here we go

Back to school again.

Although I have lots to share about our NY trip, including a big scare on the subway, a 10 hour trip home and tons of pictures, I just couldn't pass up on sharing this morning's events, cuteness and goodbyes.

They're growing so fast. I miss having them home.

I can hardly believe my big boy is in kindergarten this year!



My girl was all smiles leaving the house and ready to go to her last year of preschool!

OK. I know. I'm biased. But aren't they full of sweetness?

After arriving at school, we headed off to drop off Kai at his classroom first. Since we were out of town last week, we missed Open House so he hadn't had a chance to meet his new teacher. I was anticipating he'd be nervous. But nope. He walked in after saying, "Good marnin" and found his name on his desk. Quickly he settled in and before I knew it, he was saying, "Bye Mama". I was really a bit anxious about whether or not his teacher would have enough patience to understand him, but calmed down soon after meeting her. She seemed very sweet. I hugged my big boy with a quivering lip (mine not his) and allowed my tears to be dried by his shirt as his little arms wrapped around me. He sweetly said, "It's OK, Mama!" Then he kissed AJ and Anna Grace goodbye and we were off to drop off Anna Grace at her PK class.

Anna Grace is blessed again this year to have the same wonderful teacher she's had for the past 2 years, so I thought it would be easy for her.

Wrong.

Although I tried to explain to them over the past month that Kai and she would be in different classrooms now because Kai was going to kindergarten, I guess it didn't compute. Her entire demeanor changed the second she realized she was not staying in Kai's classroom. I lost all eye contact and she would not respond to my questions. We talked, or shall I say I talked, for a bit while we were alone in her classroom waiting for her teacher, but she had that you-betrayed-me look in her eye. Shortly afterwards, more kids started coming into the room as well as her teacher and the teacher's assistant. The teacher asked Anna Grace about vacation and after some nudging she reluctantly responded.

AJ hopped out of his stroller and went to play and Anna Grace soon followed. She was a bit more at ease. I called her over and asked her for a hug and kiss goodbye. She swung around with no eye contact and sighing heavily said, "OOOO-KAAAYY". She allowed me to kiss her and hug her, but did not show much emotion. Change is hard for her. She's been home for two months and was adjusting after a rough beginning at home, now we're back to school. I think she'll be fine, but it's a process and she has to again learn to trust that school is not a "permanent home". By the time I left, she had gone back to playing.

We swung around to Kai's class once more and he happened to glance out the doorway just as we walked by. A huge grin spread across his face as he shouted, "Hi Mama!", blew me a kiss and quickly began coloring again.

They grow so fast.

Where did all my babies go?