a new year

All Wisconsin kids start school today (DPI mandates that no school may begin instruction before September 1st). Well, there's no such thing as "all." For example, although Snowdrop and Sandpiper do begin their new academic year today, Sparrow has to wait. His kindergarten class has a staggered first day and his happens to fall on... tomorrow!

Tradition has it that I show up at the young family's house to take that first school day photo. Not that the parents aren't capable of snapping a picture of the kids, but it is something that I love doing and in this as in so many other ways they indulge me.

To meet this (self-imposed) obligation, I am up at sunrise. School starts at 7:40, so I must be on the road by 7 to get to their house, or else!

Which means I have to do the animals on the early side. But oh, how lovely it is here, at the farmette just at sunrise!

When I arrive at the young family's home, I see a semi-excited Sparrow. Though it's not his first day, still, there is a buzz in the air and he is feeling it -- the whole "new school year" thing that perhaps affects him most of all, since he'll be switching schools and entering an entirely new learning environment.

Okay big girl and little guy -- let's get those first day pictures taken!

The Third grader (with an extra large backpack this year):

The Toddler Two boy (with a loaded backpack as well):

And now one parent takes Sandpiper to school, I take Snowdrop to school, and one parent stays home with Sparrow. I tell you, mornings are complicated! But, mommy has gotten those packs packed and lunches and snacks appropriately selected and everyone is set to plunge into a new year!

Me, I return to the farmhouse. We're having one last super hot day today and so any ambitious outdoor movement should take place early. Meaning now!

The two of us bike over to the park and walk our usual walk. It's beautiful out there! Fields of goldenrod against a very pretty sky.

And only after we're done with our walk and our bike ride do we sit down to breakfast. So long as we're returning to a scheduled existence, I may as well return to the old reliable oatmeal.

Here's another return to an old normal: I bake blueberry muffins for the kids.

Because they do believe they are the best muffins in the world. I love their faith in what I do in the farmhouse kitchen. It makes me feel like I'm doing my grandmother job well.

In the afternoon I pick up Snowdrop. On nearly all school days, I'll be picking up both her and her kindergarten brother, but today it's just her and so I get to gently give her a chance to tell stories from her day.

(picking tomatoes from a volunteer tomato plant by the path)

All seems okay so far for all five of my grandkids. Not unexpected, but still -- always a relief to see the kids retain their enthusiasm for school. 

(Later, at the drop off point where her youngest brother still goes to school)

Evening. Leftovers, and calm. And a great big smile.