The count down to 2nd grade has been going strong for about a month now. The closer to the date that we got, the stronger Dylan's excitement grew. By Friday night, he could barely contain his excitement. He kept saying he wish he could fast forward the weekend. London fell asleep before him on Sunday night, and he said "I wish I could be London just for tonight. That way I could wake up sooner and be me in the morning." I love that he loves school. But I'm always a little sad when its time to send him back.
When I asked him what he wanted for his "back to school breakfast" he said rainbow waffles. I knew that I wanted to be dressed to walk him in (and see half the town at drop off), so I woke up at 5:30 in the morning to get dressed and start cooking by 6:00. I told Daniel he'd better take a picture because this wouldn't happen again for another year. I giggle when I look at this picture because it is SO not real life here at the Hilburn. To keep it real, I'll tell you that yesterday we missed the alarm clock, woke up 10 minutes before the buss stopped, ran around like CRAZY people trying to pull it together in time, and then Daniel literally chased the bus down in the car so that Dylan could get on it. The whole time, I kept saying "I'll take you, it's okay! I'll take you!" and Dylan is saying "Noooo MOM, I reeeealllly want to ride the bus." Pretty sure I gained a grey hair or two. Normal falls some where in between these two extremes leaning towards the latter. But for one day out of a year, I can pull it together and try to be supermom.
I use to LOVE buying school supplies. I remember my parents making a whole ordeal about it. We'd go to the store and they'd let me pick out all the character folders, binders, notebooks, and the sparkliest pencils I could find. Now a days (at least where we live) everything is very specifically picked out for the students by the teacher. Green three pronged folders with pockets. Black Mead Journal. 4oz glue stick. They don't leave room for kids to personalize much of anything when it comes to their supplies. It makes me so sad. In fact, its hard to find many options when it comes to "fun" pencils. So when I ran across this spider man notebook, I knew my little guy would love it. Even if its not use in his classroom, I figured he could keep it in his bookbag for when he's on the bus. I picked up a few little things and left them on the table for him to find in the morning. He was so excited about them. It made my heart super happy.
We woke the kids up at 6:30 to eat breakfast. The both popped up pretty quickly. I wasn't sure what to expect after our crazy summer schedule, but they both did great!
We even had a little extra time to run out and take pictures.
After a couple of shots outside our house it was time to head to school. Dylan said he needed to use the potty first. I said "Ok, just close the door behind you. We'll be in the car." He was out to the car by the time we got London buckled.
We didn't get to school quite as early as I had hoped, but still early enough for a few more pictures and to see friends in the cafeteria. On the way into the parking lot I gave myself a mental highfive for having had such a calm, well put together morning. We pull into the parking lot and all start getting out of the car when Dylan says "Where's my bookbag?" in a very "you have it mom" sort of way. I said "What do you mean... you had it at home?" Panic runs across his face as he realizes he sat it down to use the restroom and never picked it back up. I bit my lip extra hard because my instinked was to say "DYLAN! HOW DO YOU COME TO SCHOOL ON THE FIRST DAY WITH OUT YOUR BOOKBAG, KID!?" BUT that isn't how I wanted his morning to go. So instead I smiled, rubbed his head, and said "goofy kid!"
Daniel walked us up to the school the RAN home to grab his bag. He told me later that Dylan even left the front door wide open. I can't help but giggle. He was beside himself with excitement.
Daniel still wasn't back when it was time to walk Dylan to his room. I was crossing my fingers he would make it before the tardy bell. But London and I walked him down and helped him settle in. Not that he needed much help. He went straight to his desk, picked up his pencil and started his worksheet right away. I knelt next to him for a few minutes rubbing his back. I whispered to him and asked if he was ready for me to go, or if I should stay until the bell wrung (and the kickedor. the parents out) he said "you can go Mommy. Love you." I quickly fought back the sting of tears, kissed him quickly and headed out the do
On our way out the door we bumped into Daniel. He made it back before the tardy bell and was able to run the bag down to Dylan's room and give him a big hug. Daniel told me that Dylan seemed to want a rather quick hug. He's becoming such a big, big boy.
Its our tradition to take London to the park after dropping Dylan off at school on the first day. We want to make it a fun day for her too because its a transition for her when Dylan, her playmate, goes back to school after being home all summer. Its hard to believe she'll be going to preschool this year.
London and I can't wait for pick up time each day. We start counting down about an hour before. So far, Dylan loves Second Grade. He's so excited because he got the teacher he was hoping for AND some of his favorite friends.
Dylan,
We are so proud of you. You have worked on your reading all summer, and I know its going to really pay off in the Second Grade. I can tell already that this is going to be a good year for you, buddy. You are going to learn so much both about books and about life. I hope this is your favorite year of school yet.
Love You,
Mommy
