The very first day.
Carter and I created a pretty fun system for lunch making too. I'll do this on the weekend and then through the week he can pack his own lunch! Awesome!
Bentley this year is starting preschool! He goes only twice a week. Tuesday and Thursday from 1:30pm-3:30pm. Yesterday was his very first day too. Because it was the first day, it was just an hour 1:30-2:30. I dropped him off and he never looked back. He felt completely comfortable and away he went. Parents were invited to stay for the first day for 30 minutes and so Penny and I did, but I really felt like he didn't even need us there. He was totally independent, doing his own thing, and LOVING it!
The day was busy. I had lots to do and lots of drop offs and pick ups to organize and even a meeting last night. Dropping off Carter to grade one was fun on day 1. He got up, ate breakfast, got dressed, brushed his teeth, we did his hair and then he packed his backpack with his lunch, drink and indoor shoes. He was excited, I was excited and it was a good first morning! The reality for me was that I was excited for a break. I was excited for him to see his friends, meet his new teacher and enjoy his first day. I didn't think much of it!
Carter did have a great first day! We picked him up at 2:45pm and he was excited to see us! He told me all about how his day went. He even said that he really did miss me so much that he almost cried.. but didn't. (My heart nearly exploded hearing that!!) He said the day felt "extra super long" but he loved it and was excited to go again today.
Bentley said preschool was so much fun too. He said they sang songs, read a story and played with the toys. Tomorrow is his first full two hours all by himself at preschool and I think he is going to rock it! He cannot wait to go back and make some new friends he said!
So all in all, the very first day of preschool and grade 1 was wonderful! Everyone was happy, this Mama got a little break (despite the anxiety of "day 1") and even in the evening, the boys played SO NICE all night long with no fighting! It was amazing!!!!!!
Now we are mid way through day 2 of grade 1 and well, it doesn't seem so easy. The morning went about the same. Clothes, teeth, breakfast, hair, backpack and walking over to the school. Once we got to the school, Carter grabbed my hand and looked up at me with those cute brown eyes and says "Mommy, I just want to hold you hand because I love you and my hands are cold". And that was hat! I held back my tears while standing there with all the other moms who were completely holding it together and watched as my sweet little 5 year old walked into the school like such a big kid. As I walked homed with Bentley and Penny (the moment I was out of sight from anyone else) I started crying. My heart ached that my little boy was off to school for the day. So independent. So grown-up, yet still knowing he still needs me if his hands get cold. It really did pull on my heart strings. Today, I miss him.
I am so so proud of Carter and Bentley. They are brave and strong and independent. I am so proud of their attitudes towards school and I know their attitudes may change and probably will but I am proud of them because their very first day of school was great and positive and what more could a mom ask for when she sends those little feet through those great big doors. Hopefully we have a great year ahead of us!
Penny girl isn't going to know what to do without her big brothers around 24/7 but I am really happy that her and Bentley will get time to be just the two of them and I am really excited to have a couple of hours a week where its just her and I! I was able to have some alone time with Bentley before Penny was born while Carter was in preschool and now I get some alone time with Penny while the boys are in school so that will be special for sure! I know that she will miss them like crazy.
I am thankful Bentley is home with me today and I cannot wait to pick up Carter in a few hours!