Are you ready for the summer?

 I thought Marley was a big kid on the first day of first grade.

But after a year of elementary school, she's even bigger.  Her legs actually look long, I think.  Not Riley-long or anything; let's not get crazy.  But she's definitely grown into her backpack, for one thing.

On previous last days, Marley's re-worn her first day of school outfits, but this year her skirt and shirt were already put away because she's outgrown them.  Sheesh.  Instead, she's wearing the bracelet and paw-print necklace her adored first grade teacher gave to her and her classmates this year, and she's demonstrating that Farley Foxes are not only Responsible, Respectful, and Ready; they are also Rock Stars. 

Then we set off for the bus.  For the last time.  (Please note, an actual ice cream lady lives on our street.  Imagine the constant reminder of Chipwiches and Two-Ball Screwballs just a few doors down.) And that's because next year when Todd's bringing Marley to the bus, I'll be in the middle of a lesson on passive voice, or Jack versus Ralph, or, God help me, your versus you're.  I'll miss our strolls, or sometimes, races, to the bus, and I'm melancholy about all those little moments I'll be missing.

Somewhat related: Todd told me that I need to write up a brief biography for the new staff profiles distributed on opening day.  I will get to a safe, boring version soon enough, but if we're being honest:

"Jen W------ is a dope who once ate a whole tray of salted brown butter rice crispy treats.  She tells the same four stories over and over again, she worries about bridges crumbling each time she drives over one, and she's usually awkward when greeting or leaving someone new.  She is defensive about balancing intellectual pursuits with pop culture news, she loves fried clams, and she has adult acne."