One Down. 179 To Go.

Well, we all made it through the first day of school. Although, truth be told, I didn't think we would have too many problems on the first day.

I'm holding my breath until next week when the bloom is off the scholarly rose.

I'll back up slightly to Fiver's birthday, which was very fun in a low key kind of way. We made a trip to Outback Steakhouse, per his request, where he promptly ordered a grilled cheese sandwich. As he does at every restaurant.

I could have made him a grilled cheese sandwich at home and said G'DAY MATE! in a chipper way when I served it to him.

Oh well, to each his own. Thanks for all the happy birthday wishes -- I read them all to Fiver as he watched his slide show, saying "There's Baby Me. There's Little Me. There's Me Me."

So now we are back to the first day of school. (Do you have whiplash from all the time traveling in this post?)

We were all up before the alarms this morning, too excited to sleep late. I predict this behavior will have ceased by next week at the latest.

I even mopped the kitchen floor before the kids came down for breakfast. I predict this behavior will have ceased by TOMORROW.

The kids trotted happily into school, while poor little Sally sobbed in the back seat. She was heartbroken to see her two best pals go away without her. Without even a look back. CRUEL.

So Rob and I took her to the diner to assuage her feelings. Because there's nothing healthier than a short stack when you are feeling blue.

My biggest worry of the day was that the kids were riding the bus home for the first time this year. I knew Francie would be fine, but it's always dicey with Fiver and any routine changes.

I said little prayers throughout the day, and when the bus pulled up, the kids hopped out to a chorus of goodbyes from their friends. Their grins went all the way around their heads and back to the front.

I certainly don't expect every day to be perfectly amiable like this one, but I think they're gonna make it this year.