School starts...finally!

Today was the much anticipated start of school. The weather was perfect, and the girls were excited to see their friends and new teachers. They both had their hearts set on "fancy" hair, hence the wavy braids on Caroline and the poofy bob on Margaret. Everything seemed to go smoothly at school--and they were still full of energy after getting home. Margaret's highlight of the day was getting her "planner." This is a big deal in 3rd grade, where the kids are responsible for writing down all their own homework and we parents sign off on it each night. Caroline's highlight was earning two "lucky bucks" for being so well behaved (although they're changing the name to "behavior bucks"--I guess so that kids don't think it's just "luck" to earn them....). These are a rite of passage at St. Mike's as all 1st graders are trained with them to help make the transition from the fun and games of kindergarten to the serious work of elementary school. The kids have to forfeit them for bad behavior and get to spend whatever they've accumulated at the class "store" every Friday.