been pretty standard that they watch a show while they eat their breakfast each morning but this year we're cutting out the early morning t.v. and opting for reading, building or other play before heading to the bus. Watching a show in the morning is almost always a fight because each kid wants to choose the program and it also becomes an issue when it's time to turn it off and get ready to go, so for now, no Netflix before school. 

Both kids have alarms and both are set to ring at 7 a.m. The bus picks up around 8:15 or so which gives them plenty of time to eat and take care of all their morning to do's (brush teeth, get dressed, make bed, put away night clothes, work on tying their shoes etc.). As we get into a consistent schedule I'd like the kids to also help with making their breakfast and lunch but for now I'll do it. 

Of course we needed a little extra time this morning to get first day photo's! (Harper had a few water droplets on his shirt from helping pull up the trash cans, I swear he wasn't a mess!) 

Harper went all out on the Harry Potter stuff this year. His backpack and lunchbox are both Harry Potter and his Ravenclaw shirt too! We're currently reading the 4th book together. Dakota chose a cute little panda backpack for this year and a Barbie lunchbox. 

As I suspected, both kids had great first days back at school and were very happy when they got off the bus. They told me a little about their teachers and which friends were in their classes and then they both needed some downtime so they played some games on their iPads. 

We've got back to school night this Thursday night and I guess from there we'll be off and running. Fingers crossed for a smooth year for everyone!