True Confessions of a Ridiculously Hysterical Mother

 

Orientation was the beginning of the end.  It was about a week ago and the panic had just begun to set in.  It started with butterflies in my tummy and led to me crying hysterically for four straight hours after my first experience as a kindergarten parent.  The kids were so excited about starting school but every time I thought about it I had to choke back sobs.  My eyes well up just thinking about it now.  I could barely get through a conversation (about anything) without tears running down my face.  I am a disaster! 

 

Not that this is news to any of you.  It is probably payback for all of the years I spent as a kid making fun of my mom for crying at toothpaste commercials. 

 

I was able to pull myself together the following day to take the kids to meet their teacher.  They got all dressed in school clothes

 and skipped a mile down the road to school. 

 When they got there they couldn't have been happier to be in the same class as their cousin, Eliana.

 After "Meet the Teacher", it was seven excruciating days until the first day of school. 

 

Last night, before they laid out their new school clothes, they carbo loaded to get ready for the big day

 

And reviewed the morning plans with me.  Four times.

 

B: "Mamma, when we wake up if you are making your lunch you can just keep making it while we get dressed and then can you get a big bowl and pour me as much cereal as I need to eat but don't put the milk in it just put it in a cup so it doesn't get soggy and then when I come downstairs you can zip my sweatshirt before breakfast or after breakfast, whatever works best for you."

 

In the morning, they were quick to get dressed in their new clothes and were excited to find their traditional first day of school cake.  And yes.  Cake for breakfast on the first day of school is a tradition.  Sue me.

 After breakfast, they got to work making their lunches.  Yes.  I make my kids make their own lunch.  Why?  Because they can.  And I'm busy.  They have a menu of items available to them and pick things from four areas so that they get a wellish balanced meal.

 

Ben decided to go with ham and mustard on a pita today.

 And Abby sliced some cheese

 to put on her sandwich.

 Then she reviewed the menu

 and decided to add some apples

 Meanwhile, Ben packed himself some peas.

 It took a bit of time, but they did a great job and were so proud!

 

 

When it was time to get shoes on, it was a team effort. 

 

 Then out to the front porch for our first day photos

 

 

 And then it was off to the bus.

 

 

 Just kidding.  They didn't ride the bus.  This is like the picture you take at the wedding of the bride pretending to throw the bouquet.  They turned around and got in the car.

 

Once at school, Ben and Abby, I mean Abigail (which is apparently her school name), found their table

 and got right to work.

 When it was time to say goodbye they gave us a kiss and went right back to work.  Me on the other hand?  Well, at least I almost made it out the door of the classroom before I started crying.  Don't worry.  I don't think the kids saw me.  The PTA moms might have.  But they meet at 9:10 on Wednesdays so I guess I don't have to worry about seeing them again.  I cried some more on my way to work and throughout the day I couldn't stop thinking about them and wondering what they were doing.  I knew they were probably having fun, but were they tired?  Did they miss me?  (Come to find out there was no need to worry about that one.  Abby told me, "a couple times I was having so much fun I forgot about you!")  I couldn't wait to get home and hear all about their day.

 

Robbie was there to meet them when they got off the bus (which, by the way, was their favorite part of the day!)

 As I listened to them tag team the story of their day, I could tell that they had had a great day and that they were going to have a great year.  But when I put them to bed, I couldn't help but cry as I wondered where in the world five and a half years went.  I am so proud of the kids that they are and so happy that they are in school but I'm pretty sure this picture couldn't have been taken more than about a year and a half ago...

 and today my babies are not babies anymore...

 

 I'm thinking that by Monday (or at the very latest, Christmas break) I will have my emotions about this situation under control.  Because believe me I know this is ridiculous.