first day of school

We are back from a glorious 9 days away from 'real life', and jumped back into things full speed. We got home Sunday night and, due to some poor planning on our part, had to get the boys off for their first day of school Monday morning, and then show an appraiser through our house (for a refinance) at 10 a.m. Did I mention this family of 6 just came back from 9 days away? That's a lot of laundry and unpacking to scramble around and do, lemme say!! (Though, Todd was impressed with my scurrying and thinks maybe we should always have someone come through our house the day after vacation so we can always get things done so quickly!)

And...alas...my last baby started school this week. I was a bit sentimental, and felt teary the night before, but was a brave mommy, and had no tears on the big day. :)

Luke woke up well before the alarm and bounded into my room announcing, "It's the first day of school!!! I'm SOOO excited!!" Everyone was pleasant in the morning, even though the bigger boys were terribly thrilled about returning to the 'grind', (neither of them was thrilled with the teacher they got and didn't have any of last year's friends in their classes), but were still excited enough that we all got off to a good start. Luke felt more and more tentative til the bus came, but Big Brother Seth kept reassuring him, and promised to sit with him on the bus and make sure he got to the right place when they arrived at school. (I love that my boys are so caring!)

I pick Luke up after school, which is done at 11:45 (he has 1/2 day, morning kindergarten, at my request because he still needs naps at least once or twice a week to keep things from, well....melting down). He came out very excited, and saying he couldn't wait to go back tomorrow. We had some errands to run after picking him up, so we heard about his day for about a half an hour straight. He reported every detail he could remember, and I asked every question I could think of, and when we were finally both quiet, I though surely he was 'talked out'. After a few minutes he said "Well...aren't you going to ask me anything else?!?!" I couldn't think of another question! So he said, "Then you tell me what I told you." I asked him to clarify what he meant, because he couldn't possibly mean he wanted me to repeat everything he had just said.... Sure enough. He wanted ME to tell HIM about his day!! So I did...every single detail. Good thing I was listening closely! The only thing I forgot was that they used 'sparkly' crayons in art class...but Dad jumped in with that one! I think between us we aced the quiz. :)














He was very excited to go back, and lamented that he wasn't in full day kindergarten. I told him he (meaning me!) needed to ease into that, and it was better this way. ;) He told Aunt Bets that his teacher "isn't old, but ALMOST old. She's older than mom." (Guess that means I'm not old either, right?) :) I think she's probably in her 40's and seems SUPER nice; a big relief for mommy. Luke says she's very nice and only yelled at the kids who were being bad, but he said "But I was good, Mom." I was pretty sure after receiving the following letter from his teacher last week, with a baggy containing a cotton ball, tissue and tea bag attached to it, that I would like her:

Here is a little 'gift' for you as you leave your precious one with me on the first day of school. As you hold the cotton ball in your hand, the softness will help you to remember the gentle spirit of your child. After you've gone home and dried your tears, make yourself a hot cup of tea, put up your feet and relax. Remember that together you and I will work to help your child be the best he or she can be.

Thank you for entrusting your child to me for the coming school year. I will do my very best every day to be your child's guide in learning about and exploring the bright new world he or she has just stepped into!

Sincerely,

Mrs. Reisner

I think it's going to be a good year.