First day of school

  Yesterday was the first day of school for our kids, and they were so excited!  Jon didn't have to go out of town until Tuesday night, so he got to take Rachel and Hallie to school, and he also got to pick them up (since it was short day).  He took the girls out for pizza and dessert after school -- it made going back to school seem like a celebration.

It's funny, but when Rachel started school she was super confident about herself and her abilities, so of course I was too.  She wasn't nervous to meet her teacher or the other kids, so therefore I also felt like it was just a big, fun adventure and nothing to be nervous about.  After the first day it was no big deal to Rachel to just run up to the doors and get into line with the other kids without having me with her.

I realized just how different our 2 sweet girls are as I walked Hallie to the line today.  All weekend she was really excited/nervous about meeting her new teacher and having to be with other kids.  We went to class yesterday, and Hallie did everything she was supposed to, but she definitely did not talk to anyone -- she wouldn't even look at anyone straight on.  If she wasn't sure what to do, she just sat quietly and looked around, but wouldn't say anything. 

Today I was prepared to just drop Hallie off and watch her walk to the line, and she said that was okay with her.  But as I turned to say goodbye I could see the worry on her little face.  I didn't realize how nervous she was to be on her own until I felt her little hand squeezing tighter and tighter as we got closer to the doors.  Since she was feeling so scared, I found that I too felt more nervous the closer we got.  And when we got to the line, she just wanted to hold my hand a little longer while we waited for the bell, and I found that I wanted that too.

It's just funny how the different feelings and emotions that my kids are feeling seem to suddenly become my own.  I love those girls so much, and I hope that everything goes well for Hallie today.

Kale and I decided to have school with just us while the girls go to their school, and man, that kids is smart.  He knows all of his letters and their sounds and can even write all of the letters (minus the N) without any help (although he still holds his pencil way weird -- I don't know how to help with that).  How did my barely 4 year old get so darn smart?  I remember feeling this same way about Hallie the year before she went to school.  I must have genius children that just can learn things all by themselves.  Anyway, we did school today and Kale was delighted with the one-on-one attention since Sky was sleeping.

I love the new school year.  It's so exciting and new and the kids are happy to do homework and practice piano because it's been so long since they've had to do anything.  And since they're excited, I too am excited and it doesn't feel like just one more thing for us to do.  Hooray for school!