First day of FIrst Grade, and the end of an era

Thursday was Kate's first day of first grade. She was more than a little excited. She loves school anyway, but was so excited to have her own permanant place to sit. Brent stayed home from work that day, but let me take her, because I secretly really wanted to, and he could tell. He's so great. It was harder to see her off than I thought it would be. I think of her all day. We welcomed her home with a gift: a cat's cradle book. Sooo quintessential for school play. She has become quite the diligent student, and has worked on it for hours, some with Grandma last night (when Grandpa came to meet Reid and we did back-to-school blessings).

The other part that has me a little torn up is that this is sort of the end of the Kate & Danny era. Since Danny was old enough to walk, the two of them have spent the majority of every day together, opening restaurants from our kitchen or planning races through the hallway or planning carnivals in Kate's room. They had a great last day together before Kate started first grade, riding bikes at the park then going with a friend to another park while I stayed home with Reid. And then Thursday and Friday came. Brent was home from work yesterday so we decided to kill a couple hours at IKEA at Danny's suggestion. The saddest moment was when Danny tried to get on the little teeter totter by himself. Ohh. And then he sat at the kids dining table and had his meatballs alone. Sigh.

She picked out her outfit and hairstyle herself. She's getting so grown up!
Finding friends.
Having a moment alone.
Lined up and ready to go.
The last day before Kate headed off to school.
Danny adjusting to our new way of life while Kate is off conquering first grade! Reid couldn't have come at a better time for him.
Unwinding after the first day.
While Kate worked on Cat's Cradle, Danny excavated and assembled a dianasour. He's decided he will now be a paleontologist instead of a police man.
And of course a few baby pictures.