The Life and Times of the Arning Bros.: Off to School!

Can anyone tell me where summer went? I don't think it could have gone by any faster, yet, here we are, September 6, the first day of school for the Arning Bros.

This year, Charlie is in the 3-day/3-year old program and goes to preschool on Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays from 9a-1p. Chase goes to a different school and is in a "Mom's Morning Out" program on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 9a-1p. (He isn't old enough to go to preschool, but he is ready for a program of some kind, so this was our best option.)

I wasn't worried about Charlie at all. I knew he would have a great first day of school. I figured he might miss us a little bit (Mrs. Jacobson said he asked for me only once), but I was confident he would love his classroom and his teacher.

I was, however, worried about Chase. He's never really done anything like this, except maybe child care at church and yoga. Plus, we didn't get a chance to go to the open house because we were at the beach, so I was taking him to school, sight unseen, without ever having met any of his teachers. (Granted, I'd toured the school and met the teachers, but Chase had not.) So, I'm sure you can understand why I was nervous.

Surprisingly, Chase was not in the least bit bothered about anything. He stayed by us until we said it was time to for us to leave, but then he started playing with toys and did not care one bit that we had to go. Not one single tear from Chase! What a big boy! The teacher said he did not get upset or sad the entire day except at the very end of school when other moms started picking up their kids. When I arrived, he was so excited to see me, though. It was so sweet and made my heart jump a beat. What a cutie!

So, that's that. My boys are getting so big and are both so independent. I could not be more proud!

But, is it ok to wish they'd miss me just a little bit more?

Here are some photos from our first day of school.

Getting ready to head to school. Chase follows in big brother's footsteps.

This is Charlie's best attempt at a smile.

Big boy!

We dropped Chase off first. Doesn't he look so confident?

Chase decided to take Bunny to school. I think Bunny was a big help.

Isn't he adorable?

Why is Dad in every picture? I need to teach him how to use my camera!

Charlie had fun at Chase's school, too!
(A little too much fun. I had to follow behind him, picking up all of the toys he drug out.)

This is Charlie's school. Charlie was the special helper on the first day.
I think it's because he's super smart and sweet, but it might also be because his last name starts with "A."

So festive!

This is how Charlie will "Check In" every day. He puts his apple on the fence.

Charlie's basket.

He found a flat bed truck right away. That's all he's talked about since.

Mrs. Jacobson explains that we do not play with trucks when you first arrive at school.
First, you must put your backpack away, then you sit down at the table for an activity.
Trucks come later.
(Oh, boy. She has no idea who she's dealing with here.)