Kids in School

We read this book about a dad who has a hard time dropping his kid off in school. His boy isn't sad at all and tries to reassure him, but after he drops his boy off he starts to think of all the things they used to do together. He runs back to the school, but when he gets there he looks in and sees how much fun his boy is having, so he finally goes home happy.

I am like that dad. Pretty sure I had the hardest time sending Bridger to school. Kindergarten is from 9:20AM-4:10PM and that seems like such a long day! I am used to having him home all day! And the thought of sending Bridger and Myra off at the same time(!)... I couldn't do it.

See how excited they are... They have been looking forward to school nearly their whole lives ;-).

Kindergarten Ready!

First day of school! I anticipated Bridger coming home tired and ornery. Instead he came bouncing home all full of energy and excited for the next day! But when I asked him about what he did at school he was very nonchalant about it, no big deal... First week was a success!

As school has continued, he is not always sure he wants to go, especially when we hit the end of the week. I asked him what he wished he could do at school instead and he said, "I wish when I get to school that I could just play with Ethan. But every day my teacher tells me I have to sit down and color!" He's got a point, kids need to play... they aren't made to sit still so long...

And it is those mornings... those ones when he has a rough time getting his chores done, and he says he doesn't want to go, that my emotions and ideas get twisted in ambivalence... I wonder if this method of school is right for him... I don't want to home school, but maybe I should... Maybe I should just try to work it out so he can go half days... But every day he hops exuberantly off the bus and I realize that school is good for him and he is good for school! He has two friends from church in his class and he is making lots of friends! 

Set for Preschool!

Myra feels just as big as Bridger and has been waiting expectantly for the big day when she could go to school too! I knew sending her to a preschool would be necessary so she wouldn't feel left out. I debated much in my mind what would be best. Dranesville Elementary has a really good program and Myra would love to go to the same school as Bridger! Myra was a good candidate for a Community Peer in their special needs program, but in the end I decided five days a week was just too much for me right now. She could do it, but I need more Myra time! So she is going to Grandma Joan (our landlord)'s ESOL preschool as a peer there Tuesday's and Thursdays. I still get my Myra time, and I feel like I'm also investing in her because we are doing a co-op group on Wednesdays with friends, and a Little Bakers Club on Fridays so she has many things to be excited about! 

Our fun group, going home from the bus.

I had imagined so much freedom returning to me as I sent Bridger and Myra both off to school... But my excitement was premature... Myra is the easy one (she can entertain herself endlessly, reading to her dolls in her room)... Can I send Sawyer to Pre-School instead?