1st Days of School

 

The day before school began we got together with a bunch of friends for a "back to school breakfast" so we could all practice our morning routines and getting out the door by 8 am.  The food was fabulous, the kids had fun and it was a nice end to the summer, which also meant a chance to catch up with friends after all our vacations. 

 Jocelyn began Preppy K with her teacher Mrs. Berry last week and so far she seems to really like it.  The hard part for me is that she's gone for 4 1/2 hours every day.  I miss her and one day she even admitted that she missed me :)  Of course, she's having a little trouble adjusting to being home afterward.  I was expecting this from her and I've tried to be patient, but it still is not very fun.  I think out of nervousness she was having some melt downs in the days leading up to the start of school, and now after we pick her up she can be pretty sassy and mean, especially taking it out on Lillian.  From what I can tell, she has used up all her good behavior and patience and is just ready to let go when she returns home.  On the 2nd day of school she came home and took a 2 hour nap, which was much needed.

I didn't even cry dropping her off, probably because we attempted to go as a family, which meant we were later than we should have been.  Both Jared and I were driving (as he was going to leave straight from there to go to work) and following each other around like idiots talking on our phones only to come to the same conclusion: There was NO way in this world we were going to find a parking spot in the next 4 minutes before the bell rang.   We both "parked" illegally and I was the one who had to sit and watch both cars while Jared picked up Jocelyn and ran like lightning to the classroom on the far side of the school.  She hadn't broken in the new shoes yet and couldn't quite walk, much less book it to class! This didn't allow for an emotional departure and she was so darn excited that I couldn't be too sad about it!

 

I have LOVED having a little time with Lillian and Jonas as well. The first day of school I took them to library time to break up the morning (Lilly had asked several times if it was time to pick up Jocelyn yet).  Lilly was so proud of herself picking out books that Jocelyn would like from the library and checking all the items out by herself, opening the doors by herself, etc.  Generally she has to take turns, or Jocelyn just takes charge of these things so it was really great to see Lillian in a different light and feeling very independent.  She tells me "I am 3 now, so I don't need help like when I was 2."  We have also been preparing all the materials and held a meeting with the other moms (aka the teachers) to begin Joy School with her friends next week so she's looking forward to that!  She took her 3 year old pictures today and was a fabulous sport.