School changes...for all of us.

So Adele started school this year. Pre-K, technically.

Her school is right around the corner from us, so we drive past it every day. Ever since we registered Adele for school last spring, she points out her school as we drive by. To say she was excited is a bit of an understatement.

Two days before school started we went to the Meet The Teacher night. She got to see her classroom, find her cubby, dance around on the rug a bit, and introduce herself to her new teacher.

Naturally, even though she is in the afternoon group and doesn't need to be at school until noon, she was standing beside our bed early in the morning on the first day of school whispering loudly "I get to go to school today!"

Like most moms who are sending their kid off to school for the first time, I spent a lot of time attempting to prepare Adele (and myself) for school. We talked about what she might expect, things she might do, things she was excited to learn. We got her dressed, hair done, ate lunch early, took pictures, and felt like we were ready.

And like most moms, I swallowed the lump in my throat and wore my sunglasses to mask my eyes filling up with tears as she lined up with her class and walked bravely and excitedly into school.

Unfortunately, with all the preparing Adele and I had done, we seemed to forget to prepare Henry.

All morning long, when Adele would say "I get to go to school!" he would reply "me too!" When she got her backpack, he went and found one as well.

When we took her picture on the front porch, he wanted one too.

When she lined up with her class, he begged to get down and stand next to her.

When all the kids went inside, he stood at the door begging to go in with her.

And finally, the poor kid gave up and gave me a big hug, burying his head in my shoulder and sobbing so sadly.

On the positive side, I was forced to focus my energy on something other than my own empty feeling.

And of course, I should mention David's school changes. He finished up his Masters this past spring (YAY!!!) and rolled right over into the PhD program this fall. So proud of his accomplishments!

I didn't want him to feel left out, so I snapped a picture of his first day of school this year too as we dropped him off. :)