Last week was the first week back to school for the kids. It was definitely a week of mixed emotions, nerves, excitement (excitement was only from the 6 year old of course) and the overwhelming desire to let out a big, fat "UGH." Starting school in the city came with the same type of emotions but to start school in a completely different state, multiplied everything by a good 50 percent. I remember as a child what it was like to start fresh at a new school and it's pretty much up there with having to walk into a room not knowing your dress is tucked into the back of your underwear or that you have a long trail of tissue stuck to your shoe. It's a sort of nervousness that no matter how many times you have to do it, it never gets better so needless to say I felt for the kids, I really did. There were a lot of things that made this start of school different from the rest. There were negatives as well as positives.
Let me take you back to a first day of school in the city. The night before I'd come home from work, finish up dinner and be frantically making sure everyone was ready for their first day and in bed at a reasonable time. The morning of, I would wake up earlier than normal to get myself ready for work and then make sure everyone else was up on time to get ready for school. Breakfast would be cereal. I'd grab a quick cup of coffee to-go and then me and the two older kids would be out the door. I'd drop them off and immediately be headed off to work to start my day. As I drove to work I would be thinking about my little 6 year old I had left behind for dad to take and anxiously looked forward to receiving a picture of his first day. So sad to have to experience his first day through a picture but unfortunately when you're a working mother you have to choose your time off wisely and you're forced to choose between which events are "important" and which events are "REALLY important" and these events must be divided between all of your children.
The first week of school in the country went a little different. We spent a good five days before hand making sure everyone was prepared and ready for school. Clothes shopping was a little different due to the fact that our list included, puffy jackets, beanies and gloves. The night before went smoothly. There was no rushing around from me or frantically trying to make sure everyone was ready. The morning of (now this is where the positives really start to come in) I got up before everyone else, got myself ready and then went into the kitchen to prepare them a hot breakfast. That's right, I said "hot." I know that doesn't do anything for nerves really but to be able to actually have the time to do that for them, gave me great satisfaction and I know they were grateful as well. Although cereal is far from being a thing of the past : )
All and all we survived our first week back to school and the best part of it all was being able to walk this little guy all the way to class and saying "have a good day."
Not sure what part the laser gun plays in all of this but that smile is priceless.
LC