First Day of School

So, I have come to realize that even as much as I love to blog, I am not that great at it. I simply just do not have time to blog everyday, so many of my blogs will consist of several days worth of stories and photos to more clearly paint the picture for you. And, since I am so busy, many will contain typos from my rushing to get it done!



This particular blog is all about going back to school for the year, although I am starting at orientation, August 14.



Since my kids are in two seperate grades, we had two sperate orientation to attend last Thursday. First is was Kylie's. We went into the multi purpose room and listened to the principle talk briefly and then we headed to her classroom to meet her teacher and see her desk. Her teacher's name is Ms. Beldt and I have heard that is very good, so I was very excited to meet her in person. I have to say that I was just as impressed as I thought I would be. Kylie really liked her too. She got to go on a tour of the school while Kaedyn and I listened to the teacher tell us what to expect this year. All sounds very promising!

I took a photo of Kylie at her desk when she got back.

Next, we went to Kaedyn's orientation and got to meet his teacher. I hadn't heard much about Ms. Presson, but I was still anxious to meet her. Kaedyn was too. We walked in to find a very kind older woman. She had a very soft voice and seemed very loving, so that made me happy. I didn't get a chance to take Kaedyn's photo because the room was very crowded and lots of people were always standing around him.



After orientation, we went to TGi Fridays for an end of summer celebration. The kids and I all really enjoy eating there.

Kaedyn always gets the ribs and eats every last bit of them!

I think what they really look forward to is the mud in a cup dessert! That is the real reason they love going to Fridays!

After leaving TGI Fridays, we went to the mall to get new shoes for school. They were having an awesome "buy one, get one for $1" sale, so we ended up with 4 paris of shoes! Kaedyn got some Sketchers he has been wanting and a pair of Cars Crocs, while Kylie got Disney princess light up shoes. You can see them in the photos below because they wore them the first day of school. Well, Kaedyn wore the Sketchers anyway! LOL Even I snuck in a pair of super cute heels!

The weekend was spent with a sick little girl and getting everything ready for school on Monday. Friday I was planning on going out with some friends when Kylie came down with a fever last minute. Needless to say, I had to cancel with the gals and attend to her. Because I was so afraid she wouldn't be well for school Monday, I took her to the ER Saturday afternoon to nip whatever it was that was causing the fever. I didn't have an extra day to waste if she needed to be on an antibiotic. So, we drove to Eglin and found out that she likely had strep throat, so the doctor put her on amoxicillin. What a relief that she woke up Sunday with NO FEVER!!

Sunday night, as I tucked the kids into their beds I began feeling a bit anxious about the first day of school. Sending my baby off to Kindergarten is an emotion that only a parent can truly understand. It was bad enough that Kaedyn was in 1st grade, but now Kylie in school too was just too much to bare. I talked to each seperately telling them how proud I was of them and how I knew they would do great. I read Kylie a book that her preschool teacher had given her called, "Welcome to Kindergarten." That reminded her of a song she sang in preschool named the same thing, so she began to sing it. HELLO TEARS!!! Oh my, I was blown away by how sweet and grown up she was. I gave her kisses and told her I loved her and had to leave the room. She asked me why I was crying as I was leaving and so I tried my best to explain that I loved her so much and she made me so proud that I was just brought to tears by the emotion. I don't think she understood, but she still replied with outreached arms (wanting a hug) and an "I love you too, Mama!" MORE TEARS!!

Well, then I got Kaedyn all tucked in once my emotions were under control. I guess I was less emotional too about sending him since he has gone to school before. I was, however, nervous about this being both of their first times on a school bus. So, I took the opportunity to tell him to be a big boy and behave on the bus. His response was his usual, "Mom, I know that!" I just had to laugh and say, "I know, baby, but I just want to be sure."

Monday morning came soon enough. I woke up at 5am because I just couldn't sleep anymore. My dreams were filled with tons of "what if" and "did I remember to" questions. I got up, started the coffee, and double checked their backpacks and lunch boxes for anything I might have overlooked! I woke the kids up at 6:15 and they sprung right up, excited about their big day.

I made them a nice breakfast with eggs, bacon, toast, and cantaloupe.

Then it was picture time, of course. We went out front to the same spot I took their photos at last year before Kaedyn started Kindergarten and Kylie started VPK. That way I could have a comparison for later.

I just love how Kylie grabbed Kaedyn's hand for the picture. It was like she was letting him know she was nervous for school and needed his help. What a great memory that will serve later in life.

Here is my big 1st grader!

And my Kindergartener!

They were so excited to ride the bus that they wanted to go out early, so we did, 15 minutes early! We were the first ones there that morning!

My friend's little girl was second out there. She was really excited too!

Finally, the bus came and Kylie was so excited to get on and start her new adventure. I, on the other hand, could have waited another year or so!! =)
Here is Kaedyn getting on the bus. He was the second one to board. The boy holding his shoulders is a neighbor of our's that I asked to watch after them on the bus. I told him I want a full report if they get picked on or anything out of the ordinary happens! LOL
Kylie must have known I had my camera ready (that, or she just wanted one more look at me before leaving) because she turned and smiled at me just as I went to take the picture. I will always tresure this photo!

Now is when you may start to laugh at me! After the bus pulled away I got in my car and drove to the school. I didn't actually follow the bus, so I guess I am not that crazy. I just wanted to go to the school and take a few more photos of them on their first day. The only reason I put them on the bus to begin with was because they were so excited to finally get to ride it. They have wanted to do that for years now. Also, I wanted them to get right into that routine and not get used to me taking them.

By the time I got to the school, the bus had already pulled in, but the driver had them wait a minute to get off.

I saw Kylie's pig tails, so I snapped this quick photo! Notice where they are sitting, right behind the driver? That's because I told them too. I told them that the big kids sit in the back so that is where the bullying happens. I am so glad they listened.

Now it was time to get off.

Kaedyn seemed embarrassed that I was there, but still he sat nicely for one last picture before going inside.
Kylie's classroom is the second one down the hall, so I was going to drop her off first. But, when I stopped to take another picture of Kaedyn...
she turned and walked in all by herself! WOW! I thought she might ask me to come in too, but no. She is so big!!

So, I told Kaedyn he could go alone too since Kylie did. I kissed him, told him to behave, and then he started down the hall. Little did he know that I was following close behind to make sure he made it to the right class. His classroom is in the middle of the hall, so I was worried he might not find it, but he did with no problems! I am just so astonished at how much my kids really know without my help. He had only been there once, and yet he remembered right where to go. Talk about a big kid!

I still snuck up and took one last picture though, for my own sake. As soon as he saw me, he yelled out, "MOM!" Like, go away and stop embarrassing me kind of "MOM!" I just laughed and waved good bye, knowing that he would get over it!

After knowing they made it safely, I left the school with confidence that they would okay and headed to IHOP for breakfast with two of my best friends, who also sent kids off to the same school that day. My friend, Jenn has a boy in Kindergarten. His class is right next to Kylie's. And, my friend, Michelle, has a girl in 1st grade. She is in the same class as Kaedyn, which is super exciting!! We laughed a lot, like I knew we would, and wished each other a great first day of school. I think we all needed to meet to help settle our emotions!

Then, I went to buy my textbooks for my classes and stopped in the AT&T store to see about getting a new cell phone.

After that, well, the longest day of my life began!!! I was soooooo bored I was about to go nuts. The bus could not have come any faster! I made Kaedyn some brownies since he has been asking for some for a few days. I was holding out until the first day of school so he would come home to a special treat!

Finally, at just past 3:30, the bus rolled in!

And off came two very hungry and tired kids.

Before going inside, I insisted on one last photo to mark this momentous day!

So, all and all, we all did good. Kylie came home telling which hand was right, and which was left. She also made the sweetest hand print art ever and worked on writing the letter "Aa." She has learned so much on her first day, so I am really excited to see how she progresses the remainder of the year. Kaedyn brought home quite a few papers he worked on including, counting items and writing the numbers on the lines and putting things in order. Even I did well, I think. They were on my mind all day long, but I managed to not race to the school to check on them!

The best part of the entire day was, as they enjoyed their special brownies with ice cream on top, Daddy called to see how their day was. He had waited to call when he knew they would be home. It was bittersweet. We were all happy he could share that moment with us, but still he wasn't physically here. He had missed Kaedyn's first day of Kindergarten and now he has missed Kylie's. We all understand that he has a job to do, and we support him to the end, but it doesn't make it any easier.

To end on a good note, Rob asked Kaedyn if he made any girlfriends yet (just teasing him) and his response was, "Not yet!"