First Day of School...

Last week we started school.
It was not easy... for any of us!

Just as we were all feeling settled into our home, the summer schedule, our current life, another change.

That is life, you start to feel comfortable, then things change!

We have had a wonderful summer.
As September has drawn near we have gone to the new middle school meet with counselors, take a building tour, put supplies in lockers and walk classes.
We have been to the elementary school for a 'new family' orientation.  We went back to drop off school supplies and medicine.

It all has been a little unsettling.  New is different and different is uncomfortable sometimes.  We have all felt unsettled with this new beginning.

The little boys have been more open to the change.  They like their new school, they know a couple of people on the bus and in class.  They have seemed confident, a little anxious, but confident.

We were outside early to watch for the bus, after a good breakfast and pictures, of course!

PS - E told me when he got home that he had his shorts on backwards all day, but no one noticed!

Hello!  How did he not notice!?  Apparently he can pull these up and down without undoing the button and zipper!

Oh these cute boys!  I'm so glad they have each other!
It is a little unnerving sending my kids to school, to strangers, at this point!  I don't know these teachers, I don't know these people yet!
I had a tummy full of jitters all day long.
One more kiss for love and surety, then off they went!

The big kids have had a harder time with this whole 'moving schools' thing.
This day, for them, I imagined being full of a bit more drama!
Not the normal excitement of school starting, but the resistance to the new in front of them.  New people, teachers, curriculum, building, schedules, bus ride.
I am their cheerleader and from the moment we started the day I was encouraging and supporting, helping them to remember that they can do this, change isn't bad, it can be exciting.
They surprised me with their maturity and calm.

I know they were both nervous and anxious, but we go forward regardless.
Another good breakfast and more pictures.

These two are hot and cold with each other as they continue to get older.  

First day there was nice hot cocoa love!  I like that they can depend on each other in a situation like this.  They sat near each other on the bus and encouraged each other.  

I don't care how old my kids get, I love and kiss them all before they leave me!

I sent them off and waited to feel some sort of relief... you know, the sigh... I have a quiet house again, I can clean and it will stay, I only have to make myself lunch, I can get some work done...

I didn't feel it!  This year I seemed to be a bit paralyzed by the quiet.

I am in my own realm of 'new' and need to find my rhythm again.  

I felt lonely, a little sad and anxious about this first day.

My relief, my sigh, didn't come until all my kids got off the bus.

Seeing their smiles put me at ease a bit!

The little boys seemed to like it, not 100% sold until day two.

They like to have recess every day.  I love that too!  That is different for them.

O wasn't so sure about his teacher day 1, but was good for the rest of the week.

E is just happy!

The rest of the week was pretty smooth sailing for the little two.

They had a bounce house on Friday, for summer reading, and looked forward to that all week.

Q and G came off the bus smiling, but had mixed feelings.

Day two came back reported as a bad day and they both had a list of things.

Q doesn't like to be looked at as 'the new girl', still wasn't sure where classes and the cafeteria were.

G had a myriad of things go wrong like forgetting his trumpet, going to the wrong class room, going to the wrong class, who he sat next to at lunch.

They both had a bad bus ride home!

That afternoon (Wed) they were both so frustrated and told me they hate this school, they want to go back to the other!

I assured them that once things settle down they will be fine.  Of course we want to go back to what we know, it is more comfy that way, we don't have to stretch ourselves.

And we are still working out the quirks, that takes more than two days!

It is hard to see my kids feel this way, not really confident and self assured.

Matt reminded me that if this is the hardest thing our kids have to go through... they have it pretty good!  This will prove to be a good challenge and change for them.

But, it is hard as their momma, to watch them struggle.

I believe I am doing the best thing for them, sending them off to school with laughter and courage, the reminder that they are glorious; and then being here when they come home, to help them through issues, to reassure them with love, to bring laughter and light back into their days.  I am so grateful to be here with my kids.  A good snack helps too!

Day three (Thurs) was reported to be the best day... thus far!

We added prayer to our morning schedule!  Taking time to ask for that divine power, support and protection was rewarded.  When we ask in faith, our Father will give.  

We will do this each morning, with little's then big's.

Friday was better too.

We are finding our way.  We will get there!

I am proud of all my kids for pushing through.  There have been talks, loves, snuggles and reassurance.  We can do hard things!  And they are.  And they will succeed!

Here is to the beginning of a new school year!

Now if I can just find my way...