Back To School

My fellow blogging mothers, most of you have blown me away with your back-to-school posts and pictures on Facebook! Mine isn't going to be very fancy, only one picture, and it's not even a very good one (but doesn't Pearl's hair look cute!).

Monday was the first day of school for our girls. Pearl started 1st grade and Chloe started KG. We have been encouraging the girls' excitement of this day for at least a couple of weeks now. Both girls got the teachers we wanted for them and Chloe's teacher is the same one Pearl had last year. I was worried that Chloe might not know any of the kids in her class, but to my relief, there were at least 6 kids from her preschool class. I have been carefully laying the groundwork for Chloe's adjustment to school to be a smooth and tear-free one.

So the day came. I was thrilled that Chloe easily rose at 6:30 AM (when I haven't been able to get her out of bed before 7:30 for the past month). Pearl also arose easily and was dressed and had her bed made in just a few moments. If only they could always move that fast! I took a couple pictures on the way to the car (seen above) and at the school. The pictures at school weren't that good and I didn't take enough to get any good ones. What do they call it when you are having a creative mental block? I am blaming the almond dust, but that's a story for another day.

Dad and I first walked Pearl into her class. It was all smiles and fun as Pearl met her teacher, Mrs. Funk. How can you have a bad time when your teacher has a name like that? She met and hugged lots of friends and then sat down at the desk with her name on it, just like a big kid.

Next we took Chloe over to her class, just three doors down. It was crowded in there with all the parents. We all stayed for the first half hour as the teacher explained a few things to us and help our children get settled in. I really like how they do this and I love being in the classroom to share in this moment. As we headed out the door, all the kids took a seat on a colored floor mat. Chloe picked the red square in the front corner. I bent over to hug her goodbye and she gave me the strongest grip I could imagine a 5 year old capable of. I could feel her anxiety, but I was proud of her for not crying. Her best buddy Dylan didn't fare so well. I could hear his wailing as we walked out the door.

The girls called me at work when Dad picked them up after the first day. I asked Pearl how many of her friends were in her class and she replied "23". That's actually the number of kids in the class, but knowing Pearl, I am sure she considers each and every one of them her friend.

And so it begins.................