First day of school

Well, Katie shipped off to middle school this morning by herself, and Abby and Zach headed to fourth and first grades together.

Abby didn't face any major transitions this year, so she was her usual happy self.

Zach has been nervous about starting at a new school and riding two buses to get there. Of course, he had Abby by his side, so it wasn't quite so scary.  She's going to sit with him on the bus and walk him to his classroom today, so he didn't have much to worry about.

When we got to the bus stop, he met up with Devin and all was well.  He even ran to get in line for the bus without saying goodbye.  (I rectified that immediately.)

Zach with best buddy Devin

 

Abby with best friend Meghan









Katie had the biggest transition of all. Going to a new (big!) school, changing classes (7 times), remembering three locker combinations, riding a new bus, walking alone to the bus, leaving an hour earlier. All this change had her on edge for the last two weeks.

Last night she went to bed just fine, but within five minutes was back up.  Her nerves just wouldn't let her sleep.  I laid down with her and about an hour and a half later she fell asleep.  This morning she acted like it was any other day.

I offered to walk to the bus stop with her, but she said no.  I get that. So I had to settle for sneaking out the back door and hiding behind my lilac bush from which location I could see her standing alone on the corner in the early morning light.  (Soon she will be waiting there in the dark.)

I know they will all be fine and do well.  I just keep hearing Fleetwood Mac's "Landslide":

Well, I've been afraid of changes,

Because I built my whole life around you.

But time makes us bolder,

Children get older,

And I'm getting older too.

Off to 4th and 1st grades

Katie off to 6th grade