To all the mommies in the world...

Yesterday I took my oldest girl to school for the first time.  She wore an amazingly fun outfit that she picked out.  She carried her brand new Littlest Pet Shop backpack and Scooby Doo Mystery Machine lunchbox with pride and excitement.  She had no reservations about starting school.  She woke up pumped and ready to go at 6:30. She asked to leave about fifteen times between 7:00 and 7:30.  She chose to ride with Daddy in his cool work truck because, and I am guessing here, he drives a little faster than Mommy, and yes we were those parents who both went to drop her off because even though she held zero reservations about the whole event, we were both a little nervous about leaving our little one at school for the day.  Joanna and I followed in my car praying the whole way. 

I expected to cry, to be sad, to miss my Lily...but I didn't feel any of the expected emotions.  Her excitement was infectious and all I felt was joy for her optimism and expectant hope of how amazing the next phase in her little life would be.  She is my firecracker, ready to take on the world.

The above picture is my new favorite...As all moms do, I wanted to have the morning-of-the-first-day-of-school picture, prior to recess and dust and sweaty feet that have grown accustom to running in flip flops longing to be free from the confines of hot socks and tennis-shoes.  I asked Lily to pause in her excitement for a quick snap shot.  She immediately smiled, struck the above pose, and yelled excitedly, "I can't wait to start kindergarten!"  This little boy and what I can only assume was his brother, both upper elementary aged.  Were walking by and smiled at my daughter's joyous declaration.  I love my Lily.  She is amazing and I will never forget how excited she was.