First day of school 2016

Kai-4th, Finn-1st, and Bree-mommy prescchool

The boys went back to school on August 17th.  It is Finn's first time going to school all day, and Kai's 6th year of school (!).  The first day of school was a good warm day, and strangely enough it went by really fast.  Going back to school is always a transition, not just for the kids but for me, too.  Bree misses these boys so much when they are at school.

Kai--first day of 4th grade

Finn lining up with his teacher--I wanted a picture with her but she was very overwhelmed that first day as she was hired just one week before school started.  She is a veteran teacher who had been out of the classroom for a while and was then thrown in at the last minute.  Poor thing has had a steep learning curve.  As for Finn, he didn't know very many of the kids in his class (just three or so from his years of Pre-K and K) so he was nervous in this group of kids. 

After I dropped Finn off with his teacher, we made our way over to the other side of the building for the 4th grade lines.  Kai's teacher is also a veteran teacher and has always taught 2nd grade.  Due to many of the changes going on in education these days, she made the jump to 4th grade this year.  As sad as she was about that, Kai was thrilled.  It's the first time he has gotten a teacher whose name he recognized and who he knew before the first day.  His 2nd grade classroom was right next to hers.  And we had heard many good things from friends in the last year about her, so we were excited.  And over the last month we have learned that all of the good things we have heard were spot on.  We love his teacher!

After seeing that Kai was happy and settled, I headed back to check on Finn.  I found him in this group of boys and did not get my camera out fast enough, as they were all standing in this circle comparing muscles.  It was quite amusing.  Finn's teacher tells us that he has become quite social and has many friends.  He enjoys playing soccer at recess and has a firm team that he plays with.  He has told me several times over the last month that 1st grade is so much better than Kindergarten and that he really likes school.  That makes this mommy heart happy.

The PTO had a message of encouragement for the kids as they entered the building.

Poor Bree!  I mentioned that first day went by quickly, and it did.  After dropping the boys off and visiting with friends for a bit, Bree and I headed back to the house.  But it was quickly time for lunch and I wanted to be there for Finn's first school lunch to ensure that our plan for his enzyme dosing went well.  So, we pulled up to school not long before his lunch time and were greeted by the health aide coming out of the building.  When I told her that we were coming to see her and to check on lunch, she asked if I could handle Finn's enzymes and lunch that day as they had a bit of excitement on the way.  It was then that I realized that the sirens in the distance were getting louder and heading to the building.  I assured her that I would handle his enzymes and then I went to the office window to grab all of his stuff for lunch.  The office was closed (blinds closed and doors shut) as the paramedics came in a tended to a student.  From what I gathered after the fact, a 3rd grade girl with a seizure disorder had suffered a seizure just mere hours into the first day of school.  Poor thing.  But I was glad that I was there to help Finn and relieve the office staff so they could attend to her at the time.

After lunch, Bree and I headed into town to grab some cupcakes for the boys as an after school treat. (It was after the trip for the cupcakes that Bree fell asleep in the car.)  They were excited to see these yummy treats waiting for them at the end of the first day.  Kai had an ice cream sundae cupcake.

I think Finn's was a "birthday cake" cupcake, but I can't remember.

It was a good first day of school.  The kids got started out on the right foot and I was surprised at how quickly the time went by those first few days.  I had been concerned that 7 hours of just me and Bree would be long and well, slow, but those first few days were certainly not slow.