The first day of school and Mitchell Family Fun Day

I have no idea why these pictures are in reverse order, but I'm too lazy to fix it.....So we'll just start from the most recent, shall we?

Ian started first grade on September 6th, and I don't know if ever there was a happier boy on the first day of first grade. We are THRILLED about his teacher and so excited that so many of his friends are in his class!

I thought it was nice that his cubby was the first one after the classroom door.

You can see Ian's lime-green backpack in line with the rest of his class.
Have I mentioned he was excited?

Blake had an awkward moment with the stroller, though.

This is Ian's first experience with his very own desk and special pencil just for him.

Day 1 of 181 walking to school with Dad, Blake,  Mr. Adam, and Jacob.
On the first day, the moms and sister, Catherine, joined along.

Oh, how we love neighbor Jacob!!
(Have I mentioned we won the neighbor lottery? Cause we did.)

New this year: The Back To School Fairy!
She came and left some fun treats for the WHOLE family to celebrate!

For the past decade+, we have been gathering each summer for Mitchell Family Fun Day! This mostly consists of eating grilled food and playing outdoor games. This year, we missed Aunt Becky's family by a couple of days

New this year: Ian spear-headed a family bike race. Notice he's barefoot. We changed that quickly.

The three-legged race was great--especially after Kelsey just picked up Ian and RAN. =)

Also? There were potato sacks.

Blake liked the Ride-On-Dad's-Ankle event post-badminton.

Ian and cousin Andrea are best buds.

Ian was.....addicted....to this whistle.

Blake wanted to play badminton....but only on Dad's hip.

Joe had a BLAST splitting wood for Grammy. I think he was feeling especially manly.
I mean, really. Splitting wood in MAINE? Hello, lumberjack!!

Blake loves Mom's chickens. He was so excited that he got to let them out of their coop and run. 

Ian and Papa had to dig the potatoes for that day's potato salad.
(Notice the chicken coming over for a peek.)

School's out for summer!

Well, today I sent my little boy to kindergarten....but when I picked him up, he was magically a first-grader. (Did I do a little happy dance when I saw that he was assigned to the first grade teacher I was hoping for? Maybe.)

Teacher gifts were brought in,

Sidewalks were decorated (thanks, Meghan!),

Moms were indulged at dismissal time,

Brothers and neighbors were happy to be together.

One of the major bonuses of living in a duplex is our neighbors. When we moved in, Jacob was 22 months old, and his sister, Catherine, was just a twinkle in her mom's eye. Fast-forward to today and Jacob is heading to second grade in the fall and one of our very favorite friends. 

We have loved Ian's elementary school--it's one of the last, true neighborhood schools where the principal knows each child's name by October. Make no mistake--we are thrilled for the summer to be here, but come September, we'll be excited for our next first grade adventure.