8th

Today was Brookie's turn.
First day of school for my girl.

Her outfit came in the mail yesterday afternoon.
Whew.

Like my boys,
she, too, insists on growing.

After we took the little boys to school yesterday,
she asked what we would be doing.
Ryan and I told her we were planning to do a little painting.

Her reply:
This is the worst last day of summer ever!

After we picked Jobie up and took them out to eat,
we ran a little errand.
We took Brookie to get her first phone.

Later on facebook she wrote:
Best last day of summer ever!
Finally got my first phone!

Funny how her tune changed.

She's so excited.
Even though her phone has no data plan.
But she does have unlimited texting.
Only because it comes with our plan.
That and the fact that I couldn't live without it.
Ha!

This morning before school.
I thought to myself.
I'm going to be ok today.

(Oh, Jobie.
Must you always?)

I gave Jobie a hug at his classroom door.
And watched from the hall for a bit.
He kept looking back at me.
So finally I waved.
He waved back.
I was still doing great.

Then...
He put his head down on his desk.
And cried.

Was not expecting that.

The teachers were busy with other students.
So, against my better judgement, I went to him.
He immediately hugged me and said:
Mommy, I want to stay with you!

I told him (thru my own tears):
Baby, you can't.
You have to stay at school.
And mommy has to leave.

At this point his teacher came over.
I sat him back in his seat.
Gave him one last hug and kiss.
Patted his teacher on the shoulder.
Walked out of the classroom.
And cried the whole way home.
And maybe for an hour or so after.

Not fun.
But tomorrow will be better.
We have our plan down.
Wish I would have had a plan for today.

Tomorrow we will be all smiles.

K, 2nd & 7th

My boys.
All growing up so quickly.

First day of school for 2012.
First day of school for my baby.

It was an emotional day for me.
A shocking admission, I'm sure...ha!

(I'm telling Ezra to please stop swatting my bottom.
Sometimes he just gets so excited.
He can't control himself.)

We had walked almost half way to school
When I finally said:
Jobie, aren't you going to hold my hand?

Then, just before we got to the doors he said:
Mommy, can we quit holding hands now?

 But at least he let us get another pic or two.

We dropped Ezzie off in his room first.

Then walking through the halls to Jobie's room,

he grabbed my hand once again.

Before I was ready, we were at his classroom door.

He found his seat.

And sat down.

Ready to start his day.

And I managed to keep my brave face on.
Until I walked out of his classroom.

Ryan took the day off.
To comfort me.
Some comfort he is.
He says things to make me cry more.
Like: well, how does it feel to have your very last baby in school?
And: didn't he look so cute?
Then he tries to hug me.
Which will only makes me cry more.

Meany.

Brookie doesn't start until tomorrow.
So I had 2 people home with me today.

Tomorrow.
I'll be walking home by myself.
Tomorrow.
Might be harder than today.

I'm so proud of Jobie.
(Just a few short months ago,
he was insisting he did not want to go to school.)
And I really am looking forward to the ability to
1) visit the restroom uninterrupted
2) make phone calls uninterrupted
3) grab my bag and run out of the house
    without searching for little people socks and shoes

But, man, is the house going to seem quiet.

Until...
I find an amazing station on Pandora.
Crank up the music.
And sing as loudly as I want.
Uninterrupted.

A Birthday and the First Days of School

Yesterday was big for Ezzie.
It was his 7th birthday.
And the first day of school.
He could not sleep the night before.
Too much excitement for a little guy.

When he got to school,
his teacher asked if he wanted to wear the b-day sticker all day.
Or just when I brought his treats later..
He wanted to wear it all day.
Insuring him lots of attention, I'm sure.In the afternoon, his class sang "Happy Birthday" to him.
And he got to wear a special hat.
Doesn't he look excited about it?He could have worn the hat the last 1/2 hour of the day.
But he declined.
Sticker is one thing.
Hat is another, I guess.

Presents always make a kid smile big.
Jakie has two frogs and a mini turtle.
Ezzie has been wanting a pet for awhile now.

His last present was a box with fish food in it.
He looked at it.
And looked at it.
And finally said.
You got me a fish?
Were is it?
I will always remember how he said it.
One of those memories to treasure.They were waiting for him in his room.
7 fish.
Finally pets of his own.
Brookie helped him name them last night.
They wrote them all down.
He took the list to school this morning.
You need to share these things with your friends.

1st grade.
Yesterday was a big day for Brookie too.
First day in Junior High.
Can you hear my sigh?
She was nervous.
Very unlike her.
She didn't even eat breakfast.
Glad I went all out and bought Toaster Strudels.

7th grade.Jobie did not want to be left out.
I had to lay out clothes for him the night before too.
Yet he insists he is not going to school next year.
Today was Jake's 1st day.
He did not want his picture taken.
But mom wins.
Kinda.
The boy would not give me a good smile.

6th grade.His sister stepped in and tried to help.
Yah.
That always works.
Then his best friend showed up.
With the hot rod.
That was all it took to get a genuine smile.Sweet ride.
Great first day of school tradition.Another summer that flew by.
One more year with my baby.
Then off he goes too.

Scary thought.
Exciting thought.

First Days of School

The first day of school
this year
was nothing like the first day of school
last year.

It was not at all relaxing.
But they all made it.
And I somehow survived.

It was a day of firsts for everyone.

First off, Lara.
First day in an American school.Next, Jake.
First day at a new school. Then, Ezra.
First day ever.Finally, the next day, Brookelynn.
First day at new school.Assessments from the first day.

Lara: Boring.
As a new student, she watched videos all day.
About the school district, the school itself, etc.

Jake: Hated it.
He couldn't get his locker open.
His brand new locker shelf broke.
One of his best friends is in a class across the school.

Ezra: Loved it.
He did not want to come home.
And told me that he wouldn't have.
But he was really hungry and wanted lunch.
He only goes half day for the first 7 weeks.

Brookelynn: I felt so grown-up.
She moves from class to class.
Has friends in every class.

And today?
Today finally feels like things have slowed down a little.
I read books to Jobe.
He watched Sesame Street for the first time since May.
I'm trying to organize pictures from the summer.
It's been nice.

This Morning

Was hard.

7:15.
Took an overwhelmed Lara to the high school.
Made sure she could still get into her locker.
Helped her locate her first class.
Left her looking scared out of her mind.

7:35.
Rushing back home.
Hoping to make it before Jake was picked up.
Train.
Waiting.
Tapping the steering wheel.
Waiting.
I'm sure it was the longest train.
Ever.

7:47.
Pull into drive.
Missed Jakie.
Ezzie jumping up and down in driveway.
Backpack on.
So excited.
So nervous.
Walk to school.
Across our field of dewy grass.
Soggy grassy feet.
Half way there realize Brookie isn't with us.
She was really wanting to take Ezzie the first day.
(she starts school tomorrow)
Me: Where's Brookie?
Hubby: In bed.
She is not going to be happy when she wakes up.

8:05.
Leave Ezzie.
Crying.
Me.
Not him.

Ryan: Jobie, aren't you going to miss Ezzie?
Ryan: He's in good hands.
Ryan: Jobie, you'll be going to school in two years.
Thinking it's funny to say things to make me cry.
More.

Pictures will come tomorrow.
When I am more composed to look at them.

Now this mama is going to read some books to her 3 year old.
Before her daughter wakes up.
Angry that she missed all the excitement.