Back to School...in the "New Normal"

The much awaited return to school was a staggered start. Cressey (JK) went for a half day on Thursday, August 13th, and then HG (6th grade) went for her half day on Friday, August 14th. Then, on Monday the 17th, they BOTH WENT FOR THE WHOLE DAY. 

They have to wear their masks all day, although they are given lots of outside breaks for snack, recess, lunch, etc., but understandably, that's been the hardest adjustment. It was all fun and new the first few days, but that excitement wore off quickly! All in all, they are taking it in stride, are both so happy to be back at their school, and are loving their classes and teachers. We've seen a big bump in responsibility and ownership of work by Helen Grace so far. Can't wait to see how much she'll grow this year! Now if we can just get Cressey to stop napping at school so that she'll go to bed without a fight before 10 p.m.!

HG wanted to wake up Cressey on her first morning of school

Cressey was NOT interested in taking pics

But a sister cuddle made it all better

When we were school shoe shopping, Cressey just had to have this purple bow. But then on the first day of school, she insisted on pigtails AND the one bow. We made it work.

Happy girl after her first day!

HG and I had Chickfila waiting for her in the car

Now it's HG's turn!

And this 2010 memory popped up on Facebook a few minutes after I watched my 6th grader walk into the last first day of lower school. 

Monday brought their first full day, and Cressey was more willing to participate in pics.

And by 8:05 a.m. when the sounds of the Today Show, and not Disney, were filling the quiet house...