Change is good... right?

I've spent the whole summer trying to convince Emma and Hunter that change is good.  It's not always easy, most of the time it's not easy at all, but good things can come and it's all about your attitude, at least that's what I keep telling them.  If you look for the bad, you will most definitely find it and you'll be miserable.  You have to focus on the good things and be positive. Choose to make it a good day.

We knew when we chose to build our new home that it's school boundary (although only a quarter mile away from our old home) would mean my kids would go to an elementary school further down the hill from where they had been going.  I had hoped to be able to waive them into Lakeland Hills Elementary, but because their numbers are so high, it was impossible.  I even talked to the district and there simply was no way around it.  Ilalko is not a bad school, in fact it's another great school - it's just different.

Today is the first day of school.  All of my kids were feeling a little anxious last night, but Emma and Hunter were especially uneasy about starting the year out at a brand new school.

Linsey wasn't thrilled to see the summer end, but she had fun doing some school shopping and was looking forward to seeing her friends.  Here she is just about to walk out the door for her first day of 8th grade.  I told her to hold up 7 fingers and she looked at me a little funny, then I laughed and said "I mean 8 - That's Crazy!!"  Can she really be in 8th grade??

And here is my sweet Emma.  All ready for 3rd grade.  

Hunter - 5th grade.

 He didn't like it when I asked him to hold up 5 fingers for 5th grade, thought it was to childish.

But, he did it anyway... just for me.

These two were definitely nervous, but we'd done all we could to make the day go as smooth as possible.  I met with the principal last Spring and together we carefully chose their class placements.  They both have great teachers that I think will be perfect for each of them.  After the last day of school, we went over to Ilalko and the principal himself gave Hunter and Emma a tour of the school.  Hunter focused on everything that was different or not like Lakeland - things like the library being in the center of the school and not at the end.  This is about when we started having our talks about being positive.  Emma seemed more at ease as soon as she saw that the school mascot was  a Husky and there was a giant mural of a Husky just outside the office.  Oh how that girl loves dogs.  Yesterday we went down to the school to meet with their teachers and see their classrooms all set up.  We got to see where their desks were and ask any questions we had.  I really am impressed with their teachers so far and I feel confident that it will be a great year.

But - this morning was hard.  I could see how nervous they were as soon as we pulled into the parking lot.  (We decided to save riding the bus for tomorrow.)  We were quite early and Hunter chose to wait in the car while I walked Emma to her door and made sure she could find it from any angle of the playground.  That was one of her major concerns.  

It felt sad to be taking this picture without her best buddy Natalie who has held her hand on the first day every other year.  Darn, I wish she were next to her in this picture.

At this point enough other kids had started to arrive that Hunter felt more comfortable coming out of the car.  We made our way to his classroom and I could see in his mannerisms how anxious he was feeling.  I just wanted to scoop him up into a big hug, but I knew that would embarrass him so instead I just gave him a sideways cool hug and told him good luck.  He stiffened even at that and without glancing back headed nervously into his classroom full of strange kids he didn't recognize.  I know he'll be fine, but this boy really struggles with change.

Emma's teacher had just let the kids in when I came back to see Emma off.  She happily let me in to say goodbye to Emma but I was caught off guard to realize that I was one of two parents there.  Emma also seemed pretty nervous, but we knew a little girl from church was also in her class and knowing that Emma was new, her sweet teacher had arranged for these two girls to sit right next to each other.

Like Hunter, I found myself caught up a little in the differences between the two schools.  Lakeland is a walking school and because of that, on the first day parents all walk with their kids to send them off.  Here at the new school, busses brought the kids and they all just made their way to their classrooms and that was that.  I'm sure they had their send offs at the bus stop instead.  I tried to stay positive but I admit, a little part of me thought about the old school.  I knew exactly where we would be and how the morning would have gone and what the pictures would have looked like.  A tear or two rolled down my cheeks even before I made it to my car and once I go there I let out a good sob.  As I drove home I passed their old school and I could still see crowds of parents talking outside their kids classrooms.  Some were walking home already and I passed a few of my old neighbors. For the last 7 years, that is where we had been on the first day of school.  It all felt wrong.  

But, it's going to be okay.  I have to remind myself of the pep talks I've been giving my kids all Summer long.  

I came home to a quiet house.  Jared was in his office working and Austin was still sleeping.  I peeked into my kids empty rooms and was pleasantly surprised to see that we are off to a great start.  Both of my girls left their rooms nice and clean with neatly made beds.

Hunter didn't get to making his bed, but it may have been because Austin was still sleeping.  

I'd better finish up this post because Austin is up now and he and I have plans to play some UNO.  That's what he decided we would do when I asked him last night what he thought it would be like - just he and I all day.