First Day of School

Today was a big day at our house as was it at many of yours — the first day of school. This was however, no ordinary first day. Ryan headed off to 4th grade at a new school called Weaver Lake Elementary STEM Magnet. And Anna headed off to Kindergarten (half day, morning).

Ryan's school is the Science, Technology and Math (STEM) focused school in our district. The teaching is based on a "hands-on" approach with a focus on the three areas that are the Magnet's concentration. Ryan expressed interest in attending this school this past spring when it was relocated to a school building much closer to our house. He has been exceling in Math and also really likes Science so it seemed like a natural fit. As luck would have it his best friend made the same decision and with limited openings they were both fortunate to be chosen in the random lottery. And even luckier they got the same teacher and are sharing a locker. Ryan had a good first day and really likes his teacher Ms. Mary Oldham. His class has 35 kids in — the most he has ever had — but I am confident Ms. Oldham will manage it well. Ryan did say that he knew no one else in class except Josh and that no one played with him today but Josh but I assured him that would not last long. Saying a prayer and crossing fingers that this is the case!

Anna has been ready for Kindergarten for months or so she has been saying. It turns out the difficulty falling asleep and the night waking were likely brought on as a result of anxiety over the approaching school year. This weekend full blown protests began with her finally dissolving into tears last night in bed and telling me she had a stomach ache AND a cold and surely could not go to school. She also told me she would like to "pass" on Kindergarten. Not pass like you think of in school but rather pass on it as "fore go it." I told her that wasn't an option. This morning she was still distressed but we distracted her with getting dressed and curling her hair. She arrived at the bus stop excited but when the bus rounded the corner she turned to me in a panic, grabbed me and asked, "Momma how many hours do I have to be there????!!!!" As I steered her towards the bus I said only 2 1/2 hours and then bless her cousin Marah who grabbed her hand and said, "Come one Anna let's go," and hustled her on to the bus. Anna has a girl from her dance school who is actually from Ryan's grade and Anna adores her. Harley spotted Anna and asked her to sit down so when the bus pulled away Anna had a big grin on her face. I had a big lump in my throat as did Bill I imagine.

I met her bus on its return after 12:00 and she was all smiles, told me she had a great day, that she made 4 friends and that she was "definitely going back tomorrow." Boy did I breath a sigh of relief! Tonight she was busy laying out her clothes for tomorrow and looking forward to the day.

They really do grow up too fast. As the day wore on today I realized I was really tired out and I really think that the day itself was much harder on me than I care to admit. There are so many emotions in particular about sending your youngest off to school for the first time. I am always excited to pick up the kids at the end of the day but today in particular I was very anxious for 5:00 to arrive so I could head to my sister's to pick them up. I guess it is a sign they are getting older and I am getting older. :-(

Hope the first day of school went well for everyone with kids!