Times Passes By Too Fast While Life is Happening!

Well, this morning Harold and I have a 3rd grader in our home!!! How in the world did this happen so fast? It was just yesterday that Hayden started Kindergarten....I mean seriously.
It is simply amazing that sometimes the days are so long, but the years go by so fast.
There were no tears this morning but my heart aches knowing that my baby is growing up. I have been told so many times that 3rd grade is a transition year and a growing / maturing phase at school. I know that Hayden is ready to grow up but I miss my little baby sometimes too. Harold and I are blessed beyond belief that he still enjoys hanging out with us and even for all his bravado sometimes he DID hold my hand at the open house last night as we walked the halls of the school.
His teacher is going to be amazing. She is a very strong teacher who will bring out the best in my boy. Now, we understand also that she does not put up with a lot so the behavior is going to have to get in check quickly. :-)
Hayden believes wholeheartedly that God chose Mrs. Pack for him. When they met last night (and he had on baseball attire....), she asked him if he liked the White Sox (that was the t-shirt and hat he had on), his reply was I just LOVE baseball. She told him that they were going to get along great because she does too. I cannot begin to tell you how much that thrilled my fella.
This morning as Harold was finishing country boy breakfast for Hay and I was finishing up a note and basket of goodies for Mrs. Pack for the first day of school, Harold heard Hayden stirring upstairs. I thought that had to be wrong because we had not gone to wake him. But then I heard...."Good Morning Momma!" and there he was at the top of the stairs. He said "I set my alarm and got up with it this morning for my first day". Yep, my baby is growing up. I don't have a photo of Hayden from this morning yet but here are a few from the past years.
He and his Daddy as he went off for the first day of Kindergarten.

He and Mrs. Koettel on the first day of Kindergarten. My goodness he looks little.
Hayden and Momma on the first day of First Grade. I did not have a first day of school pic with Mrs. Parker (whom we LOVE and go get hugs from at school every chance we get)Look at him stretching trying to be taller. He does not like these shorts at all. He did not like them then and he certainly does not like them today. He so wanted to wear cargos but we are not sure they are allowed......Getting ready to head out for the first day of Second Grade.
Mrs. Faith and Hayden on the first day of Second Grade. We miss Mrs. Faith SO much.