First Day Jitters

Well, the first day for the school has come and gone and everyone is happy! Carter started grade 2 this year. He got Mrs. Johnson this year and we have heard nothing but good things from other parents about her! I walked Carter to his class on Tuesday and it took everything in my power not to start crying. My eyes welled up but I was able to hold it in. I was able to quickly meet his teacher and she seems super nice. I asked Carter if he was excited or nervous and he said a bit of both. I specifically asked him if he was nervous about which friends were or weren't going to be in his class this year and his response was very sweet. He quickly responded with "That doesn't make me nervous mom! I am friends with everyone!" I LOVE that last year at this new school the kids were encouraged not to have a specific group of friends but to just be friends with everyone and I love that it has worked so well for Carter.









Carter promised to make sure to take good care of Bentley if he noticed Bentley crying or upset or feeling nervous that he would be a good big brother and help him. They fought so much the last couple of weeks of summer that Im not sure I believe him, but I want to lol.



Bentley started Kindergarten today. He has Mrs. Ozimko and she too has some pretty wonderful reviews. It was staggered entry just for today so although Bentley does full day kindergarten every Monday, Wednesday and a couple Fridays a month, today was just a short day from 1:00pm-3:00pm. He too said he was both nervous and excited but not about anything specific. When I dropped him off I watched him find his hook, take his indoor shoes out of his backpack and place them on his little feet. He was independent and confident. He was excited to finally be at school. I on the other hand.. started crying. How embarrassing! Isn't it supposed to be easier after your first kid... what is wrong with me!? I watched him take a seat on the carpet next to a little girl named Georgia and they started to read books as I left the classroom.











My heart filled with sorrow and joy as Penny and I drove away from the school. I cant believe my kids are old enough to be in school (let alone one being in grade 2!) but I am elated to have this one on one time with just Penny. When we came home today, we painted her nails. She loves all things girly and painting her nails is at the top of her list! She then begged me to watch "Boss Baby" so I started it for her and then cleaned all the bathrooms and vacuumed while I quickly had the time.





When it was time to go get the boys, I let Penny know that we had to get in the van to go get them and immediately she started BAWLING! "I want to be home alone" ... "I don't want to get the boys" ... I nearly died in laughter. She was SOOOOOOOO enjoying her alone time. I cant imagine it will always be this way... she was only alone for 2 hours... I want to think that she will FOR SURE miss them when they're both gone the entire day.. right? I guess Heavenly Father knew what he was doing when he sent her last... life would have been a horrible transition for her had she been the first child.



Once we picked up the boys, the stories of their day started flying in. Carter had a blast playing soccer with all his friends, he read some books in class and said grade 2 is a little harder but he's excited because that means he's going to learn lots. Bentley mentioned that he also read books.... "for 100 minutes" (hahaha) I softly asked him if maybe it only felt like it was 100 minutes but maybe it wasn't actually and he said that made sense.. but it apparently REALLY did feel like 100 minutes lol. Nonetheless, he is still so excited to go back for a full day on Friday.

I feel so happy this year that our kids are in a school that we love. That they have great teachers who have good rapport. In fact, Bentley's kindergarten teacher has been teaching there for 29 years... at the same school. She even taught one of my best friends kindergarten! CRAZY to think about!

There is such sense of trust that you have to have when you drop your kid off to school. Its so important that you trust their teachers, their environment and the standards and expectations of the school. We learned the hard way last year what life can be like without that trust. This year is so different and we are happy.

Heres to another great year at a great school with not only one now but two crazy boys of ours!