We survived the first week of school...

I had a lot of anxiety about this week...N. doesn't take to change very well, and to get him into a new situation you might literally have to drag him or bribe him.  Everyday he would talk about how nervous he was to start school, and was worried about when he would watch shows, play on my phone, play with P., see McKenna, etc.  Last week at meet the teacher, he went in just fine, but as we left he said, "I don't like my teacher, I'm never coming back, ever."  I thought his teacher seemed pretty awesome, so I just tried to ignore his comment and hoped for the best, but had a meltdown that night, because the realization of him going to school and not being with me was just too much.  I've been a teacher, I know what goes on in schools, routines, paperwork, carpool lanes, not being able to walk him in after the first day...but now it all seemed a little overwhelming when it was my own kid.  I just want him to be taken care of and loved...I also had this picture in my head of him being lost in this huge sea of children--which I know is silly, but it was my fear that with too many kids he would just be looked over.  The day before school, I was in total denial...I couldn't even plan my week, which is so unlike me--with preschool days,  I would have this huge list of errands and things to do, but I couldn't do it...so the FIRST DAY of school--I dropped P. off at Cindy's, so I could just focus on N.  Much to my surprise, he went right in, no dragging, no fight, just walked right in, shook his teacher's hand, put his backpack in his locker, and sat right down.  Walking away from his classroom, I was teary eyed for sure.  That first day, I was in a emotional state.  Luckily Cindy kept us busy in the morning, but I felt like I was just wandering, like I couldn't get anything done...I was too worried thinking about how N. was doing--I felt in a stand-still.  When I picked him up, he said he had a great day, and I felt so much relief.  He told me he liked his teacher, he liked gym, and he got to go on a hunt looking for the gingerbread man, but the gingerbread man got away in the end, but left them yummy cookies.  So, the first day was a SUCCESS!  I was so proud of how he did.

So flash-forward to Friday...he had a great week at school.  He even told me he wished he could go to school on Saturday and Sunday.  On the other-hand he is a total grouch at home, and has not been cooperating--he apparently has used up all his listening at school.  I'm emotionally exhausted, tired, and getting used to getting up and going early  in the morning.  P. misses N., and cries for him as we drop him off and at the back door for him, but we've kept him occupied with playdates.  I'm so grateful that he does love school--it's just a big change for us all.  Thank you Cindy for constantly checking on me this week, and keeping us busy.  S.'s been out of town for most of the week, so it's been hard, but we made it!  I'm grateful for a weekend to relax a bit, and I'm so happy that he loves kindergarten!

Back to School jammies were a success--they helped him get ready for bed quickly--no stalling for once...

Is is really this big?

 

N. has his spot on the couch where he sits when he watches a show.  When P. heard the word show, he ran and laid down.  N. at first was trying to push P. out of the way, but then decided to cuddle.  I miss these two together.

 N. asked my Thursday morning if we could go get frozen yogurt today, so for once I said yes to something, and we had some fro-yo deliciousness after school!