first day of school

 

Liesl's first day of kindergarten was Thursday. She's been a little nervous and anxious all week, which has meant a lot of emotional storms and sudden tears and clinginess and some baby talk. But she picked out her clothes the day before - set them out on the floor of her bedroom in perfect order - and on Thursday morning hopped out of bed, got dressed, ate breakfast, and was ready to go by 7:30.

Lining up outside Mrs. LaTocha's classroom. Unfortunately, none of her local friends are in her class, so she was feeling a little sad and lonely, but she walked in with a smile, hung up her coat and backpack, found her seat, and started coloring.

 

At this point, she looked around the room at all the hovering parents and picture-taking and talking and hubbub, and said, "This is kind of overwhelming." So grownup! We agreed, and decided to say goodbye and let them get started. 

She came home reporting that the first day was okay, but that she missed her preschool best friend and felt a little lonely without her family. Her class read a book about Pete the Cat and then had a fun scavenger hunt around the school looking for him - they went to the lunchroom, music room, library - she liked having a tour.

She requested steak for dinner, so that's what I made - as well as chocolate cupcakes, which always soothe my soul. :)

 

Sebastian's first day of 3rd grade was on Monday, and our boy walked himself over at 7:30 - 15 minutes early - in order to play a little soccer before the school day began.  He's in a class with many of his soccer-playing friends and is mostly happy about it - although he did report feeling like he had "too many friends" in his class, and it made it hard to focus and figure out who to talk to. His chief complaint so far is that Mrs. Scottel won't let him bring his soccer ball to school for lunch recess play.