First Day of School

Hannah and Emily began their new school year today: Hannah in 4th grade and Emily in 3rd. They left today with bags loaded down with stuff, new shoes on their feet, and a bit of trepidation in their hearts.

A side story: I watched Emily from the side while she took the time to fix her hair (I was standing at the bottom of the steps; she was in the bathroom at the top of the steps). I watched her as she spritzed and brushed and I could tell that she was liking what she was seeing in the mirror. Then she turned around and I saw that she had slicked her bangs to the side. I didn't know what to say. I knew she liked her hair that way, but I was afraid that she would get made fun of. Do I say something? I didn't for a while. Right before I took the picture, I asked her if she wanted to keep her bangs like that and she said yes, she likes them that way. So, nothing more was said, and I snapped her picture. Sometimes it's sooooo hard for me to let her be her own person...



But she is who she is and Hannah is who she is and I love them both so much. Hopefully they will both find joy and happiness this school year.