All Three Owls!!!!

So, the moment has come... my youngest child is heading to kindergarten.  A bit surreal for sure.  It for sure feels like yesterday that I was cuddling her in the hospital just after she was born.  Most days, time is FLYING, but the day of her Open House, I just wanted time to stand still for a moment.  I wanted to take it all in.  I wanted HER to be able to take it all in.  And know that her dad and I were right there with her as she began this next part of her journey.

I was grateful for friends helping with the other two so Pete and I could go together to the school.  Open House was different this year.  Due to COVID we were let in a family at a time to see the classroom and meet her teacher.  Evelyn is so confident and brave, but I could tell she felt SO SPECIAL having her parents to herself for that big moment.

Evelyn & Mrs. Grant

Evelyn bonded with her from those first moments.  It was like a sense of calm washed over her as she talked with Mrs. Grant as if "I know I'm going to be ok, she'll take good care of me".

And that she did (looking back almost a year later from that Open House;))

Evelyn lucked out with this one.  Mrs Grant had been teaching for quite some time, had 4 boys of her own, and was a calm and loving force for Evelyn.  She took these itty bitties under her wing and led them through a crazy pandemic school year, somehow without adding worry or chaos.  Evelyn came home constantly telling us about what she learned, and more importantly, the relationships she was forming with peers and staff.  Awesome watching HER spread her wings all on her own.  No sisters guiding her through or overshadowing her.  Although shy at first, it was amazing to watch her come into her own...

First Day of School 2020

...at least for Harper and Maggie;)

 

Harper started 4th grade with Mrs Oropeza and Maggie started 1st grade with Ms Canter!

Maggie was SO excited to see Ms Canter again!!!!

Cheesin' for the camera... day one and already mask off- glasses off- HA!

 

Since the start days were staggered between the 1st-4th graders and the kindergardeners, I was able to spend a few more days with Evelyn, just the two of us: we rode bikes, baked, and played LOTS of games!!!  She was becoming the Uno master- ha!  Nothing says waiting in carline like a good card game-haha!!

And THEN, Thursday came.  All THREE together heading to school for the first time!!

Here we are..... all three.

Harper, 9, Maggie, 6, and Evelyn, 5.

Fourth, First, and Kindergarten.

Evening Star Elementary

Only time EVER they will be in the same school.  They were so excited.  Harper is usually so nervous about the first day, but this year it didn't even seem on her radar.  She was all about taking care of her sisters: wearing a friendship bracelet with Evelyn so she knew she was with her all day if she got nervous, wheeling Maggie down to her classroom.  Those girls are lucky to have such a thoughtful big sister.  And I am a lucky... and sappy mommy... as I watch my 3 babies head into school.  No idea what lies ahead for this school year, BUT they're doing it together- one day at a time;).

One day at a time.