First Day of School!

Wednesday was our first day of school, and the first day all four of my kids were in the back-to-school pictures! Charlie started preschool (sniff sniff) so I am officially responsible for the education of four whole human beings on a daily basis. Thank God for grace, ya know?

The day before our first day, we went to a big indoor bounce place with three of our favorite Rochester families for a Bounce Back to Homeschool party. (You see what I did there? Clever, I know.) All four of our families are doing Classical Conversations together this Fall, so we had lots of fun hanging out and chatting and exchanging prayer requests for the year while the kids ran around like maniacs. While all the other kids there bounced away, we forced them to stand in front of an ugly wall and have back to school pics taken. They were super excited about this.

Preschool pals Charlie & Maryn.

Here's hoping that God has already picked out some ultra petite little girls somewhere on the planet for Sam and Max to marry... the 2nd grade chicas are towering over them. Way to go, Smith genes.

Tales of a Fourth Grade something. She is as sweet as she looks, and so are her friends.

Greg and I started a tradition of going out to breakfast as a family on Chloe's first day of Kindergarten. I LOVE this tradition. The kids look forward to it every year, and it really is a great way to start our first day. Chocolate chip pancakes and icy cups of apple juice and lots of fresh hot coffee just seem to have a way of putting everyone in a good mood. It works for us. Here we are on the porch of the Chit Chat Cafe, our favorite breakfast spot in all of Rochester.

Another fun little first-day tradition we have is fresh school supplies. This was the first year that the kids remembered and anticipated them without any reminders from Mom. Max came running down the stairs in his PJs to check out the rad new second grade supplies waiting for him.

"You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast because they trust in You."

Isaiah 26:3

Halfway to Grown

Our Chloe turned double digits in July. She chose a baking theme for her party this year in homage to one of her favorite hobbies. The girls decorated chef hats and aprons upon arrival...

Cate is one of our sweet new friends. About fifteen minutes into the party I texted her mom and asked, "Who needs party games when Cate's in attendance?" It's pretty hard not to love this girl...

Six little bakers, ready to decorate cupcakes, make cutouts, and dip strawberries into chocolate.

Bakers Relay! Who knew how much fun smashing eggs on the driveway would be? Side note: the point was not to smash the eggs on the driveway, but as soon as the girls discovered the joy of it, my nice black driveway was covered in egg yolks. 

Cora kept her eye on the finish line...

Chloe lost her hat, but not her concentration. That's my girl.

Ten candles. What a joy and privilege to have had ten healthy, happy years with our Chloe.

Chloe, you are funny, bright, imaginative, and sweet-spirited. 

You bring great joy to our family through your selflessness, your encouragement, your enduring kindness.

I have cherished each moment of being your mother.

 There is just something lovely about you.

"Something in the way she moves, or looks my way, or calls my name

that seems to leave this troubled world behind.

And if I'm feeling down and blue or troubled by some foolish game,

she always seems to make me change my mind.

And I feel fine anytime she's around me now, she's around me now almost about all the time.

And if I'm well you can tell she's been with me now.

She's been with me now quite a long, long time and I feel fine."

-James Taylor