And yes, I’m posting photos of the big event — full day school!

Lunch! Science lab and Spanish class! Fantastic new teacher!

But it’s heart-breaking too. Someone is missing from this photo.

Last year’s first day of school photo included all four kids. The wheelchair bus passed our house this morning. I watched it zoom by with a tear in my eye.

In the midst of all the excitement for Big Boy (and we truly are delighted for him), I am missing all the preparations we would have been making for Elli.

This morning, after getting Big Boy off to school, I discovered these beauties in Elli’s garden.

I’ve been waiting all summer for this clematis to bloom.

What a gift to find these flowers today.