Third Grade Blues

I hear so many parents that say they can't wait for school to start.  While I crave the routine, I enjoy the more relaxed schedule that summer provides.  I love spending quality time with my kiddos and I hate to see summer come to an end.  Several weeks before school starts we get all of their supplies together, try on uniforms, and talk about what to expect in the new year.  I think the best part of school starting back is school supply shopping.  I have always loved the smell of a new box of crayons.  Bouquets of freshly sharpened pencils, post-it notes, markers, spiral bound notebooks...Love, love, love school supply shopping!  However, loving school supplies doesn't cure the "My kids are going back to school blues."

Yesterday was the first day of school.  It was a total success!  Everyone woke up on time and we were feeling pretty great about things.  Supplies had been labeled and backpacks sat ready to go for the last two weeks.  Princess didn't even fight me as she drank down her instant breakfast.  (She isn't a breakfast person at all.)  We took the obligatory first day of school pictures until my sweet Princess and Prince were begging for no more pics.  "Let's just get on with it!"  "Can we please go to school now?!" 

 

 

 

As we left the neighborhood Princess asked if she could pray for all of us.  As we drove to school, we all took turns praying for the first day of school and for the days that follow.  When we were almost there, Prince, who normally doesn't get nervous, said, "Mommy, my tummy feels funny."  Oh my sweet Prince, all will be OK when you get into your classroom and put your things away.  By the time school gets started you will feel more relaxed and things are gonna be great. 

This year, the twins are in third grade and their classroom is upstairs.  As we climbed the stairs and began walking down the hall, Princess started saying, "Mommy, I don't want you to leave me.  Please don't leave me."  Everything is going to be great.  You're going to have a great day and I can't wait to hear all about it when you get home.  Here, let me take your picture in front of this third grade bulletin board. 

We walk into their classroom and are greeted by their teacher.  I'm really excited about their teacher this year.  I have gotten to know her a little the last few years of being at the school and I like her a lot.  Prince and Princess find their desks and begin putting their things away as I am the dorky mom taking pictures the whole time.

 

 

 

Then it happened.  I heard a child ask the teacher if he can go to the restroom.  She asks if he knows where it is, down the hall and across from the elevator.  It suddenly hits me how fast my kids are growing up.  This is big stuff.  They are in third grade and I can still remember when they were down at the preschool with me.  My eyes begin to puddle and my voice gets shaky.  I start to tell Prince and Princess bye and Prince says, "Mom, are you crying?"  Nope.  Not me, I say with a smile plastered on my face.  Hold it together Rach.  You can do this.  Just give them kisses and be on your way.  I go to give kisses and I lose it.  Total fail.  I'm the mom, the only mom, crying as she leaves her third graders in their classroom.  I cried the whole way to work, talking to Hubby on the phone as he was trying to reassure me that I didn't totally embarrass myself or our kids.  If it's this hard to let them go to third grade, I don't even want to think about college!

Everyone had a great first day.  They were excited to tell Hubby and I all about their friends and all of the new and wonderful things about third grade.  It's gonna be a great year and I took everyone to school this morning without incident.  We're settling in to a new routine and looking for to all the wonderful adventures that are ahead this year.