Austin's Big 1st Day...

...of Preschool! I just can't believe it!


In my mind he should still look like this.

or this...

or even this...

But instead, I am having to come to grips that my sweet little boy is growing up. He has been so excited for the 1st day of school for weeks now and it was so fun for him to pick out his new Spider man backpack and for him to ask EVERY DAY if it was the day he gets to start school. (He even had a hard time going to sleep the night before!) So, we brought the whole family up to his new school to get some pictures and to drop him off for the 1st time.

Sweet brother and sis pic! Audrey didn't quite get that Austin was going to school and she wasn't, but she was excited all the same to be a part of the process. I can't believe that we will be doing the same thing next year with her!

All three kiddos before we marched into the school.

Daddy giving Austin his last pep talk for the day as they walk into the school.

Austin with one of his new teachers, Ms. Glory.

Austin walked right on in the classroom and began exploring all the toy options. Here he is with one of his buds, Hudson. We are so excited that he gets to be in a class with such a fun friend!

Austin posing with Daddy...

...and with Mommy. We said our goodbyes and then we left our boy for 5 hours. What next? I didn't even think what we would do past the drop off! It was SO different in our house without Austin. All I kept thinking was how QUIET it was with just the girls. We sat on our living room floor for almost 45 minutes and read books and played dolls! I have NEVER been able to sit in one spot for that long and play! Austin is a very busy and active boy. He brings us so much joy and laughter, but also a lot of noise from train and car sounds to running and playing screams. So, all three of us girls didn't know quite what to think about the quiet and calm day. I will take it though! It is going to be a great year of me being able to focus a lot of attention on my two sweet girls while A-Town is having a blast a school 10 hours a week. Going from 3 to 2 kiddos makes such a big difference! I might even be able to go shopping more often! ;) So, when I picked Austin up I asked one of his teacher's how he did and she said great except that he didn't eat or sleep during nap time. Typical Austin. He is too busy to eat and sleeping with 12 other kiddos in a room is going to be quite the adjustment for him. When we got into the car I questioned him all about the day and it sounded like he had a very fun day with new toys and friends. The one thing he said that absolutely melted my heart was, "Mommy, I missed you." I mean - talk about your heart swelling up with emotion at those precious words!

Austin,

We are so very proud of you and how big you are getting! We love how excited you are about beginning a new chapter in your life and we can't wait to see all you learn and experience this year! Remember to 1. Love Jesus 2. Work Hard 3. Be Respectful 4. Be a Leader and 5. HAVE FUN! We love you!

Love,

Mommy and Daddy