Back to School 2016-17

Back To School 2015

And, just like that, they're both back in school. Long lazy poolside summer days have already been swapped out for laying out school clothes, packing lunches, homework and afterschool activities. (Not that that's all bad, because there's a certain happiness that comes from the return of our regular routine.) 

Josephine, Age 8, Grade 3, Hyde Park School 

Beatrice, Age 4, Pre-Primary, Xavier Montessori Lab School 

Here are lots of photos from our back-to-school morning photo shoots that started way back when we were just Three Schneiders on Fairfield Avenue in front of the "peace tree" that no longer exists.  The girls are both REALLY excited to be back in school. It's been a huge change but a super smooth transition for Josie - one that makes us feel a little silly about how much time we spent making that decision in the first place. Beatrice was really eager to return today since Josie started a week before her and she's really happy to be "a four" this year instead of a "new three."

Here they are in all their back-to-school bliss.

 These are some scenes from Josie's first day, when we had a little extra time with Bea. It was our last "mama morning" before she started school this week.

Mama (Only) Morning: Back to School Edition

And they're off! I'll save the insane swarm of emotions we're feeling for another post and focus instead on the awesomeness that is these two sweeties heading off to school together.  It is such an enormous blessing to be their parents.

Josephine is entering her 2nd year in the 6-9 montessori classroom. In other words, she's a second grader (which is TOTALLY insane to me as a former 2nd grade teacher.)

Beatrice (whose personality is summed up perfectly here) will enter her first year in the ages 3-6 montessori cycle. YAY BEBA!

We're all SUPER excited for Beatrice to be joining the fun of full-time montessori preschool! Josie has been really sweet coaching her through everything to expect.

So, off we walked to school. With two little girls who woke up, picked out their own clothes, packed their own lunches and literally skipped off to school together.

(Then off walked home two emotional parents trying hard to believe they are no longer the parents of infants and toddlers but instead the parents of two school-aged children. But, like I said, this post isn't about that - says the mama typing from a really, really quiet house.)