For the first time I got a little choked up this morning when I watched my “almost” (22 days to go) 15 year old walk to the bus stop in the pitch dark to catch the bus. Clayton is starting his First year of High School.  I sat up by the curb near our house and he didn’t see me (it was 6:10 for pete’s sake!).  I waited until the bus came and it was more emotional than when he started Kindergarten!  I guess I’m slowly realizing that in so many small ways I’m losing control of my baby.  Four years and he’s off to college.  It was just yesterday he was kicking his feet in the tub water, giggling and smiling with a toothless grin and big blue eyes gazing adoringly at me.  Now I get “Nick Nolte” type mug shots:

And because I didn’t dare go down to the bus stop, this is the best shot I could get of him waiting for the bus in the dark (totally unimpressive photo):

But I did get a photo of him tossing his backpack once he got home (again not too flattering but there are no retakes when you have teen boys):

So then there was Shelby and Jackson’s to get to the bus.  Much easier to handle.  They don’t even get out of bed until 7:40!  Bright and sunny outside.  And, they actually allow me to take photos of them….even though Shelby was a tad bit “teen-agy” with me.

Jackson was the easiest:

Love the top right pic, every year Jack-man has to give me his goofy first day of school photo.  A kiss on the cheek and off he goes to the FIRST day of Middle School (6th grade).

Shelby begins her LAST year in Middle School (8th grade). Shelby for some reason wanted to wear an old Ralph Lauren shirt of mine instead of something new…Whatevah……

 

She does look cute with her new hair cut.  Then we must pose for her fun moment photo:

Then I got the obligatory sibling shot:

Just like Clayton, Shelby is asserting her own opinions and style.  Jackson, well he’s still my little guy, my get along guy and I’m going to enjoy our 3 years at Middle School.  I love you guys!