First Day of School!

Well, it's here! The first day of school has arrived. Last night, getting Samuel and Avery to actually go to sleep was difficult. They were both crying about not wanting to start school, which of course made me start crying. Avery kept saying that she was going to miss me and that she wanted to be with me during the day. Samuel kept saying that he liked spending time with me much more than he liked spending time at school. I've been told before that the fact that my kids want to be at home is a good sign that they feel loved and comfortable in their home. And while I realize that ultimately that's a good thing, right now it just makes us all feel a bit sad. As I explained to Samuel and Avery last night, we are a close-knit family, and we love each other deeply. It will always be difficult, more than likely, for us to leave each other and deal with changes in our family. But, I told them that whenever they feel sad during the day at school, they can remember all of the wonderful days we have spent together, and remember that we will definitely have many more happy days together in the future.

This morning went about as smoothly as it could. We were eating breakfast together when Avery started crying. She told me that she knew she was supposed to be happy about starting school, but was it okay if she cried anyway? What can I say, she is definitely my daughter. The tears flow as freely from Avery as they do from me! :-)

We dropped Samuel off at his classroom first. He cried a little bit, but overall he did really great. And do you remember how he didn't want any pictures taken at Meet The Teacher Night? Well, today, he had hit his limit of picture taking once we actually got to school, and refused to smile in the picture above that Hector took of him and I at his desk. Oh well... I told him, as I was leaving, that this would be the only "First Day of First Grade" that he would every have, so he'd better make it a good one! He was laughing as I left...

Avery started crying the moment we hit the parking lot of the school, poor thing! It was probably more difficult saying good bye to her than it was when Samuel started Kindergarten. She was a mess. I managed to not cry this morning, even though Avery was crying. I had planned a quick and smooth exit from Avery's classroom, but as I was heading out of the room her teacher asked if I would like to sit down and stay for a minute or two. AGH! So, I sat next to Avery, which made her even more upset when I did actually get ready to leave. Hector and I waited in the hallway for a minute or two, and peeked back in the classroom. There was Avery, playing and sitting at a table full of girls, looking happy. On our way out of the building, I couldn't help but peek into Samuel's classroom too. He was sitting at his desk, and he looked happy. He smiled at me and I smiled back. And off we went to start our day!

As some of you may remember, I put together a slide show when Samuel started Kindergarten. Well, I have put together one for Avery too. :-) Would you expect anything else? It took forever (or so it seemed) to post the video here. So, I hope you all enjoy it!!! And by the way, for some reason the last song of the slide show messes up in a couple of places and starts playing another song. But I like the song so much that I left it on there anyway. Just hang in there when it starts to mess up, because it corrects itself after a few seconds. I hope it all works (keeping my fingers crossed)!!!

Being at home this morning without the big kids is, well, quiet. Isaac has been wondering up and down the hallway asking for Avery. It breaks my heart every time I see him get to the end of the hallway, poke his head around the corner where Avery's bedroom is, and call out "A-E" which is how he pronounces her name. I guess we all have some adjusting to do!

I know that many of you have either started back to work today, or have kids starting back to school today. I hope that you all have a truly wonderful first day of school! Thank you all for your support and prayers. It means everything for Hector and I to know that so many of you are praying for Samuel and Avery during this time of adjustment.