First Day of school 2009-2010

I can't believe how busy I have been since I dropped the kids off yesterday! I am really dropping the blogging ball!

In the weeks leading up to school, I had mainly been excited about the year and anxious to find out the kids' teachers.  Like an impending hurricane, I knew the waterworks were going to hit, I just didn't know when and where!  Well, after a day of non stop errand running the day before school, I sat on the couch with all three children tucked in bed and sobbed.  It was just so hard to imagine saying goodbye to Mary Beth.  Especially after cutting off her long curls, she is looking and acting much more grown up.   It is hard to be ready to say goodbye to my baby girl.

It also hit me that this was the last year I would receive a phone call from Matthew's teacher telling me how excited she was to have Matthew in class.  I am pretty sure they don't do that in intermediate school!  With so many emotions running through me, I didn't get much sleep the night before school.  And for whatever reason, I got really sad thinking of Thomas being a 2nd grader.  Wasn't he just a kindergartner last year?  It really feels like that to me.  After school starts, the years melt away.

By the time that 6 a.m. rolled around yesterday, I felt much better.  One look at my excited Mary Beth made me feel so happy for her.  She was so ready to go and join her brothers.  We had a great morning of picture taking, breakfast eating, and some prayer time as well.  Then, the 5 of us got in the car to head to school together.  Again, the last time that this will ever happen!

When we got to school, Mary Beth found a wild flower in the grass and picked it to give to her teacher.  Instead, she found the principal waiting for her at the entry, and she gave the flower to him.  A very good first impression!  We all walked her to class, helped her find her seat, gave hugs and kisses, then left.  I left her room feeling so much pride for my sweet Emmy Lou.  She was just so confident and excited.  Not a bit of trepidation.  She is definitely ready for this new adventure in her life.

Next was Thomas's turn.  He is so excited about being in 2nd grade and also being a part of a special group of kids.  We have a large elementary school and the odds of having several good friends in his class was pretty small.  He is with several best friends as well as parent friends of mine.  Thomas loves his teacher, and I know it will be a great year for him.

Finally, it was our big man on campus, Matthew's turn to head to class.  Matthew's teacher is a coaches wife and a huge sports fan.  Matthew and Mrs. W talked on the phone last week and spent a lot of time talking about football.  Of course, this won huge points with Matthew, and he already adores his teacher.  I have enjoyed getting to know her, and we hit it off right away.  Matthew also had several sweet neighbors/friends in his class, and I think this year will be wonderful for him to finish off elementary school.

After drop off, I went and had breakfast at Starbucks with some friends, and then headed to work all day.  I only had one patient this summer, but just this week started getting evaluation notices.  It was nice to keep busy yesterday.  I wasn't quite ready for the empty house.

Well, 3 o'clock couldn't get here any faster!  I walked over to the kid pick up and was thrilled to see 3 happy faces!  Matthew and Thomas think it's going to be the best year ever.  Mary Beth also had a great day.  She said, "I made a sad face.  My teacher asked me what was wrong.  I said I missed my mama.  Then she said she loved me."  Other than that one mama missing moment, she had a great day!  

I am feeling much happier today, and have enjoyed the peace and quiet that my kid free house has to offer.  Still, I am anxious to pick up the kids and see how Day 2 went!

I love that Mary Beth's back pack takes up half her body!  I know that this picture will make me smile as she gets bigger and bigger! Day 2:  Mary Beth was showing a girl, who was sick yesterday, where to put her lunch box.  She is already a kindergarten pro!

What a bittersweet, joyful, tearful, special day this has been.  I must admit that I am emotionally and physically worn out.  I'll try to write the story tomorrow.  At the end of the day, I was happy to meet up with 3 very happy little Barnhills at school.  What a blessing, and what a fun year this is going to be!

In the few