The First Day of School | Letting Her Go…

Well, here we are again. Middle of the night. I can’t seem to sleep. I got myself some hot tea and grapes (weird combo??) and I’m ready to type out all the random thoughts. This has been a big week for us! And well for a lot of people I am sure. The first week of school! Of real school! Like a legit kindergartner! Who’d of thought we would ever get here?? I mean I know we would be here but ahhhhh. How did 5 years go by so fast? I was feeling very anxious about it. Not for her sake but for mine. I know I’ve been very lucky to have gotten the last 5 years with her. I didn’t have to go back to work after she was born and we loved home schooling last year so she has been by my side for 5 years. Day in, day out. So the anxiety of letting go of that had started to build. And not to be dramatic but once they leave for school it’s like they are gone for the rest of their life. Hahah (yes, yes, I know that’s super over the top) but seriously! They will basically be in school for the rest of the time they live with you and then they will be gone. Elementary, middle, high school, college, move out. ALL THE SAD FACE EMOJIIS.

BUT

Then you remember how excited they are and how much you love seeing them learn and grow and well, your sadness doesn’t really seem to matter all that much in light of that.

We decided to send her to the most wonderful little classical school near us which we totally fell in love with. The teachers, headmaster, parents and kids feel like a big ol’ family all striving for the same goals and we couldn’t be happier to be a part of that. It really, really helps sending them off on their day when you totally support and trust the school they are going to. This is in no way a dig to public school or any other type of schooling. For us this is just where we fit best for this year. We decided early on that we would never make a decision and say this was it for all of school. Every year we will prayerfully ask where we are supposed to be. Anyway, nearing school I could tell Rowan was getting a little bit nervous. I knew she would love it but she also is very sensitive so after much hype all week (school picnic, kindergarten meet up, parent orientation, convocation) I could hear it in her voice when she talked that the unknown was starting to seem a bit scary. We talked through a bunch of stuff and I assured her she was going to love it and that no, you didn’t need to know all the presidents names to start kindergarten. Where she got that idea? School does start a bit earlier than we are used to in our house so that is almost the bigger challenge for everyone. The first morning I woke her up she looked at me and said “I didn’t know I would have to get up THIS early”. Poor girl. Me either sister, me either. Ugh. We are not morning people.

The first day went off with out a hitch. I went to pick her up on the first day but she was insistent on taking the bus home with her friends (ouch). Message received little one. She obviously didn’t have as hard of a time being away as I did. It was so sweet though, seeing her climb onto that little short bus with her buddies and head off for home. I just scooted home to meet her there. Poor girl has a bit of a ride though, she is the last one off but she doesn’t seem to mind. The bus driver calls her “Ms. Chatty”. I better watch what I say in front of Rowan now, she is airing all our secrets to the bus driver. Hahaha. I was really praying for a sweet older lady to be the bus driver. Don’t ask me why. That’s just what I wanted. Prayer answered! The bus driver is amazing- makes me feel a little more comfortable with her being on the bus so long.

Change is good. It can be tough but always helps us grow and our character to strengthen. So excited for this new year for her. You really can’t experience much more joy as a parent then watching your children learn new things and develop into these wonderful little beings. It’s pretty awesome. I just need to figure out how to be a responsible parent of a school aged child. haha. All the folders and papers and school things to keep track of. Oh man. I need some help 😉 Like seriously- how do you keep track of everything?

Wishing all your Mama’s with kids in school a very happy 2015-2016 school year!!

FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL

p.s. she may have to wear a uniform (which I am convinced makes her look 1000x cuter. Not sure how that is possible?) but we found the best back to school items at T.J.Maxx for her. She was dead set on finding a purple backpack to match her uniform and because I wanted to stay clear of the ol’ character themed Elsa bag, I happily dug around the store to find the perfect one. They had a great selection of backpacks to chose from. I don’t know why but I just love the plain ol’ classic Jansport backpack. It’s so nostaglic. We also were able to find her the cutest shoes for fall and winter. She is feeling pretty grown up with a pair of her very own tall “leather” boots. So cute!