Julia's First Day of School

Julia finally had her first day of school today!  We switched her to a Monday/Wednesday program, but last Monday was Labor Day and then Wednesday she was recovering from a stomach bug.  So on Thursday once she felt better, we created a post-it note count down of days to build up some anticipation and she finally got to peel off the last sticky note today!

Jarret stayed home long enough to attend the drop-off with us.  We were both amazed at her bravery!!! For the past two years, we watched Julia approach the drop-off with tears, fearfulness, shyness, and clinging to us (even though she always ended up having a great time, but still...no parents wants to watch their child go through that.)  This morning instead we watched our beautiful, maturing 3-year-old daughter walk in with smiles and boldness this morning.  

Daddy walking his kiddos into school.
Julia loves to ask to ride "the special way" on the stroller.

She wanted to only make silly faces, but when I kept
telling her "Don't you smile at me!" then she finally complied.

I was trying to give instructions to Julia to smile, and
instead it resulted in a goofy picture of me.

It seemed like her reaction was, "O.K. I'll take
a picture with you people, but WHO are you again?!"
I also love that out of all the backgrounds we could have taken
this picture in front of, we managed to take their picture with
the toilet behind them.  Great scenery.

Her new teachers for the year, Ms. Jan and Ms. Melissa!

She gave us joyful hugs and kisses bye, and then had no concern about walking away from us.  THESE are the years I want to savor!  What a wonderful balance and blessing of a child who still enjoys and needs the bear hugs and kisses from mommy and daddy, yet enters school with boldness and excitement.  What a great start to the school year!!!