Another One Down

Can you believe it? Another school year is over!

I know, it's so cliche... but time is really flying by! I wish I could put the breaks on. Well, maybe not the breaks, but definitely a lower gear. 

I can vividly remember the morning of Rea's first day of school. It was 2011. She was so excited and a little bit nervous. She let me put that ridiculous hair bow in. She wore the cutest Gator backpack (a gift from her Aunt Jackie). She let me take a million photographs of her (something she is not always keen on now). 

Buddy had no idea what was going on. But he was down to take pics with his sister all morning. 

We saw a rainbow in the sky on the way to school. I told her God was smiling down on her too. 

To celebrate the last day of WOW for our little 3 year olds, a bunch of friends took over the back section of Brio. I am actually surprised the restaurant GM didn't ask us to leave. The kids were insane. It was so loud. So much chaos. Kids running around the table. Kids under the table. Kids playing on phones and iPads. Moms drinking, laughing, socializing and pretending not to notice the kids. 

​Mine lost it. I think the food may have taken too long, or something. I can't totally recall what set them off. Regardless, they both started screaming and crying. SCREAMING and CRYING. All I could do was laugh and finish my salad. (Thank you Jeanmarie for taking this photo. It's one of my all-time faves.)

Fast forward two years. It was Buddy's turn. His big first day. 

I don't think there has ever been such an excited student. It was definitely easier the second time around for me. I mean, the entire time that first day Rea was at school (only a half day at that point), I was basically counting down the minutes until pick up. But when it came time for Buddy to go, I was a seasoned pro. He was very happy to be a "big kid" like his sister. And I wasn't nearly as anxious about dropping him off. 

Now these two kids are so grown up. They continue to surprise me. Every day they get more mature, more confident, more independent. 

After 4 years at the same school, we left and began a new adventure. I was a wreck. It was so hard to pull my kids out of their previous school. I went there as a child, all of our friends were still there. It was one of the most difficult decisions. 

But now that we are finished with this school year, I can confidently say Stu and I made the right choice.

Rea had a rough start. Girls are mean and sometimes downright horrible. She refocused her attention on two really sweet, kind friends. And she had a wonderful year. 

Buddy could make friends with anyone. He is always so social, outgoing and friendly. At the beginning of the year. his teacher told me he was having trouble connecting with kids. He basically played alone on the playground. That nearly killed me. No parent wants to hear their child is alone. It took a few months, but Buddy came out of his shell. He finished the school year the way I knew he would, as Mr. Popular - everyone loves him and there is a line of girls wanting to marry him. 

Despite the angst-ridden parenting fears about my children fitting in socially, I knew this was a good place for them. Neither EVER complained about going to school. For the most part, they would jump out of the car at drop off and proudly walk in together. I am glad they got to experience this together. Together they ate breakfast in the cafeteria. Together they would walk in to the school. Together they would walk out of the school. Together they would chatter on and on in the morning about their different 'specials.' 

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I will be dropping off a 2nd grader and kindergartener. And when I go back at the end of the day, I will be bringing home a 3rd and 1st grader! 

Time, PLEASE slow down*. Just a little. 

*I am fully aware that I say "slow down" now, but after a month of no-camp-summer, I may be shouting a different tune.