First Day of School

We managed to make it to out the first day of school. . . earthquakes, hurricanes and tornadoes weren't going to stop us!  We didn't have power and the elementary school was running on generators but that wasn't going to put a damper on the day for the girls.  All three were very excited and very ready to get back to school.  Adeline has been counting down for days.

Savannah started 2nd grade this year.  Her teacher is sweet, and exudes many qualities that remind me of my oldest.  They should get along splendidly.  To top it off, our neighbor, Savannah's dear friend, is in the same class too.  Here is a picture of the two of them as they met their teacher on the first day.

We walked Lila to her classroom.  Most Kindergartners took the bus so there were just a few of us waiting at the classroom while the teachers collected the other children off the bus.  Lila's teacher comes with a glowing reputation and started her day by carrying a crying boy down the hallway.  It was nice to see that they still hug and carry when deemed appropriate in Kindergarten.  Lila was very excited to get her day started and greeted Mrs. Fisher with a gentle "Boo!" from behind her back.  At that point, I knew she felt comfortable.

Adeline is going to her IU classroom again this fall.  She is starting a new schedule and is picked up from home and rides the bus to school.  She attends the afternoon session which is also new.  Adeline was such a big girl and didn't want any help getting on the bus and said goodbye to me immediately once stepping on.  It was as if she was saying, "I got this mom.  You can go now."  We were thrilled to have her old bus driver back.  Lila was not so thrilled because Adeline didn't want her to even step on HER bus.  Miss Adeline gets a private ride to school as she is the only on child on the bus.  Not such a bad gig!  Especially since her bus comes with a five point harness!

She wanted to make sure I got her backpack in the picture.  Boy does she love that thing. 

My schedule is very different this year. I no longer drive 1.5 hours each morning to get kids where they need to be. I drop both Lila and Savannah at the SAME school which is five minutes from my house. I have to say, having them together warms my heart. They got a peek of each other on the first day of school assembly. Oh, how sweet it is!

I have Adeline to myself each morning which is nice change. She has been in school each morning since she turned three. I have never had her all to myself. She is incredibly entertaining and good when out and about. I love the idea of our time together.

My first pick up is Lila at 11:40. I expected all smiles on the first day of school. Unfortunately, when she was released to me, she looked empty and sad. I asked her what was wrong and, apparently, a boy sitting next her in the circle (the kids were waiting to be called to the door for dismissal) ripped up the leaf she found and was planning to give me. He did this while it was still in her grasp. Then, he had the nerve to laugh. She dropped the leaf pieces at my feet and said, "He wasn't very nice. He laughed and it wasn't funny. He made my heart sad." Ugh! Is this what public school is going to be? I sincerely hope not. I am keeping an open mind and reminding myself that Lila is resilient. I made her teacher aware and she is keeping an eye on Miss Lila Grace. Yep. That is what she requested the teacher and children to call her - Lila Grace. This is the name I planned on her using until everyone shortened it to Lila during her NICU stay.

Here is my deflated Lila on the first day dismissal. Not the picture I wanted.

Alex went to pick Adeline up from school while Lila and I got Savannah off of the bus. It was her first time on the bus. I am not a fan of the bus but since it is less than a five minute ride and Adeline dismisses the same time as Savannah from a different school, I figured Savannah could make due. She doesn't love the bus but says she will tolerate and is even ready to walk home without me meeting her at the bus stop. That would disappoint one eagerly awaiting little sister who wants to knock her down with a hug the minute she gets off the bus. Here she is running to hug her big sister at the bus stop.