First Day of School! First Day of School!

Ezra rode his bike to school today!
This is Ezra in front of his classroom.
This is Ezra at North Riverside Elementary - Home of the Rockets!

I can really only handle one at a time!

We woke up on time this morning and I really thought I had this all under control. We had layed Ezra's clothes out the night before and talked about our routine. Ezra was really nervous when he woke up and didn't feel like eating, so the waffles (frozen, by the way - I'm not SuperMom) stayed on their plate this morning. We opted for some snuggle time instead. We got both the kids dressed and teeth brushed and we were ready to go.

Our family loaded up on our bikes for the short ride to school. I was really glad that we were riding bikes as the line of cars to get to school was backed up past our street! We got there much faster than if we had been in the car. I didn't think I was stressed out, but when we got to the school I was really feeling the need to be close to Ezra and just make sure everything was OK. I parked my bike in the bike rack and went to help Ezra get his bike locked, when suddenly behind me I hear a screaming child. After a few seconds, I realize - Hey that's my child! That's right, I have 2 children! Kaylen was on the back of my bike and I had completely forgotten about her and walked away. The bike can't stand up with the extra weight in the back, so of course it had fallen over on the concrete and scraped her arm and bonked her head. I'm really not exaggerating when I say that all of the other parents were looking at us with that look -- you know the one.

We dropped Ezra off at his room (with Kaylen still crying) and I was really impressed. I think his teacher has it together. The kids who were already there were seated, happy, and busy. She was able to give individual attention to every student who walked in. I felt really good about leaving him, but I still came home and cried. I comforted myself with the fact that I still have one more year where I spend more time with him than any other adult.

I picked him up at 11:00 today and he said he had a great time! He's ready to go back tomorrow. Luckily I have 2 more weeks before kaylen starts school and I have to really take care of both of them at the same time!

'Twas the Night Before Kindergarten

I found this on someone else's blog. I thought it was so cute, so I wanted to add it to mine! So, here it is - blatantly stolen:

'Twas the night before kindergarten, and as they prepared,
kids were excited and a little bit scared.
They tossed and they turned about in their beds,
while visions of school supplies danced in their heads.
Erasers and crayons and pencils galore
were stuffed in their backpacks and set by the door.
Outfits were hung in the closets with care,
knowing that kindergarten soon would be there.
In the morning it came--school starts today!
Would the teacher be nice? Would they still get to play?
Faces were washed, and teeth were brushed white;
kids posed for pictures with eyes sparkling bright.
Parents packed snacks, and kids hopped in cars
as if they were boarding a spaceship to Mars.
Some kids brought blankets or their favorite stuffed bear,
in hopes they could nap like they did last year.
Their parents exclaimed, "You're big kids--wow!
Let us hold your bears and blankies for now."
The parents were worried their children would cry
if they left them at school with just a good-bye.
So they told their darlings, "If you want, we can stay
and make sure that everythingwill be A-okay."
The teacher then greeted each one with a smile,
and invited the students to stay for a while.
The room was all filled with toys, books, and maps,
but where are the beds for midmorning naps?
They colored and painted and played Simon Says,
then tumbled and skipped and stood on their heads.
They sang silly songs from beginning to end.
Within just a minute, each kid had a friend.
The children were happy. They loved Miss Sunrise!
It was she who was in for a giant surprise.
When what to her wondering eyes should appear
but sad moms and dad who were holding back tears!
Their noses--so sniffly! Their eyes--red and wet!
This was the saddest good-bye Miss Sunrise had seen yet!
She gathered the grown-ups on the magical rug,
then sent them away after one final hug.
The children all waved from the door of the school,
"Don't cry, Mom and Dad; kindergarten is cool!"
-- by Natasha Wing

Meet Your Teacher

Tonight was meet your teacher night at school. This is Ezra with his new teacher, Mrs. Bryant. Ezra starts his first day of Kindergarten at 8:00 on Monday morning.