Tuesday, August 19, 2008

We Did It!




I stress the "We" part. It was a group effort. Today was Jack's first day of Kindergarten. A day I have dreaded for quite some time now. He was up at the crack of dawn and ready to head to school! He wore the outfit he had been saving in his closet for six months, for this very purpose. Brian accompanied us to school. I was so relieved, because I knew I was headed for a melt-down. Any typical mom would have been more than proud of the way my son walked into his class and made himself at home. I, on the other hand, am not your typical mom. I saw this sweet, independent five year old who didn't need his mom. He didn't need me to help him with his backpack, he didn't need me to help him make friends, he didn't need me to make sure he ate his lunch. I just stood there in a classroom of children and parents and cried. Jack kept glancing at Dad as if to say, "Can you do something about her, please?". I managed to pull it together and leave the school only to pick him up a little later just as excited as he was when I left.

The highlight of his day was seeing big brother Jacob in the cafeteria! Jacob is such a great big brother. He and his buddies made Jack feel so welcome today! Of course, Jack loved it that the big boys were calling out his name!
Kristen


Monday, August 18, 2008

The First Day.....




Well, there are alot of "firsts" spiraling around our house these days! This is my "first" official blog posting. Jacob (our oldest) is experiencing fourth grade for the "first" time. Jack (our youngest) will experience real school (Kindergarten) for the "first" time tomorrow. Brian (the husband) is spending the "first" day in his new office (same company, just new office). Everyone is so very excited about their "firsts". Everyone, that is, except me. Tomorrow will be my "first" day with both children officially in school! Such sweet sorrow. It only seems like hours that we brought that 9lb bundle of pure joy home from the hospital. Hard to believe it has really been 5 years. He is so ready to get to school. Our conversation over breakfast this morning went something like this: "Jack, are you so excited to go to your new school tomorrow?" "Yep, I hope I don't fart." (What mom wouldn't be proud to hear these words spill from her 5 year olds lips??) Trying hard to ignore the statement, I proceeded with "You are just going to love your teacher." His response? "My teacher's hot!" Now, this is the same child that just 3 days ago was adamant that he was not going to have that teacher. She has short hair and he wanted a teacher with long hair. That's Jack for you! We never know what will pop out of his mouth. Jack is our wild card. Every family needs at least one.

I will end this first post by saying, as sad as I feel that my Jack will be growing up tomorrow, I am so excited to begin this journey with him. He is excited to be in the same school as his precious big brother. What fun it will be for the two of them. Something tells me, there will be lots of giggles and whispers in the coming nights long after the bedtime stories are read and the lights are out!

Kristen