School

Today marks the beginning of a new era in our life: our eldest begins school. It really does feel like he's leaving the nest. It's such a big world out there (good, but yikes!) and he's so little.

I'm trying to be very mature about it. Which is not something that he's having much trouble with, seems like. He is so excited - to ride the bus, to be in the classroom, to eat lunch in the cafeteria, to play outside at recess, to learn even. We met his kindergarten teacher, Mrs. James, on Monday and also went to an all-elementary school open house. It gave us a really, really good feeling about this whole school thing. What an amazing thing to live in a small town with a small school (the same one my dad and I attended before him), and with such kind and caring teachers and staff.

Our day began with mate at 6:00am, as usual, then breakfast and Anna scoping out the weather conditions (very fine indeed, but very cool).

The bus is going to be coming by our place at 6:55am each morning. School begins at 8:10, so it's quite a long spell before he'll even begin learning each morning. I very much have to fight my helicopter-parent tendencies and not try to manipulate all the details into a perfect scenario. He'll be just fine (not get too hungry, not throw up on the bus, not fall asleep, not have to go to the bathroom, not get bullied or be a bully, not...all before school). It helps that he is exceedingly excited and not at all concerned about the details.

Here we are, waiting for the bus on a lovely crisp, fall day.

There it is!

Anna is very mature about all of this. She wants very badly to be starting school too (and honestly, I think she is just as ready as he is), but she does not act too envious or sad, but rather is excited for Jonathan. Still, it will be a long two years before she begins kindergarten...This morning she and I will be working at the MCC thrift store, so that at least was something to look forward to.

My mom scored this awesome retro school desk at an auction recently. It got a lot of use leading up to today.

And that, I guess, is the end of our summer. What a good one it has been!