A morning to melt the hardest heart

Here he is, after three years of preschool. After so many years of watching and longing. It's finally his turn.

In honor of his special day, the iron-clad rules of school-bus-line etiquette are set aside. Big brother gives up the alpha male position of first in line. Notice how they all go down in height? It's the pecking order.

There he is, shepherding the little guy into a new phase of life. (with a little help from nanny Jill)


I actually, ahem, got a little choked up at this point; watching a kind, supportive brother doing his job.


If you can't tell from his face, this guy is incandescent with joy. sniff.

Going, going, gone!

This has been a hard summer for me, very intense. I didn't realize how hard it was until I noticed all the things I usually love to do that I haven't done. My garden is sickly and anemic looking; I'm buying jam instead of canning the fruit from my yard. I've even (don't tell anyone) let fruit go bad 'accidentally' that people have passed to me so I won't have to can it. I just haven't been up to it. School starting this year has been like the rainbow after the flood, manna from heaven, a razor after weeks worth of growth on my legs! I've created a photo series to document the release of my soul from its shackles. I've named it "Going, going, GONE!" Enjoy.



They line up.

Jill watches to ensure no cutting in line.

Jill noses Elizabeth to say, "Hey, quit crowding Emma, give her some space!"

Almost there...almost there...

I don't know this girl, she doesn't hang with our crowd, that's why she's last in line.

Any more? Nope? Then.......
We're outta here!

To all you mothers who spent today wiping your eyes, sniffing sentimentally, and mourning that your house is empty....I'm blowing a big raspberry at you right now PBThthth!