His first day in the Threes

After talking about starting a new school for about a month or so, Jack’s first day in the threes at Eastminster Day School was here.  What?!  He woke to a garland of gold stars for the gold star student!!, (“Hey, who put those stars there?”) and we sped along through the morning routine.He HAS to be in the classroom by 9:00 (big change for mommy!), so we made sure to pack lunch the night before (he loved that part and it was pretty much a mommy dream come true!) and headed out the door with some time to spare.  I had all these pictures in mind, but I was determined to be on time, and he was loaded down with a bookbag half his size full of school supplies (that were SO fun to buy!), so we got the traditional in front of the door shot and hopped in the car.  Look at our big boy!  This big day also happened to be his three-and-a-half year-old birthday, so I think he was feeling extra brave.First, we headed to church to drop Sam off in his brand new naps-on-cots-and-drinks-from-cups classroom.  We saw one of Jack’s little buddies, and they excitedly waved at each other.  That’s when I thought Jack was going to get sad about leaving his friends (I was!), but instead he said, “Mom, do you think Reece will be sad today without me?”  “No, buddy.  I think he’ll have a great day!”  And he said, “Good, me too!  And I’m NOT gonna cry when we get to my new school!”  And he was right!  We pulled up to Eastminster and I gave him a big pep-talk.  Turns out, I was the one that needed it.  We started to walk up the path and I got my camera out.The lens was fogged up, so I stopped to clean it, and he turned to say, “Come on, mom!  Let’s go!”  Oh, goodness.  We saw Erin and Chole on our way in, and she was doing good, so I got a boost of confidence.  Thanks, Erin!We made it to Mrs. Rachel’s class on time, so we had a minute to get settled before I had to be peeled away leave.  He put his lunchbox in it’s spot, hung his bookbag in his cubby, we took a picture, and then we hugged. I did brush his hair, but every time I do, he messes it up and says, “I like it crazy, mom.”

He squeezed me pretty tight, and I him of course!, and then one of his assistant teachers came and asked if he wanted to read a book.  And then he let go.  He just let go.  And that’s when I told him for the millionth time that morning how much I loved him and how proud he makes us-and then I had to leave before he saw my face.  That was hard.  How in the WORLD am I going to handle Kindergarten! I snuck a couple pictures through the door,and then got in the car and called Mark.  And cried.  And he told me all the things my head knows but that make my heart want to run right back in and grab that boy and never let him go.  But this is good for him.  And so I drove away.
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When I came back to pick him up, he ran to me with open arms and a big smile, and then monkey-hugged me really tight with a, “Mommy!!!”  OH, that does my heart good!!  And when we got his bookbag, he opened it and said, “Hey, Mrs. Rachel took all my things!”  Guess I forgot to tell him that he doesn’t have to carry all those supplies with him all year long!

We came home to our traditional first day of school cookie chat (with our favorite Oatmeal Chocolate Chip cookies this time!) but this year he was way more into the cookies than the chat.  His answers to “What did you do at school today?” and “Who did you sit with at lunch-time?” were nothing and nobody.  Ok, so we’ve gotta work on that!I could tell, though, that it was a great day.  And for that, I’m so thankful!  Jack, you’re going to learn so much this year!  Be a good listener, a good student, and a good friend!  I’m so excited for you and forever grateful that I have a front row seat!