Dear Sam...

I'm not sure who gave you permission to do so, but you've done it again. And I can't quite believe myself. I told you you couldn't, but you did it anyways. You've gone and turned 4 like it was no big deal. And you did it even though I asked you not to! But to see how happy it makes you to be 4, it kind of softens my heart just a little and I might let this one slip by. Maybe. But turning 5? That's outta the question, you hear me? No way, nuh uh, nope, not happening. You can just stay 4 for a long, long time, okay? Because, to be honest, I kind of like you at 4. You are full of questions, you keep me on my toes, you keep me company throughout the day, you love pretending and have a wild imagination sometimes, and boy, do you love your cars--every last one of them. Yeah, come to think of it, I think it is sort of a tiny bit okay that you've turned 4 because I am pretty smitten by you at the age of 4. So, let's just keep it that way, all righty? And just so you know, I feel like I am the luckiest mama in the whole wide world to have called you mine for four whole years. I love you to the moon and back a thousand times. Happy birthday, Sam.

The 1st Day of 1st Grade

Well, I had been telling myself I was definitely going to write about the first day of school during August, so it would be posted at least some time around the time it actually happened.  It was my goal, you see.  But then August kind of laughed in my face and now it's September and I'm posting this almost a month after the fact.  Oh well!  It's a lot better than the updating from March through August that I still have to do.  :)

So, August 8 was the big, anticipated day.  I tell you I was a bundle of nerves.  It had been a really crazy summer, as I know I've already mentioned.  But this was the day that it all came to be, ready or not.  So, of course the morning was much more rushed than I was hoping it to be.  We rushed through breakfast and rushed to get in the car, not knowing for sure how long it would take us to get there since there would be a million other parents driving their kids to school that day.  So, my pictures were rushed, my lens was fogged up from the humidity (I didn't take my own advice I had given someone the day before...rushed, I tell you!), but we made do.  So, we headed out the door...we were on our way!  (And so glad Garrett could come with us this day!)

So, we arrive, and did find out that yes, one million other parents had driven their kids to school this day as well.  So we hiked across the parking lot to find his class.  We had been to the school for a tour and seen the 1st grade hallway, but hadn't been in his classroom or met his teacher yet.  So, this was a big first for all of us.

And this was where my picture taking was really starting to annoy a bit, I think.  :)

So, we made it!  We met the teacher, found his desk, ensured him that he would be able to eat school lunch that day (he was wanting to eat at the cafeteria SO bad, so we made sure that he could, which really put him at ease, I think!), and just like that...we told him good bye and left. Left him there in that big classroom in that big school, where he didn't know a single soul.  And I lost it in the car.  I really did.  This was so hard for me this year.  I knew I would miss him during the day and stuff, but more than anything, I was just worried about the adjustment of all of this.  All those worries got the best of me.  And as we pulled up to our house, Sam said "now I can't even ride bikes because Tyler's not here".  Yeah, that didn't help.  Those two sure are good little buddies.

So, I spent a quiet day with this little cutie.  And reminded myself several times how lucky I am.  He went outside for a bit and came in with a surprise behind his back.  He had picked a flower for me from the yard and said "this is for you since you're sad and missing Tyler and Dad (because Dad was at work)".  Seriously, what a blessing this boy is!

I just love him!

So, then the real nerve wracking part came...Tyler really, really, really wanted to ride the bus home.  The bus will pick him up and drop him off at the end of our driveway, and I am super excited about that, but of course the first day was all about worrying whether he made it on the right bus and all that jazz.  I talked to the bus driver and he said he'd be home around 4:15.  So a few minutes after 4:00, I went out to wait just in case.  And I waited, and waited, and waited.  Sam rode his bike while we waited.

You see, we had a lonely bike without a rider (which Sam brought to the end of the driveway so it would be waiting there for Tyler to get home!).

And finally!!!  The moment we had been waiting for!  At nearly 5:00, we finally saw that bus.  I thought it would never come!  Of course, they just had some first day things to work through, but oh my goodness, it was just a long wait (and a HOT one, too, I might add!).

And there he was!  He had survived!

He was on his bike in no time, and also giving his dad a recap of the day's events.  He seemed to be in good spirits, but also seemed to be really worn out.  I imagine it was pretty tiring!

And the success of the first day was celebrated with chocolate chip cookies, of course.  No matter how the day is, it is always a little better with a cookie, I'm pretty sure.  :)

And that is a recap of the big first day of school.  Tyler was worn out and cried the next morning when I woke him up for school because he was so tired.  I thought it was really odd, but still sent him that day and the next.  He just seemed so tired...but it wasn't until the school nurse called in the middle of the day on Wednesday saying he had a 103.2 fever that it all made sense.  So the first day of school was a success, but I now realize he really didn't feel well at all those first few days and then ended up missing the last half of the week.  It was rough!  But a month into it now, it seems to be much better and he's really gotten in his groove.  He loves school and loves riding the bus and I love spending some time with Sam.  Although, I am pretty sure he is pretty bored with me. But I'm lucky he's still around!