The kids didn't have to go back to school until after Labor Day weekend.
That gave us one last opportunity for some summer-like fun.
We headed to a beach for the day.
As you can see, the kids did not wait to get in the water.
Ralph was hesitant.
He's not as adventurous in his old age of 3.
After dipping a toe in, he couldn't resist and hyper-puppied himself right in.
I just had to put this here because it's just so....Ralph.
Taking pictures of a black lab is hard. The shadows on the black fur tend to wash out any features.
This one has the sun shining on his face.
Now I can see why everyone tells him how handsome he is.
It must be going to his head.
The kids were in the water a pretty long time.
Their friends joined them for a bit, but I don't think they lasted nearly half as long as our cold-blooded kids.
Katie was very proud of her seaweed accessory.
The kids even outlasted the old the puddle jumper himself.
They finally dragged themselves out of the water to eat some lunch and play some games.
The Tonka truck remained a staple of entertainment for Mikey before back-to-school.
The first day of school came and brought with it smoke from wildfires.
The sun turned a very creepy red color.
And ash floated down from the sky to cover everything.
There were air quality warnings in place, but that didn't stop school from happening.
Mikey was ready!
This wasn't Katie's official first day of school.
On this day, only 6th graders were at the school to get their bearings, meet their teachers, play with their lockers and get used to being in middle school.
The middle school is walkable from our house.
So, we walked the big kids to school before heading to the bus stop for Mikey.
Mikey tried to recapture the zen of summer, but then the bus came.
Okay. Yes. I am THAT mom.
I rushed up to the school to walk him to his class the first day.
I was thinking he might be nervous being at a new school this year.
I know I was nervous and felt really out of place not knowing anyone.
By the time we made it to the classroom, I put on a brave face and kissed and hugged him goodbye.
Judging from the picture below, I think he was ready to cast spells at his classmates.
Or, he was excited.
I'm not sure.
Ralph had his own "First Day of School" photo session....
That next day was the OFFICIAL OFFICIAL first day of school for Katie.
So, we redid the first day photo shoot and included Katie and Ralph this time.
There she goes!
Off to 6th grade and middle school.
Sigh.
September not only signals the start of school, but also the start of soccer season.
Well, soccer games anyways.
They start practicing in August.
This year, I decided not to step up and coach or co-coach Mikey's team.
Although I did sit through all his practies anyways.
Hmmm.
He seemed to have a good time.
Katie did not enjoy having to go to all the games.
Here she is hiding under my coat and playing her Nintendo DS.
Lonely Mikey in goal.
Out on the field.
The start of school brought with it something Mikey didn't have to do alllll last year.....
Homework.
He was pissed.
He does come up with creative word problems though.
Katie walks to school with some friends 2 to 3 times a week, but some mornings she's on her own.
Towards the end of the month, Mikey's school had a Back to School Picnic.
It was pretty fun.
They had food trucks and activities/games for the kids.
Mikey had a good time showing off his new school to us and saying hi to new (and some old) friends.
Two new schools, new grades, new teachers, new people to meet and new expectations.
A lot of new.
Even for me.
I became co-president of the middle school PTSA and over the year I'll slowly get more involved with Mikey's school as well.
September left us all exhausted.
