Memories for a lifetime.

About this time a year ago, I posted this blog. Aubrey made it through her first year and this morning started her first day of 1st grade, but today was also Austin's first day of school. There wasn't much sleep last night, it seemed that I was awake every 15 minutes, stirring and tossing, waking Sarah up and annoying her to no end. I think we were both afraid we would wake up late. About 10 'til 6 I got out of bed before the alarma and let the dogs out for their breakfast and made my way to the kitchen. I whipped up some scrambled eggs and sausage while Sarah stirred them from bed. Breakfast was ready and the kids sat down to fill their bellies before the big day. In an email to my parents this morning Sarah said:

"The kids were so excited this morning to wake-up and put on their "first day of school" outfits.  Mike made sausage and eggs and Austin said "I better not get this food on my new clothes." Aubrey spent the morning explaining to him how much fun his teacher was going to be and he said "I hope that I have a really good first day of school."  Cross your fingers!!!

Have a great day and hope to see you both soon!

SER"

The day had started off great. Sarah took some pictures for memories



We all told Sarah goodbye and went out the back door to the truck to go to school. Austin was all smiles and excited about his first day of school. He packed his Spiderman activity book "Just in case I need something to keep me busy." We arrived at school and went in to great the teachers and settle in to class.

As with last year, Aubrey was right at home, quickly finding her seat and dismissing me so she could get prepared to learn. Austin and I walked over to his class where he was also the first student. He greeted his teacher with a smile and few words as she presented him with his name tag and an apple she told him was for me. He looked up and started to hand it to me when I asked him "Would you like to hang on to it and we'll eat it after school and you can tell me all about your first day?" Again, not many words, just a nod of his head and he placed the apple in his backpack.

We visited the school nurse to give her all of his shot information and went back to his classroom. Other kids had arrived and the teacher had them all sitting on the circle rug. His ear to ear grin as he walked in drew one out from the teacher and the rest of the class as they all said hello and he coyly waved to everyone. He pulled up a seat on the carpet and looked back at me like it was the best day of his life.

I stood there for a minute listening to the story the teacher was telling and as I was ready to slip out of the door unnoticed he stood up, ran over and gave me a hug and said "I love you Daddy."

Another day's memories that can never be duplicated, another young mind eager and fresh entering the education system. Thank you very much Sarah for being with us this morning and being a part of it, capturing the smiles on their faces for us to share and for them to always remember and regaurd as a big day in their lives.