2nd Grade

                         

           

           

           

                           

                                               

                                               

  It's so quiet in our house right now. Granted, Arlo is currenlty taking a nap but even before I was constantly waiting to hear the clomping of high heels on our floors or the familiar sound of Cece doing gymnastics in her room. 

  Now it's just Arlo making truck noises and building ramps in his room. He has asked several times when we can go get Cece. My favorite has been "Can we just go up and check on her?"

  This year drop off went so well. For both her and I. Kindergarten was easy but you could see the apprehension in her face and her body langauge. First grade she had a tight grip on my shirt and had whispered to me that she didn't want to stay. She obviously did. Second grade, she put her bag in her locker, demanded several pictures with both my camera and phone, in front of her desk and locker. I obliged. Then we gave her a kiss and said our good-byes. 

  I felt good and I could feel she was confident. I'm sure everyone who has social media and has friends with school age children are being bombarded with back to school pictures this week. I never got it, the need to document such a typical thing in a child's life. I get it now, for two reasons. One, I would like to note that we survived the summer. Second, the difference between one year and the next is astonishing to me. I guess when you see your child everyday you don't notice the differences that happen to their body and face throughout the year, until you see it side by side. To me sometimes, Cece still looks like her 3 year old preschool pictures. Chubby cheecks, rounded legs and arms and of course the absence of freckles. She just started getting those last year. I think they are my favorite addition. 

  Now, she has muscle tone in her arms and legs. She still has a little fluff in her face but you can see the shape her face will grow into and it's interesting to see. Her hair has continued to add more and more baby hairs as she has grown. I doubt it will ever be as thick as mine but there is always  new growth. This is her first year with short hair in about 4 years. I can see why Nate always argued with cutting it, she looks to grown up. 

  Unfortunately, the house will be even more quiet come next Monday when Arlo begins 1/2 day preschool. Let's just say I doubt drop off will go as smoothly as today's went. However, that will only last a few weeks and then soon baby boy will join us and I will have something to keep my mind off the fact that the days may be long but the years are short. At least I know I have him for at least 5 years until he leaves me too.

 Good luck this year Cece! We love you!