The Hands (Behind the Scenes)

It's Behind the Scenes Tuesday, where we link up with Crystal and share the real life behind the "nearly perfect" (or not nearly perfect) snapshots of our lives. Read more about it here.

The picture: 

The story:
Today was the first day of school. My oldest is in 3rd grade, and my baby is in kindergarten. (Mom is still slightly in denial). A (the little) has been pretty excited all summer about school, but the past few days I could see the anxiety setting in. So I wasn't sure how day 1 would go.

Everyone popped out of bed early, got ready to go, grabbed their backpacks, and then headed out the door. We walk about 2 blocks to school, so this makes mornings easy, and gives us some flexibility on departure time. A & S (the oldest) posed for all the pictures I asked for. And then A grabbed S's hand, said "Mama, S has got me all covered. BYYYYYYYYYYYEEEEEEEEEEEEE!"  They set off down the street, with nary a look back at me. They did ask me to walk all the way to the school door with them (I am thankful they let me come that far!) and then they disappeared into the fun adventure of a new school year. No looking back. No tears. No nerves. Just glee at the thought of a new year, a new day, a new teacher, new friends, and a very familiar big sister to help her through it all.

While mama stood on the sidewalk, teary eyed for a few minutes. With a smile in my heart, watching my two (not-so) little ones: brave, loving sisters tackling the world together.