springdellgirl

Summer's Lease Hath All Too Short A Date

School started yesterday. It happened much too quickly for me. Summer just barely got under way and now it already over. When school gets out in mid-June and starts again in August you don't get much of a summer. Not cool. We didn't even get to the "I'm bored" phase. But what can you do? The kids were excited to go back to school regardless of my feelings. It's an exciting year for all of them. Reilly is now a 7th grader in Middle School, Kameron is in 3rd grade, and Ailey started Kindergarten.

The 7th Grader

Reilly was pretty nervous all summer waiting for 7th grade to begin. Luckily there was an open house for the 7th graders the day before school started where they could come and get their schedules, find their classes, go on tours, and meet new kids etc. This really helped her and by the first day of school she was pretty much just very excited to start this new chapter of her life.

The 3rd Grader

Kameron was feeling pretty to cool to be the oldest in our family at the elementary school. He doesn't have any of his best buds in his class this year but he doesn't seem too concerned by it. He is a pretty mellow kid and gets along with everyone. He really likes his teacher and they do a lot of fun projects so he's excited.

The Kindergartner

Ailey is in afternoon Kindergarten this year. She was SO EXCITED to start school!! She has the same teacher that Kameron had for Kindergarten so she already knew who she was and Kameron had filled her in on what to expect. Ailey also had an open house and that pretty much got rid of any nervousness on her part.

Ailey is such a prissy little girl. She makes us laugh. She has taken to calling me "mother" lately. So about a week before the open house she said to me "Mother...I am feeling very frightened about Kindergarten." I about died laughing. Where did this kid come from?

Ailey and "little" Ailey. (They had to make paper dolls to take on the first day that they get to share with the class and talk about themselves.)

It has been fun to note the different reactions of Reilly, Kameron and Ailey as I was telling them good-bye on the first day of Kindergarten. Reilly bellowed at me "Why are you still here?" Kameron looked at me pleadingly like "Can't you stay for just a little bit longer?" When I told Ailey that I was leaving she just said "Ok...bye! I love you!"

Ailey should have a really fun class. Four other friends of mine have children in this class as well. It will be fun to volunteer in there this year. When I left Ailey she was doing great and coloring away. Bryn and I headed out for a delicious lunch with friends.

After school it was so much fun to hear all about the kids' day. Everyone had a fantastic first day of school. Reilly LOVED middle school. Should I be happy or afraid? There are several people that she knows in each of her classes. She was able to open her locker and was helping others. She had people to eat lunch with...the kids from her elementary sat together and watched out for each other. I LOVE that!!

She was pretty intrigued by all the different "cliques" of people. All different kinds of people with all different kinds of styles. She was appalled by the short shorts and tank tops some of the girls were wearing...SO NOT IN ELEMENTARY any more. She was mainly delighted that she can wear flip-flops to school and by all the selections of food in the cafeteria. It was funny listening to her. She is very excited about her creative writing class and her drama class.

Kameron had a great day and was the most excited about getting a planner instead of a communication folder this year. Because "Communication folders are for babies!!" He even had some homework on the first day and was THRILLED.

Ailey had a wonderful first day!! She loved everything about Kindergarten except that the day was so short. She said "It felt we just got there and then it was time to go home." Her favorite part of the day was Storytime.

We went out to dinner as family to celebrate the new school year. I'm glad that the kids had such a good first day. I hope it lasts!! I am especially thrilled that all after-school activities don't begin for another two weeks. Yay!