First Day

The kids started school last Friday. I won't lie. I was overjoyed. And they were, too.


Anna Katherine headed off to the middle school to begin seventh grade this year. (I still have trouble comprehending that, since it was seriously just yesterday that I walked her to her kindergarten classroom.) As seems to be the pattern lately, I don't have as many photos of my eldest child on this day. (I think it just comes with the age. It's not about favoritism, I promise.) I just had a strong suspicion she wouldn't exactly appreciate her Mama escorting her into the school and taking photos of her teachers and classrooms.

And I'm pretty sure my suspicions would have been accurate. In fact, as I was packing lunches for school, Anna Katherine kindly requested that I not put "one of those notes" in her lunchbox. (For the past few years, I've made it a tradition to put a little card in her lunch for the first day of the new school year. But she very delicately let me know that last year the card was passed all around the table at lunch.) I was TOTALLY planning to write a note this year, but in my best effort to be a cool Mama, I played it off and said, "Oh, I wouldn't even think of it." It's the end of an era. Children inevitably become teens.

Ben started kindergarten this year in our public schools.


I realize most Mamas are emotional about their little ones going to kindergarten. This was a joyous event, since we're experiencing it for a second round. (Last year he was at a local church kindergarten.) We're just calling this his "post-graduate" studies. His summer birthday combined with the fact that he is of the male gender, combined with the fact that another year of maturity would be beneficial...well, it's a no-brainer. And I do love me some kindergarten...no homework and loads of fun. I mean, look at his cute classroom and his sweet, smiling teacher.








The kids both reported a fabulous first day. Anna Katherine loved changing classes seven times and having new friends in each class. Ben loved recess and the reading chairs with the tennis balls. (see photo below)



I also had a "first day" at school on Friday. Anna Katherine took my photo as we were leaving the house.

Although I'm not really attending school, I'm working in a few schools at a neighboring school district two days a week. They needed a physical therapist to fill in back in May, and I offered to help. I ended up loving it, and the job was offered to me for this school year.

So while Walt is at his two-day preschool and the bigger kids are in school, I'll be at school, too. And although I may not get an official recess, I have a feeling I'm going to be having some fun with the precious kids I'll be seeing for therapy.