The beginning of August means the end of summer break, and getting our last hurrah in before the grind of the life academic came rolling back in. We made one more visit to our furry, feathered, and scaled friends at the Zoo, finished up swim lessons, and spent some time learning and exploring with our friend, Gena at the Science museum, and went swimming in her pool.
August also meant back to school shopping, buying backpacks and supplies and, of course... the first day of school.
Larger Child began THIRD GRADE. He is a professional "first day of schooler" now. No problems, no hang-ups. Full of self confidence and excitement, he headed off to his day with a smile on his face and cheer in his heart.
Then, two weeks later, Smaller Child began Mother's Day Out. He had asked me every day since Big Bro started, "Do I get to go to school today??" So, I hoped he would be just as eager and excited when I finally got to answer that question with a resounding, "YES!" The morning came, we got LC off to school, then we came home and I began packing his backpack. He was STOKED! The whole way there he was chatty and full of questions. But, the one that came up the most often was, "Are you going to leave me there?" I was hesitant to answer, concerned by his reaction. I reassured him that I would ALWAYS come back, that he would have so much fun, and I would be there later to pick him back up.
We got to the school, and he took the long walk up the stairs. There was just something so precious and symbolic about his tentative steps. Climbing, insisting to do it on his own, up up up to his new adventure and incredible chapter in his life. It was pretty amazing to watch him. It was one of those moments where I got that teeny bit of reassurance in an otherwise crazy mind plagued with constant and incessant mom guilt, where I watched him take those steps with confidence and excitement and I could honestly say "I think we're doing okay."
Then we got to the classroom, he saw his teacher, found his name on the apple tree, took a seat at the table, and gave me this look... I cannot even describe it. It was the look of reassurance for ME I think. He hugged and kissed me and he was ready for me to go (as long as his trusty BFF doggie pal, Nelson, stayed with him)! And then I did.
I didn't fall apart in the car like I did when I dropped LC off at his first day of Mother's Day Out many moons ago. I just smiled and walked out. I knew this was going to be amazing for him. (and for me too, frankly. ha!) But, above everything else, I knew he was going to do just fine. He is such a strong, independent, incredible little human, sometimes much to my chagrin.
That brings us to September... We got in the swing of our new routines, got use to going to bed early, getting up early, and the rush rush of our days. So, of course, it was time to mix it up a little. LC, who is already a green belt, went back to Taekwondo in September, and for the first time SC went too! Can I just tell you how adorable it is to see a three year old learn how to do sit ups and push ups? It really doesn't get much cuter than that, folks. Bonus, he LOVES it too!
Well, that's the jest of it. Between school, taekwondo, homework, and all the rest of the day to days to keep up with, August and September have been a blur of car rides and chaos. It does seem that things are falling in to a routine now though. (Maybe time for another mix up?? though I think the upcoming holidays will do that for me just fine.) Time to usher in October, fall, pumpkins, costumes, candy, trick or treating... when does this slow down? I'm estimating a good 20 years at least. That's okay, we've got this!
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