First Grade!

Well, we made it through week one! It was really challenging in a lot of ways, but I think we're all settling into our new routine without too much trouble.


Tessa, of course, LOVES first grade. My daughter - the independent woman. I swear, the child has never had a moment of seperation anxiety in her whole life!
She walked into first grade like she owned the place. It helps that she has several friends in her class from last year, but really, I'd expect her to be as confident even if she didn't. In fact, last year she didn't know anyone, and she was just as self assured.
It makes my life so much easier to know that she's having a great time at school. That way, my own 'little lost girl' feelings are all I have to worry about! If I had to worry that she was sad and missing me I think I'd just cease to send her to school altogether - and let's face it, I am not the homeschool type! I've nowhere near the patience for that.

Anyway, she loves it. Every night last week she told me "I'm so excited for school tomorrow, I don't think I'll be able to sleep at all tonight!" lol.
That's a bit of rebellion against her new bedtime - moved from 9:00 or 9:30 to 8:30 so she can get up for school on time. She doesn't like that much. I think once it's getting darker earlier she'll be okay. Right now the sun is setting at about 8:00, so when she goes to bed it's still fairly light outside.

Her teacher's name is Mrs. McKee - an older lady. We'd heard mixed reviews about her - one friend told us that they had a neighbor that had her last year and that she was mean. Another friend told us that they had friends that had her last year that loved her. I was a little wary going in - Tess loves school so much, I don't want one bad teacher ruining that for her in first grade! But so far she loves her. She says she's SO funny and SO silly.


Here are pictures of her, ready for school, all week long. http://s148.photobucket.com/albums/s23/1141Mandy/First%20Grade/
Last year I took a picture every morning for the whole first week - seemed like I ought to do it again this year, for traditions' sake!

Asher and I didn't adjust quite as easily to having our Tessa gone all day.
Monday was just a half day of school. I dropped her off, and managed not to cry. When I got home I cleaned out the pantry, a project I've been putting off for a while and one I knew would keep me busy almost until it was time to pick her up. I felt so down...just sad and melancholy. I don't want her to be 6. I don't want her to be in school all day. She's supposed to be a baby still!
After I'd put Ash down for his nap Matt called to see how I was doing...I put on a brave face, got off the phone as quickly as I could. And that's when I cried.
But I felt a lot better after!
Tuesday Matt took her to school for me. I cried again after she left. Asher cried when she and daddy drove away, he wanted to go, too! He seemed lost without her.
Wednesday Asher and I dropped Tessa off and then went to a doctors appointment and then the Mall for some socks and shoes for Tessa (she outgrew everything overnight!) - then home for his nap. I managed not to cry and felt pretty good. Asher asked about her several times on Wednesday.
Thursday was fine for me, but Asher cried when we dropped her off. Friday was short day, so we picked her up from school before either of us had a chance to miss her.
Monday was Labor Day, so she didn't have school. It was really nice to have her around all day again! Especially in the morning - that's when Asher misses her most, I think.
Today I teared up a little after I put Asher down, because this was usually our time together, and I miss her. But I'm doing okay. He seems fine, too.

I'll admit, it's fun to just have Asher for part of the day! He's such a sweet boy - today he told me he loved me when I put him down for his nap <3