First Day of School, Late August 2013

Late August in the Bay Area, and the first day of school had arrived. We had a little time for a quick photo on the patio before leaving the house. She sat patiently in the bright yellow chair, looking ready for the day ahead in her striped shirt and new sneakers.

When we got to the school, her new classroom door was covered in decorations. A big green 'WELCOME' sign was the centerpiece, surrounded by yellow stars, each with a student's name neatly written on it. We found hers right away. It's a simple thing, but seeing her name there alongside all her new classmates made it feel official. She stood for the obligatory photo in front of the door before heading inside to start the year. A quick, routine moment, but one of those milestones you try to capture.