Whew
Our boys officially started school today. Although today was Anthony's 7th day of high school, it was Chas' and Starks' 1st day in Middle School and Elementary respectively. Thank goodness these boys don't care about school tradition too much. First of all, we didn't go to school the day before for either of them to get their school class assignments that were hung on a wall. WHY would we? First of all, it's ridiculous parking, and secondly, why jockey in front of sheets to see who's in class with you and where? They get the SAME information the next day, and it's just more of a surprise! ;) (Full disclosure, a friend who went texted me Starks' teacher's name, but we had no idea which friends were with him in class.)
I did not take pictures of my kids holding signs this morning in front of anything. I've done this in the past, but I cannot recall how it happened. Why were they happier and eager to be awake and moving so early in previous years? Instead, I heard bear noises from Starks and Chas when I woke them this morning. Granted Chas informed me that he'd been up "most of the night" feeling sick, but he never threw up. Starks was just toasty and comfy, I guess. He slithered out of the blankets eventually, albeit reluctantly. At least Starks eats well and healthily first thing in the morning. Chas has always needed 2 hrs to sit in a chair and warm up to the idea of starting his day. During school, he has no such time! Instead, I woke them 30" before we needed to leave for school. Really, I think that's enough time to pee, get dressed, and eat. However, Chas ate nothing for breakfast and took a Ziploc baggie of his uneaten bacon in his pocket for if/when he got hungry in school. Who knows if he ate it or traded it for something tangible or intangible? Anyway, I digress. Great mom that I am, I totally took a picture of the sunrise over the mountains this morning instead of my kids. LOL. Mom fail #1.
The ride to school was fantastic, and the traffic I'd been anticipating was non existent! SCORE! Drop off was at the curb for Chas and the crosswalk for Starks. I was left a little torn in the beginning that Starks did not want me to find parking and walk him in, but in the end, I was proud of him. He doesn't really know how to process feeling nervous or even recognize that he is sometimes, but after answering many questions on the drive about what was expected of him until the bell sounded, he was fine! So, off he walked, alone, to his first day of 4th grade. I came back home to get Anthony and take him to school, went back to elementary to pass out supplies and then lunches, left to give blood, then drove back to pick up Starks and Chas from school after their HALF day! Then, we all came home to eat lunch and rest. Chas still had a headache, felt achy and tired, so we spent the afternoon and evening with the TV off and on. Poor guy.
Starks was VERY happy with his teacher. "She has a lot of parties!" And although there was no First Day of School Party, it was still a great day. After lamenting school yesterday and saying "I hate school," he had a wonderful day. He could not remember the jokes, but she told a few and made him laugh. :) She said there will be a lot of homework in the beginning but that it'll decrease periodically as the year goes along. This made him happy. He is also in class with his closest friends from 2nd grade! YEA! I feel good about this year for him.
Chas feels good about school, too. He has some great 7th grade teachers, got into Algebra and Adv. English, but was given an elective he hadn't listed.... ART! Not so bad. He says he's not a good artist, so hopefully he'll learn new skills or enjoy new mediums. He is excited about Chamber Choir already. :D I believe he enjoyed his first day regardless of feeling ill, and I know he loved seeing his friends and being surrounded by them again! His friend, Wesley, looked so handsome today in his jeans and button-up shirt. :) It made me smile to see the familiar faces again at both schools.
So, today was a win for the Laraway boys. Tomorrow, will be a win for me. ;) I have nothing on my schedule until 2:20! I've already resigned myself to doing a horrible workout because I should have the time. It'll be something exhausting yet empowering in the end. Other than that, I guess I'll be surprised by what God places in front of me for the day! (I have back to school night at the high school at 6:30... that is surreal to me somehow.... that I have a high schooler.... [for Russ:] that's just stupid and weird.)
You know, last night on the drive home from gymnastics, Starks was talking about school and dreading it. He kept talking and said, "I know you're sad, too, right, Mim?" Before I could answer, he went on, "I bet there are some parents that are happy their kids are going to school.... because their kids might be annoying or misbehave." "I bet you're sad because you won't get to love us, play with us and be together." Of course, I told him that he was absolutely right! I would be sad! However, I was not going to introduce the gray area. ;) I was not going to let him know that it wasn't so black and white... that being a little happy about your kids going to school didn't mean it was because you "got rid of them" but that you got a little more of yourself back. Not having them here means I shed the self imposed guilt that I can pile on after choosing to do laundry, clean, or commit to a task instead of playing a board game or doing something else with them. Granted, I would love to have them home with me longer. And, I feel blessed and full after our awesome summer of camping, baseball, best friends, family, and the ocean. No complaints here on how we maximized our together time through sickness, baseball, and adventure! :) Plus, we have an awesome trip planned to Kauai- with the NEADINGS!!!!- in November to add to our 2014 adventure fun.
It's bedtime here now. I meant to have them in bed by 9pm last night, but somehow it was 9:35 before they were actually in bed. I failed, but tonight Chas and Starks were lights out by 9pm. WOOHOO! Small, beautiful victory! I think Chas' being sick helps him not put up a fight for an early bedtime. Who knows, maybe they'll be rested enough for me to wrangle them for pictures! However, our morning is a delicate balance. I have to be aware of not barking out too many orders (eat your eggs, do your hair, brush your teeth, EAT) to keep peace. Yet, I have to bark out some orders to keep things moving in a fashion that ensures us getting out of the house with full bellies, smart looking dos, fairly good-smelling breath, and everything they need for school. (You'd shake your head if you knew how many times we've arrived at school with no shoes... no backpack... no PE clothes... no homework that was on the counter... it's embarrassing.) Plus, if we get into the truck late (usually Chas is the last- forgetting something or making multiple trips to find something), then there's panic from Starks that he will be late to school- as he's the last to get dropped off. We have said many a prayer on the ride to school that God will get us to school safely and on time! Starks' panic turns into his punishing his brothers by annoying them for the ENTIRE ride to "get back" at them for an event that has not even occurred. Sounds totally logical, right? All of that to say, there is A LOT going on in my brain in the mornings weighing and balancing my actions and words. Proper sleep helps them and me!
With that, I'll end. It was a great day. I didn't get a chance to miss my kids as I was just too busy. Tomorrow may be a different story. ;) I'm proud of my little men, though. As they are growing up and gaining independence, I'm pleased to see that they are developing into respectful, awesome young men. (May be "too early to call" for Starks. LOL.) I like who they are, and I'm not worried. They've got this growing up stuff, and I'm praying for guidance and revelation from God for anything I need to see and do. My loves.
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