Off to school!

Today's was Brooke's 1st day of school! It was a widely anticipated event; we have been talking about it for months, hoping to help her prepare for what the day would be like. Our preparations must have worked because she had a great day :)

Mommy & Daddy had a special gift for Brooke the night before her 1st day...

...new jammies to help her get a good night's sleep! This will definitely become a Reeder family tradition. She LOVES these jammies - she said to me before bed, "Cinderella's going to get lots of rest, too!"

 After a great night of sleep, she got to have a special breakfast: a sprinkle donut! This was maybe her 3rd donut ever and she was thrilled about it! Another fun back to school tradition :)

 Her little brother was excited for her, too. Well, as excited as one can be with a double ear infection & a 103.7 fever. (We've been to the doctor & started antibiotics at lunch today. Fingers crossed he's better by his birthday party!)

Basically the most adorable & grown-up she has ever looked. I can't even handle how much I love this girl.

The Minnie Mouse backpack is just too cute for words. She didn't want to take it off to get into the car to drive to school.

Brand new shoes for the first day! How long before these babies no longer have a speck of white on them? I give it 2 months.

 Walking in to her school like a big girl. My favorite part of this (blurry, sorry) picture is the blue Keds labels on her shoes - takes me back to 1st-4th grade!

 Hung her backpack up all by herself.

There wasn't even one second of hesitation about being in her classroom. She was ready! She started playing with the puzzles right away while I talked to her teacher for a minute.

 Then there was a very quick kiss & hug and she was off to play! Didn't look back to see me leave, didn't seem worried one bit (unlike the other screaming children all around us. Both teachers had a crier in their arms when I left, with another one trying to run out the door. You couldn't pay me enough to be a teacher of 13 2-year-olds.)



While she wasn't super forthcoming with what she did at school, I know she had a lot of fun. They played on the playground, sat on the circle to sing a song, painted (there were 4 all-red paintings in her backpack), & played with Play-Doh. If you ask her what her favorite part was, she'll tell you it was snack time - pretzels & water. Her teachers told me she was their "big helper" today (not a classroom job or anything, more like Brooke's self-appointed role.)

I'm so proud of my big girl for being so brave at school. She's the oldest one in her class, so I'm glad she was able to set a good example. And Mommy was brave, too! I had the hugest smile on my face as I drove her to school & the same smile was on my face as I drove away. I knew she'd have a fabulous time. She doesn't need me anymore...and I'm okay with that!