I’m sitting in a quiet office while my big three get used to their new classes on the first day of school and Ervin sleeps or plays with his grandpa. He stayed at their house last night so he wouldn’t have to take the big kids to school and then come back home with me. He’s pretty excited about preschool, but it doesn’t start for a week and a half, and I don’t think that would’ve been a popular turn of events.

I got the big kids ready this morning, playing requested Mika and serving frozen gluten free cinnamon waffles and bacon and requesting pictures (of course).

We piled in the car. Everyone was excited and only Henry admitted to being nervous about fourth grade. I told them that I would be getting hugs and kisses in the van before I walked them in, in case anybody wanted to blow me off inside the gym where they wait with their classes.

I gave Henry a tight squeeze and kiss on the cheek and told him that he was going to have a great year in fourth grade.

I hugged Ivy next, and had to eventually peel her off of me.

Essie giggled as a I gave her little first grade cheek kisses over and over and over.

We walked into the building, holding hands in a line. As I suspected, Henry saw his best friends up at the top of the bleachers and walked off without looking back.

Ivy walked to the first graders with me and hung back, holding my hand, until she also saw her best friends and went to them.

Essie stood by me, holding tight, for a few minutes, smiling at her friends but not budging, until I asked her if she’d sit by the new girl that was alone behind everyone else. A couple of other girls had the same idea, and they all piled in the row.

It was me that lagged behind, catching Essie’s attention to say goodbye (again) before walking out of the gym and heading home.

It’s going to be a good year.