First Day of School (one week later)

The first day of school for us was last week on Thursday.

Thus begins what I'm calling

"The Golden Year".

This is the year, the magical, once-in-a-life-time year in which all of my children are at the same school for the same amount of time for the complete school day. Vastly different from two years ago, when between Jed's preschool, Henry's SDC kindergarten, and the twins in fourth grade, I was going between three schools three times a week, and two schools two times a week. Last year we were a step closer when all of the kids were attending La Madera, but with Jed in "late bird" kindergarten I still had four different drop-off and pick-up times throughout the day. Next year Jack and Harriet will be moving on to Serrano Middle School, with a completely new set of start times and schedules.

But this, the 2009 - 2010 Saddleback Valley Unified School District school year, finds Jed in first grade, Henry a year ahead in second grade, and the twins ruling the school in sixth grade at our wonderful local elementary school, La Madera.

This day has been a long time coming, so lets get to it!

I'm happy to report that all of the kids were excited to get back to school and to their friends, and that everyone was up easily on time (even more easy since this year, due to budget cuts and subsequent transportation rearrangments, the start time of school was moved 20 minutes later to 8:50 a.m.) dressed, fed and ready to head out the door well ahead of schedule. This year I have VOWED that we will walk to school on every day weather permitting, and as a bonus, be on time!

So far so good.

on the walk to school:

so much easier to get a photo from the back while walking

"Ladies and Gentlemen.....The Richardsons!!"

Obligatory, traditional first-day-of-school photo

in front of La Madera's front sign

(At this point Harriet and Jack take off for the opposite

side of the school to their classroom - I stick with the boys)

Jed with some of his crew -

he's in a first grade class with most all of his buddies from

kindergarten- which we are certain is due to an appeal

from us moms to their kindergarten teacher who formed

the first grade classes. We didn't so much want all of our

kids to be together again this year as we wanted our group

of moms to be "in the same class" again this year.

little boys + big backpacks

Henry is in second grade! Here is his teacher introducing

herself to her eager group of students gathered outside her

door on the first day.

saying hello to Henry, as she did to each individual child

Kids giving the final wave to parents before heading inside -

look at that joy in Henry's face!

It's going to be a great year.