back to school

oh my goodness, what chaos.

L started school first.  She's in first grade this year! She's thrilled to be going full day although I miss her like crazy and so do her sisters.  (A and E have been playing great together, but still, every day A asks several times when her sister will be home.)  L loves having lunch at school, taking time to think each day if she wants hot lunch or cold lunch.  She was disappointed to have a different teacher than her best friend but fortunately made friends quickly and is having a lot of fun.  She's in dual immersion and has taken easily to it.  I'm hoping it gives her a fun challenge, which I think her brilliant mind needs.

I attended Back to School night, listening to all the rules and procedures, met her teachers, etc.  I loved to see the self-portrait she had left on her desk and hear about her daily schedule.  I paid my dues and officially joined the PTA.  Husband teased me about what a big moment that must be, such a "mom milestone" and offered to buy me "mom jeans" to celebrate.

L also had a back to school type meeting to kick off dance team for the year.  She's on "Moonbeams" this year, a bigger team with several friends and a great teacher.  She's already looking forward to preforming and competiting.  She's crazy about it all and I love watching her dance.  She's also taking ballet which means Thursday are a very busy day for her.  She gets off the bus with enough time for a quick snack and to change clothes before I take her to dance and she gets home just in time for dinner.

A is attending a third year of preschool, since her birthday is two weeks after the cut off.  Deciding she needed something new, we changed schools.  The school she previously attended focused on music and movement and she was thrilled with that, it was especially well suited to her high energy.  But this year, we moved her to a preschool with a stronger focus on academics in order to challenge her more.  She loves her new teacher and has chattered constantly about all the fun.

Even little E is attending school this year!  She begged to go to school like her sisters, so we enrolled her in a 2 year old preschool.  For her academic and social readiness, she could have easily joined a 3 year old program but she has the same birthday dilemma as her sister.  So twice a week, she will be attended a preschool prep.  She was thrilled to pick out her backpack, do her "first day picture" and without any hesitation, scampered into her classroom without a backwards glance to me.  I lingered to watch but she ran back to me, "Mom! Go! This is my school, I can go play!"

In my defense, I've never been one of those parents welling up as they watch the school bus or begging for extra hugs and kisses (to get themselves through the day, not the kid). But watching my last little scamper off, so eagerly, invokes a sad little smile.  So excited to see all of them grow.  So excited to have a few hours in the day to get stuff done.  And definitely so excited for them to come home.