Today went much better and much worse than expected.

First the good bits…After we took David to school, we drove to Nathaniel’s school and he immediately started playing with all the toys.

Made noises.

Showed them to us.

When it came time to go, we said bye and he got really upset. But within seconds, it was clear that he thought he had to leave and was upset at that. Once he figured out it was us leaving but not him, he was totally fine. And when we came back to pick him up 3+ hours later he was playing merrily and didn’t even seem super-excited to see us.

All in all, it was perfect. and I am so so so deeply thankful.

But work went considerably worse than expected. It wore me down emotionally and psychologically and physically. I ended up going to work last minute and then driving home right at bed time. So I only got this one photo of David.

who is still loving school by the way (thankfully!!) and I am completely wiped. I didn’t get to read to David today (first time this year) and I might not get to do art either. I did exercise (albeit some of it with the laptop in my hand) and I did manage a quick sketch but today was full and overwhelming. Here’s to a better tomorrow.

Three Things I’m Grateful For:
1. I am grateful that David still loves his school.
2. I am grateful that Nathaniel loved school too. He was so awesome about it.
3. I am grateful that Jake was totally on the ball and covered for me and made me feel 100% worry-less when I had to just drive to work out of the blue.

Three Things David’s Grateful For:
1. I am grateful that I read Calvin and Hobbes. * {his pick for the journal}
2. I am grateful that i made two new friends at school.
3. I am grateful that I had a great science and music class.

Well today was David’s first day of first grade. Here he is outside our house.

My big boy. He usually has a uniform but this week is not.

He was great. Once he walked in he sat down right away.

and started to color his name tag.

Nathaniel desperately wanted to color, too. But, of course, that was there for another boy.

when we left, David was great but Nathaniel cried big, huge tears. Didn’t want to leave David behind and he asked about David all day. When we got in the car to get him (today was a short day for David, just until noon.) he kept saying David’s name. When he saw David, his whole face lit up.

It was a stressful day for me so the kids just played once they were both home. David entertained himself and Nathaniel.

Who was so so happy to have his brother back.

Tomorrow promises to be even more stressful. David has a full day, Nathaniel starts his first day (which I cannot even imagine after the way he felt about David today) and I have a big day at work. So stressful all around. But it will come and it will go. And it will be ok.

The good news is David had a great day and loves loves his new school.

I am super-wiped as I woke up at 5:45 to exercise this morning. And I’ve been on emotionally and physically and mentally all day. So the plans tonight are to do some art if I can and then just lie on the couch and watch TV until it’s bedtime. Oh and some journaling.

Three Things I’m Grateful For:
1. I am grateful that David loves his school. yey!
2. I am grateful that Jake was by my side the whole time. I really need him this week and he’s coming through for me again and again.
3. I am grateful that I finished so many todo lists that I don’t stress about anything else today.

Three Things David’s Grateful For:
1. I am grateful that it was the first day of first grade! * {his pick for the journal}
2. I am grateful that i got some candy at school (and a pencil).
3. I am grateful that my little brother missed me today.

Quiet day here today. The morning started with exercise and then a family breakfast to celebrate Daddy’s birthday! And then we all took some quiet time and after Nathaniel did not take a nap, we went out to lunch to one of our favorite restaurants. I brought my camera along and snapped this of Nathaniel coloring.

And one of the birthday boy. The love of my life.

Nathaniel wasn’t cooperating.

I completely forgot to take a photo of the candle cause I was too busy singing. Our food was delicious. We then came home and I suddenly felt overwhelmingly tired so dozed on and off on the couch while the little boy played.

and the big boy, too.

here’s his creation.

Alas, tomorrow is the first day of school for David. New school. Wednesday is first day of school for Nathaniel and a big day for me at work. The week I’ve been dreading is finally here. But it’s going to be ok. I will make it through. Hopefully with flying colors.

Three Things I’m Grateful For:
1. I am grateful for this long weekend. I think it was what I needed to feel calmer for this upcoming week. Also to remember that by Friday night this week will be over and I will officially be in the middle of Fall schedule.
2. I am grateful that my sweet, awesome, amazing husband was born. I love love love love love him to bit. Happy birthday my amazing husband!
3. I am grateful that I had a long and wonderful Skype chat with my sister. Love you, Yona.

Three Things David’s Grateful For:
1. I am grateful that I had some ice cream! * {his pick for the journal}
2. I am grateful that tomorrow is the first day of first grade.
3. I am grateful that it was Daddy’s birthday.

Another great and quiet day filled with art and family time. Jake went to work early in the morning while I exercised and then when he came back we took family shots.

I love and adore these photos.

even the blurrier ones.

or where the kids aren’t looking at the camera.

or make a super-bored face.

but, of course, my favorite is tickle time!

it is the very very best.

David got to watch a little TV.

Nathaniel went shopping with Daddy and came back with a smile.

my very favorite kind.

I’ve done a lot of todo list items this week and weekend. I feel close to caught up. I still have a few items on my list but I feel more caught up than usual. Tomorrow I have two classes starting up and it’s Jake’s birthday and the very last day of our summer.

Tonight, we play games for family night!

Three Things I’m Grateful For:
1. I am grateful for the piece of art I made today, it’s an all-time favorite.
2. I am grateful that we got more salads and fruit.
3. I am grateful that this summer was very memorable and wonderful for me.

Three Things David’s Grateful For:
1. I am grateful that we’re going to play Gobblet! * {his pick for the journal}
2. I am grateful that I watched Looney Tunes.
3. I am grateful that I played on the computer.