The First of the Lasts, Perspective

Monday morning, I'm curled up with my extra strong coffee and planning my last day off.  I already feel like its half over and it's only 730 am.  But then again, it started early.
3:30:  turned off breakfast casserole in croc pot
5:15:  Got the recruit up and out the door and turned on the coffee, discovered we had an extra kid in the house when I accidently woke him up too.  then went back to bed.
( I decided to let Mark persue the first day of school dance with the kids).
6:45:  poured a cup of coffee and did dishes.
7:00.:  attempted to take 1st day of school photos for the last time ( it's my Twins Senior yr.).
Senior year,  how do I even begin to process that little tidbit.
My babies are Seniors!  Hummmmm. Bittersweet.  It's been a long adventurous journey that started  with my oldest over 15 years ago and has continued annually since.  Now the parade of the lasts begins and I plan on embracing every one of them.
So first day of school photos were taken and the truck pulled out of the driveway with Barry and Hanna looking absolutely adorable in their uniforms and thrilled to be driving themselves to school.
I returned to the kitchen and finished cleaning up leftover breakfast (I created a crockpot hash brown experiment in yumminess that was a huge hit ) getting ready for the remainder of the morning and played with the pugs (who were thrilled to be inside and lounging on their pillows instead of outside in the sun, chilling on the deck.)
Days like this are few and far between. Ones that mark milestones that should not be but often are forgotten.  I don't want to do that anymore.
I have a few traditions that have stood for the past 15 years that have only been altered once during that time.  The year I was a recruit,  I missed that first day of school.  My brother and his wife were amazing replacements but I still felt the sting of loss.  It was one of the first real zingers that let me know what the life of a working momma was like.
That is what I've been for the last 11 years, a working mom.  Although I've missed a lot of wonderful moments during that time, it was a necessary evil that supported my family and made the proverbial ends meet.  But needless to say, I have almost always been there that first day.
The rule of thumb is a good breakfast, lunches made and ready, photos to commentate the day and a clean house filled with the aroma of fresh baked cookies when they come home.
Today I am proud to say was no different, except my precious momma was here with me to greet Bear when he walked in the door.  My girl had headed to Starbucks to meet with a friend.  Yep, life is changing.  And I think I am ready for that, because with each last I celebrate with my hubby and the kids, I am prepping for some firsts.  And believe me, I am ready for some firsts.  So let the Senior year commence.