Scenes From the Morning
August 25, 2009
Elementary School Kids, who were up at o’dark thirty so great was their excitement. They are going to be exhausted tonight.
Off to the bus stop. The boys told me that wearing your backpack on your back is not cool. Apparently it is much cooler to just drag it along, banging into your leg, on the crook of your elbow. I mean, doesn’t it just look cool?
Middle School. They don’t have a bus. Today they got a ride to school, but usually they will be riding their bikes.
The Thinker. Probably thinking about food, girls, and football. Most likely in that order. It is also not cool to tie your shoes tight so that they actually STAY ON YOUR FEET.
Mom? You aren’t going to come take photos at the bus stop, are you?
What if I just quietly hide in the bushes and take photos? Would that be okay?
Miles and I walked back in the house. I had wondered if he would be upset that everyone was gone. He looked up at me:
Finally! It’s just me and you!
He has big plans. So far he has eaten breakfast with cookies for dessert. Played wii, doing all the annoying things that drive his siblings crazy, like making endless miis and quitting mid-game. And jumped on the couch. I hope he paces himself it is only 9:25. We have lots of hours to kill.
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Yeah, Mom, it’s you and me. He was probably more excited for the day to come than the school kids were.
August 25th, 2009 at 10:38 amBut the novelty will wear off, boredom and lonesome will set in, and he will start wanting some action with the kids!
My 4 yo dd was thrilled her siblings went off to school. She wants to go, too, but having no one yell at her is a big plus for her.
August 25th, 2009 at 10:42 amThey all look so grown up and pretty happy to be going off to school.
please?!
August 25th, 2009 at 10:48 amWith all those hours to kill, maybe you & Miles could take a few photos of your new house for us to see?
Nice pictures. Have your older boys ever gone to school before or always been homeschooled?
The younger kids look really excited.
August 25th, 2009 at 10:56 amI think I may be more excited to hear about your kids first day of school than mine! I mean, this is truly their first day!!
I can’t wait to hear how everything went.
August 25th, 2009 at 10:56 amSounds like he is going to have a great day.
August 25th, 2009 at 10:56 amHow funny is he?! I love how excited he was that it was just the two of you & that Miles is in the pics with the kids too. Gorgeous kids!! Enjoy the day!
August 25th, 2009 at 10:57 amWhat an exciting day! Hope everyone enjoys it - sounds like Miles is!
August 25th, 2009 at 11:02 amI’m glad your daughter was able to make it to the first day of school. You’ve got a bunch of good looking kids! Seeing first day of school pictures always takes me back to that feeling of nervous excitement.
August 25th, 2009 at 11:09 amChris,
August 25th, 2009 at 11:12 amI hope you and Miles enjoy your day.
I remember those days and they don’t seem
that long ago. Now I am at the grandmother stage.
Did your daughter get her hair cut?
She looks so adorable.
I have been lurking on your site for at least two years. This morning was the first time I realized you had 7 kids. For whatever reason, I always counted 6. Until today, when I counted 7 in the pictures. And thought, am I counting Miles twice? Nope, you have 7 children, not 6. I have failed at counting. For years.
August 25th, 2009 at 11:16 amlove that miles.
August 25th, 2009 at 11:20 amI loved Miles’ expressions on those photos…at first glance it looks like “oh…they are all leaving…not happy” but after reading that comment it was probably more like “you ARE leaving right? ’cause…you know… I HAVE plans!” He’s so cute…make me one! (Just kidding!!!)
August 25th, 2009 at 11:20 amWell that’s good that he didn’t have a meltdown. Did you decide what you are going to do to fill in the hours. I’m sure laundry isn’t THAT important. :o)
August 25th, 2009 at 11:26 amYou know, I read your blog to relive the good ole days, since my kids are now 29, 28, 21, 18 and 16 1/2 (blended family, not stretched uterus) and spread out between households.
I love seeing someone else’s kid playing toocoolforschool and a 10-year-old growing out before he grows up (this all happened this summer, right?).
You really sound - may I say it - more relaxed than in the NE. Texas has a way of doing that. And growing as a mom, which I totally admire.
Thank you for chronicling all of it - even the barf episodes. You will say it too: I miss those days!
August 25th, 2009 at 11:27 amI hope my son looks as excited as you little ones do when he starts kindergarten tomorrow!
August 25th, 2009 at 11:29 amhaha oh how I love Miles.
Your kids look great - they are going to love school!
August 25th, 2009 at 11:37 amI’ve been thinking about you guys this morning. Can’t wait to here how their days go!!
August 25th, 2009 at 11:39 amOr rather “hear.”
August 25th, 2009 at 11:40 amAwww Chris I LOVE your kids!!! They are all so sweet, and absolutely gorgeous. I wish all of them the best of luck as they embark on this new adventure in their lives - it is so exciting, and wonderful that they have each other to share this experience this with! It’ll be so great to read about the stories you have about them throughout the year. They are really going to thrive; they have a wonderful support system at home. I’m getting all mushy here, it’s just so cool seeing how the kids have grown since I started reading your blog 5 years ago. Congrats to you and your husband on raising such a lovely family.
August 25th, 2009 at 11:53 amYou know, when you space out the pictures like that, it doesn’t seem like so many kids. I feel like I have never seen “Leftie” in pic #3 before…looks like the morning went well. Ours was unusually low key, but, then, there are only 2 of them here. Have fun killing time.
August 25th, 2009 at 12:01 pmMy daughter made so many miis that she hit the ceiling of how many you can create! I think that may be her favorite part of the Wii.
August 25th, 2009 at 12:06 pmCongrats Mom!
August 25th, 2009 at 12:08 pmAwwwww.
August 25th, 2009 at 12:22 pmYour kids are so gorgeous. I hope they have a fabulous day at their new school. Am I confusing you with someone else, or didn’t you home school them up until now? Must feel strange to you, the most, to have a (mostly) empty house.
Speaking of houses, when do we get to see pics of the new one now that you’ve settled in?
August 25th, 2009 at 12:23 pmOoooh that table looks so big with Miles at the other end alone…enjoy your Miles and Me time and the relative peace!
August 25th, 2009 at 12:24 pmYay! I love first days of school. So much anticipation, the new clothes,supplies, etc. They look ready!
Side note: I havent seen a pic of Middle Schooler in the Black Shirt in so long, I almost forgot about him!
August 25th, 2009 at 12:32 pmGreat pictures. I love how your daughter is looking up towards her older brother… priceless. You are going to need a few sets of ears at the dinner table tonight.
August 25th, 2009 at 12:35 pmI have an endless mii-maker as well. I couldn’t help but laugh at that one!
August 25th, 2009 at 12:39 pmI’m curious as to how the older ones will feel about public school vs home school. I hope they all have a fabulous first day.
August 25th, 2009 at 12:41 pmCherish the time with that last one at home! Time will fly by!
August 25th, 2009 at 12:44 pmAnd how are you mom? Do you miss them?
August 25th, 2009 at 12:53 pmThey all look so big!! Have a great day with Miles!
I finally get when you say you could eat him up. Priceless!
August 25th, 2009 at 12:56 pmWas it hard seeing them all go? I think I would have been in tears after they left. Thanks for sharing your morning. Hope they all have a great first day!
August 25th, 2009 at 1:07 pmMy GOODNESS your family is beautiful! I just found you last week and have been scanning around the archives a little bit, getting to know the place.
August 25th, 2009 at 1:08 pmI can’t wait to hear what all they have to say about their first day!
August 25th, 2009 at 1:09 pmMy goodness, you have some gorgeous children. I love the way your daughter is looking up at your blonde son, like she absolutely adores him!
August 25th, 2009 at 1:18 pmMiles cracks em up! I think my 2yo is thinking along his same lines. His older brother has been a pill for 2 weeks now, and school starts next Monday. I think we’re ALL excited.
August 25th, 2009 at 1:24 pmreading your blog is like getting a big juicy letter in the mail every day. i absolutely love it.
August 25th, 2009 at 1:39 pmSo did you cry?
Chris says: Nope. Not one tear.
August 25th, 2009 at 1:41 pmHooray!
August 25th, 2009 at 1:54 pmThe roof of your house must have been almost lifting with all the excitement. I hope they all have fabulous first days of school!
Totally unrelated, and you’ve probably heard this song before, but I just heard it over the weekend and the first thought that went through my head as I heard the chorus was of you!
Lyle Lovett - That’s Right - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nMhaehb5AnE
August 25th, 2009 at 2:14 pmthat picture of Miles at the long, empty table perfectly expresses what your home must feel like right now! you’re a great photographer… and blogger (mommy or otherwise).
August 25th, 2009 at 2:20 pmIf I may make a request…can we hear more about your middle school boys? I feel like I haven’t heard much about them!
August 25th, 2009 at 2:28 pmCongratulations on getting all of the kids, except Miles, off to school. Enjoy your time (mostly) off!
“Finally it’s just me and you” — that is the sweetest thing I’ve heard yet!!
August 25th, 2009 at 2:31 pmGorgeous children - may they all have a great year and you too!
August 25th, 2009 at 2:57 pmI love how Miles muscled into the first picture.
The younger boys with the longish hair - going to be super popular with the boys and the girls are going to swoon.
What an exciting time for your family.
Surprised the kids don’t have sandals on in the heat though. (why do I notice things like that)
August 25th, 2009 at 3:11 pmThe first day of many! Great shots of all the kids. I love that Miles was standing next to them in the photos. What did you end up packing them for lunch?
August 25th, 2009 at 3:28 pmokay i see that you did not shed one tear. did you get sad
August 25th, 2009 at 3:33 pmor were you so excited for them that you glowed with pride
Good job mom. I am sure you can’t wait for all the stories. What a special day for everyone!
August 25th, 2009 at 3:39 pmAwwww! Such a little Miles in such a big house! I can practically hear him rattling around, all the way up here in DFW.
August 25th, 2009 at 3:57 pmps get ready for the parent homework forms forms and more forms
August 25th, 2009 at 4:02 pmThere is clearly a difference in hair and shoe styles between elementary school age boys and middle school age boys :’)
August 25th, 2009 at 4:07 pmWait! Is that the oldest? The high schooler? If not those two oldest look like twins. I keep scrooling up and down to compare. A good looking bunch! Hope the day was all they hoped it to be.
Chris says: Nope that is not the highschooler. They do look similar in these photos, but in real life you would never mistake them for twins. There is a 6″ and 50 pound weigh difference between them.
August 25th, 2009 at 4:25 pmOh! The look on your girl’s face in that one photo! So great!
August 25th, 2009 at 4:57 pmomg, i thought my 3yo was the only one who behaved like that on the wii.
lately, he has been making 8million miis that look like me, and naming them all Gasy.
I don’t know why.
August 25th, 2009 at 5:33 pmWhat a big day! They all look great! My 8 year old dresses the same as your grade schoolers. Love that your girl got dressed in her sunday best for the first day!
August 25th, 2009 at 5:49 pmI know you have respected your #3’s wishes by not blogging about him but I just have to say, he is turning into such a handsome young man. It is nice to see him. I hope your kids love their new schools.
August 25th, 2009 at 6:35 pmThe COOLEST way to carry a back pack is to let it hang on one shoulder. Almost like you were going to put it on and then half way through the process you got too busy to put the whole thing on.
August 25th, 2009 at 7:30 pmQuick question: Your table appears to only sit 8. How do ya’ll sit at the same time? I’m asking because I’m in the same dilemma. I’ve been shopping for a table that seats 10 and they are very hard to come by unless you want to pay an arm and leg.
Chris says: I did pay an arm and a leg.
August 25th, 2009 at 8:22 pmI have pictures of my kids on our front door steps every year on the first day of school — kindergarten through high school. Keep up the tradition!(and I love that Miles is in each one, as if…)
August 25th, 2009 at 8:33 pmFantastic pictures! Makes me miss those days.
Just one thing….I am number 5 of 7 siblings…there was never a picture taken of all of us at one time.
Just a little nagging….. it will be nice for them to have one day :0).
Hope its a great school year for everyone..you too Mom!
August 25th, 2009 at 9:20 pmHow exciting! I am dying to hear how they liked school (vs. homeschooling). What a big year for you guys!
August 25th, 2009 at 9:40 pmWe have an endless supply of Mii’s here, too. That is Roo’s favorite part, too.
August 25th, 2009 at 9:43 pmwhat did you DO with yourself.???/!!!! the QUIET~~~!!!!! o me o my… I would have just run around naked in my house, laughing my head off. But, hey, that’s just me.
August 25th, 2009 at 9:53 pmOh your Miles is so cute
August 25th, 2009 at 11:06 pmWonderful pictures! What a great way to commemorate the first day of school - for everyone! Thanks for sharing them with us.
August 25th, 2009 at 11:12 pmI usually lurk, but I just wanted to say that I LOVE how Miles is going to elementary AND middle school AND staying home with you. lol!
I love your blog, and your kids are gorgeous!
August 26th, 2009 at 12:02 am“not stretched uterus” - NOW, I have read every possible comment! And not any better for it — ::thunk::
What a joy to read - truly made me smile aloud. Love you guys, (really!) - and hope they all had a fantastic first day of public school. The schools and other kids are richer for having them there! Can’t wait ’til hear more tales of Miles and Mom’s daze!
August 26th, 2009 at 12:10 amAre those your sons or are you a polygamist and they’re your other husbands? Just teasing — the photos are wonderful, and I hope those children had a great day at school. I can’t imagine what your dinner table will be like tonight — who will speak first?
August 26th, 2009 at 12:12 amyou know, I love your blog but this post today reminds me of something. You talk about Miles and your daughter a lot, and you talk about the older boys a lot, but you hardly ever talk about the middle kids! I feel like I barely recognize them in these pictures.
Chris says: I think it has a lot to do with the ages than the kids themselves. A lot of what middle school aged children do and say is cringe worthy and I don’t think I should be putting it out here. Even though some of the time it is hilarious.
August 26th, 2009 at 12:14 amMonique, similar table and chairs at “JustCabinets.com” Table comes with 2 end leaves that make it ginormous… can accomodate 12 if you push it… table w/4chairs is 799 and 79 for each addtl chair… hope it helps.
Chris, great looking kids! Miles is sure to enjoy his one on one time… for a while anyway!
August 26th, 2009 at 9:09 amThis was so cute! My older boys don’t allow me to take their pics either. Another “not cool thing” after fifth grade is, actually wearing warm clothes or a coat. My son wore short sleeves all year last year to middle school, lol.
August 26th, 2009 at 9:29 amAbout the comment about the clothes…..
Elementary school kids WANT to stand out.
Middle school kids just want to BLEND in.
Our middle school looks like an Aeropostale commercial, lol.
August 26th, 2009 at 9:33 amWOOHOO!!!
September 2nd is our first school day, it is going to be … interesting ^^
I am not looking forward to trying to get them all out of the door in time.
Karen
August 26th, 2009 at 10:52 amACK - *TO hear* (not ’til) hear - an old mom of a lil one should be in bed before midnight, not writing comments!
August 26th, 2009 at 12:23 pmI am digging Miles’ t-shirt! Retro smurf stuff ROCKS!!
August 26th, 2009 at 12:54 pmI love how Miles is in all the school group pictures. He didn’t miss them one bit, did he? And, btw, cookies give you mom points, even if they are frozen first.
August 26th, 2009 at 3:53 pmUm…how do I get the one on the left in the elementary school pics hair? Could he give the name of his stylist?
August 26th, 2009 at 10:27 pm