The More Things Change...

Caitlynne remembered we had taken this photo on her first day of Kindergarten...

Navy Elementary School, September 2004

And wanted to take another in the same location for her first day of high school...

Oakton High School, September 2013

New table, new chairs, new decor but the same old ugly wall paper! Ha! At the rate Mimmo and Dan are progressing with our lower level, I only have another three or four weeks (fingers crossed) to bear the sight of that *lovely* wallpaper before it is removed and sent to wallpaper heaven. I am planning on painting the breakfast nook and the kitchen a creamy white  - a huge change from the busyness of this wallpaper. 

Caitlynne's bus picks her up at 6.30 am and, since Christopher doesn't leave until 7.30 am, he was still sound asleep when the photos above were taken. Then, I forgot to take any of him before he left for school (bad mom!) so maybe we will take "third day of school" photos for me to post...

Both kids had great "first days" and both think that they will do well this year - academically and socially. We had a few hiccups getting Christopher placed into the appropriate classes (more on that for my Bangkok/ISB friends...) but everything was finally resolved and he is where he should be.

I am always amazed at how resilient these two kiddos are...I was so worried about them meeting friends, finding their classes, opening their lockers, etc. and they did just great. At the bus stop, Christopher saw three 8th grade boys who live in our neighborhood, two of whom he had already met at a local basketball camp that he attended over the summer. Caitlynne has a few friends in the neighborhood that she has remained in touch with over the years and they wait at the bus stop and then sit on the bus together. All is good.

Have a great Wednesday!