Start of another school year

It is that time of year once again. Yet it is still August. It is not supposed to be time to go back to school. Shakopee schools this year will start early so they can end early (August 22-May 25). The high school will be getting an addition next summer so we had a short summer this year and will have a long one next summer. It really makes me love the fact that our normal start time is after Labor Day. It’s still summer!! But I’ll just be happy for the extra time next summer. Anywho back to the purpose of this post…we have some kids going to school! Sevea is now in 2nd grade and a total pro at this going to school thing.

The girl who slept in every morning during the summer bounced out of bed ready for school. She was excited for sure. I had trouble keeping her from getting ready too soon. A thankful change from the beginning of school the past two years.

Cohen was also excited for the new school year. He was eligible to start Kindergarten but we decided to hold him back and he’ll start when he is 6 years old. Since he started preschool when he was 3 and went every morning essentially, we chose to send him to all day preschool. He goes to school from 9-3 and the bus will pick him up and drop him off. We figured this was a good transition for him to prepare for Kindergarten. So although he was going back to the same school, it was still a change for him. He gets a lunch packed just like his sister! He gladly got on the bus and had a great first day. I can already tell this year will be a good one for him.

I also have one more kiddo to talk about. No it’s not Brynna. It’s Grayson. I’ve been fortunate enough to spend almost every single day of his 5 years of life with him. Many of those days I was responsible for teaching, loving, caring, and disciplining him just as if he were one of my own kids. Those days included smiles, giggles, whining, crying, frustration and every other emotion that comes along with parenting a child. So of course there were days where I couldn’t wait for this day to come. But when the day actually came it really hit me. I was making lunch and I didn’t need to make him a plate. But why was it hitting me now. Cohen was also gone and not needing a lunch plate. For me when my kids go to Kindergarten it means I won’t see them all day. So I thought why is it not hitting me the same for Cohen. But the big thing for me about Kindergarten, especially after having one kid complete the grade, is that they are truly growing up and this is not just the start of school but the start of a new life for them. They learn and grow so much that first year of school. It is almost like that first year of life. They gain so much independence. From learning how to sit and listen during class to learning how to read and write. Everything in Kindergarten is meant to turn these little kids into less of a kid and inch them one step closer to being an adult. So as I made lunch I thought about Grayson and all that this year meant for him. I cried a couple tears knowing that the little boy I helped raise will be forever changed after that first day of school.

So how did Grayson do? Oh he did great. No tears were shed. He was excited and had a great day. Sevea took on the best cousin role by helping him get on the bus and making sure he found his way at school. No one asked her to do these things but that’s the mom in her. She might just make a good stay at home mom someday :) (Funny thing that is her second option next to staying home and doing nothing…this girl has set really big dreams for herself. But I suppose if she can figure that out but still be able to afford a place to live and all the other necessities, she would be a success in my book!)