Back to School 2018

We have spent the past two weeks cramming in all the summer fun we could, but yesterday it was finally time to meet the boys teachers. Rowan has been enthusiastically counting down the days for until school starts for months now. Zane was much less excited about heading back, but did finally get excited about finding out who his teacher would be.

Here we are waiting to get inside. Lots of Zane's friends came and gave him hugs, checking in on how he is doing. The principle was at the door and was very excited to him. The last time he was in this school he was tired and afraid. We left the last day of school with lots of hugs, well wishes, and prayers for our difficult journey ahead. It was amazing to return with my once again healthy and happy kiddo, this time getting excited hugs from all his favorite people. Being able to tell everyone he is better than new was truly a joy. It is a blessing I know lot of heart families don't get the opportunity to have and made the day doubly emotional for me. 

 As we started into the school I could feel little Rowan going from super excited to ever so slightly anxious. Having had a kid in kindergarten before there were a few nerves on my part as there were a few kindergarten teachers I was hoping he would get. In amazing news Rowan got Mrs. Dooley as his teacher. She was the teacher in the classroom next to Zane's kindergarten class so I know her, of course Zane knows her, and Rowan recognized her as well. She was also teacher of the year last year for Deer Creek so I am confident she is in wonderful hands. Once we made it to her classroom Rowan become pretty shy, but did well introducing himself to his teacher and helped unpack all his supplies. He was excited to see that one of his teammates from baseball is in his class so he already knows a friend. I would find out later in the day that a friend of mines daughter, who Rowan has met and played with before, is also in his class so he started with two friends.

 Then on to Zane's class. This is our first go around with second grade which means I try hard to have no preconceptions about any teachers. I don't ask any of my parent friends who they had or who they like, I just trust the system and it has worked wonderfully so far. Zane's teacher's name is Mrs. Moore. When we got to her classroom she started introducing herself to Rowan, I said, "yes this is Rowan, he is Zane's brother, Zane is going to be in your class." She was frankly a little surprised and said, "Oh wow I thought he was in fourth grade." To be fair Zane is almost as tall as she is and a giant so it's usually pretty shocking. Mrs. Moore seemed very nice, not over the top perky, but very friendly and kind. Zane was excited he gets his own desk to put his supplies in this year and as he was unpacking everything I started looking at the names on the desk next to him, trying to find names I remember. Imagine my surprise when the next right next to him was none other than the his arch nemesis from kindergarten, who shall remain nameless. Loyal readers of the blog remember this constant kindergarten drama. I DIED laughing, Zane's quote when he saw it was priceless, "all hope is lost." We have since discussed how much he has grown and how he isn't the same kid he was in kindergarten so we are sure Miss O isn't either. Side note, this little girl was one of the last people he saw on the last day of school last year. She gave him a huge hug and wished him good luck. She is actually very sweet I'm sure it will be fine.

Then off we went, Zane had a few more teachers to find to give hugs to. Mrs. Laurick is right across for Rowan's classroom so he went to say hi to her and he found all his very special, specials teachers to give hugs to and update everyone on his amazing health and recovery. I think I was more teary eyed watching how happy Zane was to tell everyone how well he was doing, and witnessing the amazing love that surrounds him at school, than the idea of Rowan starting school. That came later in the day as Rowan became more cuddling and emotional. Lots of emotions, lots of changes, all good though so I can handle that.

The theme this year is The Greatest School on Earth, a take on The Greatest Showman the movie. So after toddler lunch with Abbey's crew we brought MJ home with us to watch it. I was surprised by how much I loved it. I love the inspirational quotes from the movie that line the halls of their school. My personal favorite being this one, which Zane refused to pose with, but sums up his little life perfectly.

Rowan and I got lots of cuddles in yesterday as his emotions went from ecstatic to start school to scared, to sad because "I'm just don't want you to be alone Mamma." Rowan and I have had lots of wonderful time together over the past two years. When Zane was in Kindergarten he had nine solid months of just him and I. That was precious time. He took care of me when I was pregnant with T. We cuddled and napped together. We went on very low key, calm, adventures, which he was perfectly happy with. Once Thatcher was born he thrived in his roll as big brother. This past year he was my constant helper and an amazing big brother to Thatcher. They played together and keep each other wonderfully entertained. This summer Rowan took on the big brother role to both brothers. He was checking in on everyone, cuddling me when I needed it, playing with Thatcher when he needed to be entertained, and diligently waiting for the day he could play with Zane again. Everyone had their own struggles over the past six months, and due to this Rowan sadly missed out on a lot of the pre-kindergarten celebrations with everything else going on. I did the best I could these past few weeks, taking him to lots of fun places, and he was such a great sport through everything. I am desperately going to miss him and his wonderful cuddles now that he is in school.

This morning the boys were up bright and early at 6:15am. We had eaten our costmary biscuits and gravy breakfast and were dressed by seven thirty. That would be amazing on a normal day, but school starts later on Wednesday in our school district which meant we had an hour and a half to kill before we could leave for school. Rowan went through his whole range of emotions during this hour. He was mad, he was sad, he was over it, he was bored, he was excited. If it hadn't been so sad it would have been really hysterical. Finally it was time for pictures and to load up to go to school.

There were a few tears from both of us this morning. As I hugged my tiny little boy I let him cry for a minute then I said, "Rowan what can we do?" His response "hard things!" He excitedly remembered this, as though he had briefly forgotten this over the past few weeks when our quota of hard things we had to do has plummeted, praise God. We agreed we could cry and hug for a minute then it was on to being brave and kind and doing hard things!

Shout out to Grammie for sending money for new shirts. She sent Rowan $20 so he bought two shirts (this being one of them) and then had enough money left over so Zane could buy one as well. Choose Kind! Thanks Grammie they both looked very handsome today. Rowan's spikey front hair is a new style he came up with one his own yesterday and then came out looking like this again today. He looks 100% five years old and ready for kindergarten.

 I am amazed I got a shot with all three of them outside. I didn't set out to even try to get all of them in a picture, Thatcher just really wanted to be part of the fun.

 So glad they will have a few years at the same school.

 The first day of school is crazy town and I have learned over the past two years your best bet is to just show up super early and sit in the parking lot for a while to avoid parking in a muddy ditch. That's what we did this morning and it worked out lovely. We had plenty of time for hugs and pictures while we waited in line.

 While waiting to go inside I told Rowan "remember you're on bus number 20 at the end of the day." Zane proceeded to freak out and quickly correct me that they are actually on bus eight. That was a near crisis since I had put bus 20 (our old bus from our other house in this neighborhood) on all Rowan's paperwork.

 Rowan walked boldly towards his room once we got inside. One of the things he was scared of last night was not being able to find his room again. So I told him once he got to the library go the direction of the hand he writes with, he kept telling himself that all morning, and found his classroom perfectly by himself. Usually on the first day of school the kids go to the playground and you aren't able to go into their classrooms. I remember this being a little sad on Zane's first day of kindergarten. So I was happy to here that due to all the rain (thanks dad) we were going to be able to walk them to their classes to say good bye.

 I walked in with Rowan, corrected his bus number, then gave him big hugs. We had had our tears earlier in the morning and yesterday (remember my pre crying method) so this was pure excitement. Zane was waiting outside the room with T, but he asked if he could go give Rowan hugs. Zane I think is just a little sad that he won't be spending his days with Rowan anymore. After a brother hug Rowan waved good bye to us and then we were off to Zane's room. Just like that he's in school. I made a concerted effort to not think about how many years of school lie before him and just focus on the excitement of kindergarten. One day at a time is the best motto for me.

 It was also really nice to have Zane there to give me hugs and hold my hand as I left Rowan in his classroom. Zane is the most loving kid, I just adore him. Zane gave me a big hug before walking into his class. I didn't go in with him, I know he is much too big for that. Zane has grown so much, not just physically, but emotionally as well these past few months. I think we've turned the corner and officially have our happy boy back. I hope that doesn't change now that he is going back to school. At the end of school he was less than happy to say the least. I just pray he has a wonderful, calm, fun, amazing year this year. No big surprises please universe!

 And then there was one, I walked out of school with Thatcher feeling lighter and with the distinct feeling that I was forgetting something, like pieces of me were missing. I know there are a lot of people who can't wait for school to start again. They are ready for their kids to be out of their hair, to have some piece and quiet after the craziness of summer. I have to admit I had moments were I felt this over the past six weeks or so, but for the most part I hate to see them go. I feel lonely and sad without my boys. For all their craziness and loudness they truly are my favorite people to be with and they fill my days with so much joy. As we drove out of the parking lot Thatcher let out the saddest little "bye" as he waved at the school. Break my heart to pieces!

Thatcher and I had a good day. We went to get a few things after drop off and Thatcher chatted up everyone at the store. I think he will start talking much better now that I have all day to dedicate to repeating words to him, I said water a hundred times today at least. Then we headed home for lunch and naps. I took a glorious nap, organized some cabinets, and eventually realized I was going to need to play music or something because I can't handle the dead silence in the house without the big boys.

Thatcher and I had lots of fun, but we were ready for Zane and Rowan to get home. 

Rowan apparently almost missed the bus from school, not sure why, but he made it home and proclaimed "it was the best day ever!" So I take that as a success. Both kids reported what they had done that was kind, including talking to/playing with the new kids in their class and helping people who fell down. They were starving and thirsty, over all thrilled about the day they had had. 

I could tell Rowan was tired and he did end his night in a teary mess about missing me, so we shall see how tomorrow goes. It's a tough change for everyone involved. The first day is lots of fun, but reality will set in when he realizes he has to go everyday. Zane also ended his night in a teary mess about missing his best friend who went to a different school. There is no easy way to deal with that, it just plain stinks and I hate it for him. He is great at making friends, but he and this particular friend were two of a kind, not everyone you meet is that kind of buddy. 

So we begin again tomorrow, wish us luck. Prayers for a safe, happy, fun year at school for my sweet boys. I am so proud of them for being such awesome kids.