As much as I love summer, I always look forward to the first day of school. It's really hard working from home with all three kids home all day and this summer was arguably the hardest of all summers since I had to take two trips to Chicago and several trips to SLC and was really, really busy at work when I was in town. It made it a very stressful time, with Brian having to take on most of the kid duty and with me feeling guilty for not being around as much for the kids or for him. But we survived. Not sure if we thrived. But we survived. It was definitely a challenge but I think we grew as a family some and as a couple for sure.School supplies were purchased and ready early. We did BTS clothes shopping when Auntie Sue and Grandma Mary were in town, then Nana took them out to get them something, so the kids were set. In fact, they were more than set. The night before the first day they laid out their clothes- not just for day 1, but for all five days in week 1 of back to school. Crazy people. They even had underwear and socks picked out for each day.
It was a good first day, beautiful outside and not too hot. I LOVE FALL WEATHER! After the annual pictures on the porch we drove the kids to the back path. Tanner met up with the two other musketeers right away and took off without a glance goodbye. Jake left us at the car and found his buddies. Faith, however, clung to my hand and 10 minutes before the bell rang the silent tears began. I walked her to the front of her line and handed her over to her new teacher, kissed her and said goodbye. She waved tearily. That went on for the first three days. By Thursday and Friday I was able to kiss her goodbye and leave before she lined up, so that's progress. There's definitely a little bit of separation anxiety going on.
All the kids had a great first week. Tanner has Mrs. Olsen (Jake's third grade teacher) and Faith has Mrs. Bourland (Tanner's second grade teacher) so we already know the drill for those two classes. Jake got Mrs. Wagner and is with almost all of his buddies. It's a great group and I know Mrs. Wagner from when she worked in the computer lab years ago and I was doing TTM with her. So everyone is comfortable and happy and ready for a great year. This week we have 4 days of football practice for Jake, 2 days of football for Tanner, 3 back to school nights, and Faith's first farm class. Even with each kid only doing one after school activity the pace is kind of breakneck around here!
