We Survived The First Week of School!

This week was the first full week of school.  It was Logan's first full week of being at school all day long, it was our first week of Alex's new therapies schedule, and we also had back-to-school night last night.  So, it was a rather busy week. We are all tired, Logan has been emotional this week, and the boys even brought home their first fundraiser booklets of the year.  I couldn't believe it when I pulled it out of their back packs--we've been in school six days and already have a fund raiser.  I was looking through the booklets and Alex said, "Mom, just put it in the trash."  I said, "What?" He said, "I remember it from last year.  I had to sell things, we had to pick up the stuff when it came in . . . " he rolled his eyes and said, "Its so boring."  I said, "But it gives money to your school."  He said, "Then why not just give them some money.  Why do we have to do this?"  (and he pointed to the booklet.)  Their reactions were so funny.  Logan even said, "I don't want to do it either.  You never get a big prize anyway."   We will try to sell a few things, but their attitudes about it really tickled me.

It has been so hot outside that they don't get to play on the playground every day.  The highlight of their days seems to be getting to play on the playground, which has only happened a couple of times.  Logan got to go to the school library today and that was a big deal to him. They both enjoy music class and P.E. and have told me they like doing art in their classroom more than any of the other work.

The boys both enjoy taking their lunch to school.  We have tried to encourage them to eat in the cafeteria from time to time, but they just aren't interested.  I remember taking my lunch every day when I was little so I can't say that I blame them.  They get to pick out one or two Lunchables a week to take in lunches once or twice a week.  We make little pigs in a blanket for them to take, Mac & cheese, sandwiches, wraps, Vienna Sausages with cheese sticks, pickles for Logan, fruit--lunches are fun because we can be creative and I KNOW they are going to eat lunch if I send something they like.  There are no guarantees that they will eat the cafeteria food and I would rather them eat and not be starving by the time I pick them up from school.

We haven't started homework yet--that will start next week.  Alex gets to have spelling tests every Friday so I know that will occupy a lot of our time. There is math homework, reading charts for both boys, and weekly homework as well.  Toss this in with Alex's therapies, doctor's appointments, oh, yeah, and throwing a baby into the mix in about 11 weeks and we will be one busy family.  Because of Alex's schedule the boys never want to try any extracurricular activities.We stay so busy at Sensational Kids and OU Childrens these days that the boys seem to cherish any down time they get to just play together or relax in front of the TV watching a show.

I think this is going to be a good school year.  I know it will be one we will not forget.

Another School Year

Today was the first day of school for the boys. Last night Logan was bouncing around the house excited about starting Kindergarten.  He would say, "I'm going to be in Kindergarten, mom."  Alex would sadly say, "I don't want to go to school."  Bedtime was interesting last night because Alex kept getting out of bed just to tell me he loved me and get one more hug. This is something Logan does, but not Alex. We could tell he was nervous and not looking forward to today.

This morning Alex woke up around 6:40.  He was quiet and requested his usual waffle (which he asks for every morning).  I  turned on the TV so he could watch cartoons for a bit and went into the kitchen to make his waffle. He went through his morning routine in a quiet, nearly depressed state.

At 7:15 I had to wake up Logan. He immediately jumped out of bed and said, ""I'm hungry!  I want cereal."  We have a lot of different types of cereal so I told him to pick one.  I opened the pantry door and he stood there and looked.  "Lucky Charms--no. Apple Jacks--no.  Fruity Pebbles--no.  Cocoa Puffs--no."  (How much kid cereal do we have?  LOL)  Finally I heard him say, "Trix!  YES!"  He brought it to me and I poured a bowl of cereal for him.  I heard him say, "I get to go to kindergarten today, big brother," to Alex.  Alex responded with a sigh and, "I know."

They finished breakfast and we got ready to go to school.  Logan kept trying to talk to Alex and Alex obviously didn't want to talk.  So, I told Logan to talk to me and let Alex look out the window.  We got to school and it was a madhouse.  Cars everywhere.  We ended up parking a couple of blocks from the school and walking.

As we walked Logan started saying, "My legs are getting tired."  I said, "Mine, too, buddy."  He said, "But my legs are shorter than yours."  I was carrying a paper sack full of Logan's school supplies--it wasn't the lightest thing in the world.  I said, "Well, at least you're not carrying school supplies," and Logan said, "And I'm not pregnant, right mom."  Alex laughed and I said, "yes, I'm VERY glad you're not pregnant, Logan."

We kept walking and eventually made it to the school. We took Alex first because I couldn't find the folders Logan was supposed to have and I had hoped that I had packed them in Alex's school supplies.  They weren't there so I guess I'll be making a trip to the store before Monday. We found Alex's desk and I told him goodbye, loved on him, and then said, "You will be great.  If you're nice, you listen, you follow the rules, and you try your best you are going to do just fine."  His voice was shaky and his eyes were full of tears.  He said, "Yes, mom."  My eyes started burning too and it was so hard to leave him.  I received a text later saying he was doing great.

I walked Logan to his classroom where he walked right in, started saying, "I have a spider-man back pack and lunch bag," and "look at my shoes, they light up."  He was more than fine. I asked to take his picture by his cubby and he said, "sure, mom, but I may not smile."  He didn't--instead he gave me the cutest, annoyed expression I have ever seen from this child.  He went and picked a book and Mrs. Cook said, "Logan, lets take a picture for mom."  (Logan has the same teacher Alex has had for the past two years so Logan knows her and Mrs. Cook knows Logan).  Logan sighed and rolled his eyes, set his book down, and refused to smile.  After I took the picture he said, "Are we done? I am a little busy."  I laughed--it was just so funny . . . and so Logan.  I kissed his head, hugged him, and told him I loved him and then I left.

I'm sure I will hear all kinds of stories when I pick them up in a bit.  I know it will be a good year!