The BIG Day ...

finally arrived! After months of anticipation, Owen donned his backpack and lunch bag



and headed off for his first day of kindergarten.





I thought he might just about burst with excitment.





He did look momentarily terrified when it was time for me to leave (I was momentarily terrified as well, so he was in good company), but held it together (I did too ... kind of) and gave me a wary thumbs-up.

All appeared to go well -- for nearly five hours later, as we all converged on the front lawn to welcome him home



the bus rounded the corner



and Owen emerged from his very first bus ride, still smiling,



and anxious to chow down on chocolate chip cookies.