The First Day of School...

a mulled cider candle on the candle warmer...

a cool 62 degree breeze blowing through the windows...

a fresh pot of coffee brewing in a new coffee maker

(the old coffee maker died two days before--coffee is a must-have on the first day of school--and everyday after the first!)...

donuts...

money for Josh from the Tooth Fairy

(the second tooth lost--lower right center)...

Matthew with new school supplies and his "crib pillow"...

organization...

hugs, kisses, and lovin' from Carrie's bunny slippers...

Jedi moves during "recess"...

deformed cupcakes

(what is wrong with my cupcakes lately?!)...

rolling out dough between two sheets of parchment paper

(thank you, Pioneer Woman)...

sibling apple peeling/coring/slicing bonding time

(not to mention a pretty rocking' faux hawk!--he wet the middle of his own head down and asked for it)...

cinnamon and sugar apple slices...

crumbly topping straight from my Longaberger mixing bowl

(thank you to Paul, Judy, and Ron!)...

tea party cupcakes...

Grandma's traditional monster cookies

(a favorite that is once again on the menu--SURPRISE!)...

GG

(Great-Grandma)...

The 10th Annual First Day of School Tea Party...

no tea

(chocolate milk and coffee instead)...

messy mouths...

a bouquet for the teacher

(thank you, Grandma!)

anticipation...

Grandma love...

new school supplies...

gum = school supplies?

("For recess only," says Grandma..."Yes!" says Matthew)....

dividing up...

Grandma and the Gang...

GG and the Greats...

faux hawk becomes no hawk

("No more!" as the faux hawk ends as it once began)...

Enjoying firsts--and everything else,