first day of school

wow.  we're here.  we made it.  jb at school.  real school.

kindergarten!  

it's a little surreal, but boy, is it time.  the kid is ready, has been ready, i've been more than ready.

we've had a rough couple of months.  i think with jb and dyl spending every moment together, there's been more fighting, teasing, tattling and whining than what - i dunno - i guess my cup runneth over!  jack, too!

to kick-off the year, jb's school hosted a back-to-school picnic.  a few days later was kindergarten roll-in, where they take two kiddos at a time, let them see the classrooms, play with the toys, get comfortable, really, and then perform a few "tests" to see where each child is at; fine & gross motor, physical movements and then asking them some simple questions.  i was busy filling out a packet of papers, but i couldn't help but listen when they asked who lived at home.  ummm, dada and mama, duey, baby tess, beanie.  and do you have any pets?  ummm, no.  but we do have a bulldog named beanie.  she's white and has polkadots.  she sleeps a lot.  so cute.  i can only imagine all the answers they get to that question.

roll-in day

i'm eager to see how much closer his head is to that sign at the end of the year...

the following week, we found out which class jb ended up in (there are 3 kindergarten classes) and on wednesday was kindergarten orientation.  we were able to visit his room, see his cubby and play with some of the toys.  jb went straight for the wooden blocks, building towers and ramps.  then, he found the wooden pieces & marbles.  fun!  the dude loves to build!

had to include a picture of myself.  

i hope to have reduced fine lines by end of year... here's to wishful thinking!

the very next day was the actual first day of school.  and because i was taking jackie to all the prior events, ben was the one to bring him on this day.  i wanted to be sad about it, but we had many visits together.  if i had been thinking, i would have taken pictures the night before.  or maybe after his first day.  

my jackie.  

not too much of a morning person.

(note to self: include this picture in the senior slideshow and/or yearbook)

these two.  

peas in a pod!

ok, finally some smiles!

dylan.  we changed schools and started her in a more rigid program.  she was so excited, especially since learning we knew a friend in her class!  she is currently going two days a week, but as i type this out, i'm having second thoughts.  jackie was planning to ride the bus, giving me a little breathing room between drop-off times, but he has since changed his mind.  i'm fine with driving him, but here are my dilemmas:  they both start at the same time, 8:30; she's done at 11:30; he's done an hour later.  doesn't give me much time at home, and today, after being in my rig half the morning, waking tess twice, ugh, i'm already over it!  i'm feeling bad about pulling her, but she is only three and a half.  i think next year, when he's in school all day, i could justify the busy morning if i had a quiet afternoon to look forward to...

ben called me after he left a very comfortable jackie.  he said as soon as the kiddos put their bags away, slipped on their inside shoes and washed their hands, they got to work cutting veggies.

thursday, soup day!  

all the kiddos had their own cutting board with veggie cutter.  super-cute.  after a few minutes, jb told him:  dad, GO!  piece of cake, right?!  well...

i assumed the second day, he'd tell me to drop him off a block away!  ha!  well, it was a little more serious.  as much as i was excited that he was going to school, i was feeling guilty.  on this day, it hit me.  seeing his fears, his uneasiness, it tugged at my heart.  tears welled in his eyes as he looked up at me, quietly pleading with me to stay.  

i had tess in my arms, dyl's arms wrapped around my leg, jackie's arms around my neck!  i stayed composed as he was unraveling, but he held it together during the coat hang up, the shoe changing, the lunchbox station.  he made it to the circle rug, and i waved as i slipped out the door - but not before seeing him drop his head into his hands.  

i couldn't stop the tears as i walked down the long hallway.  i think what really got me was the line of mothers, walking in almost perfectly spaced fashioned, down the hallway and up the stairs.  alone.  no little 5-6 year old buddies with them.  it hit home:  

this little dude is now a kindergartener!

and, he's ready.