So, things have been a little busy. The day before school started, I went with my soon-to-be first grader to the orientation meeting where they told us that the kids would be in class for a long day (comparatively), and that everything would be okay. And that no, we didn't get to see the class assignments early. They were scheduled to be posted in just an hour and a half and we would have to come back to the school to get that information. I'm a little miffed about them not telling us the assignments and the second trip to the school (even though I would have had to make the second trip anyway, since we would need to go to see my daughter's class assignment. Which we didn't have to do after all because a friend called and told us who our teachers would be. But it's the principle of the matter. I digress. It's been that kind of a week.)
Look at this cute back to school survival kit my friend brought me! Thanks, Mandy!
So, we went to the meeting. At the meeting, they told us that the supply list was posted on the website, under the obscure "resources" link. Because that makes total sense to HIDE the supply list as a nondescript resource instead of putting it prominently on the front page of the website. Which, eventually, they did put on the front page — but not until like that day that I mentally complained about it. Anyway, I digress. Like I said, it's been that kind of a week.
Oh, and you should have seen the concerned look on my little guy's face when the principal said that he didn't want to "throw the new teacher into the fire" on her first day of school.
"...There's a FIRE?!?"
The point in this VERY interesting story of the supply list, is that I finally had it, and I had no time to shop for it. I had house guests, and my husband's BFF on the highway patrol was stopping by for dinner in his cruiser.
I have to admit, it's got an edge over the fire truck in some areas; it can show up at home, and it has sparkly blue lights, too.
And it comes with cool things like bullet proof vests.
"...But what happens if they shoot your arm?"
So, it was kind of a busy day. And I didn't even think I NEEDED to go supply shopping before school. I thought I could wait until they handed out the lists on back to school night like they did last year. But then I found the top secret list and felt compelled to buy everything. That night. Because school was in the morning, and what kid wants to bring an empty backpack to school? The thought of empty backpacks haunted me. (I forgot about the fact that it would contain snacks and lunches; it's been a busy week and my brain can't keep up. Just ask my sister-in-law, who I inadvertently locked outside on the patio. Sorry, Heather!)
So, at 11 that night, in spite of the tiredness that set in after wrestling the kids to bed in their hyper-excited (back-to-school plus cousin visiting plus police car) state, I tracked down an open store and stared at the dry erase markers and pencil cases like a zombie. Then I made my choice, and changed my mind a bunch of times. Then I went to the office supply section and stared and changed my mind some more. Finally, I made it home, found the requisite old sock to include as a dry erase eraser, and stared at the piles of supplies some more. Then I decided that it would probably be a good idea at that point to go to bed.
Oh, and I gave my son a haircut sometime that evening, too.
The next morning I woke up early and eager to get the kids ready for school. Their clothes were all set to go, Dad cooked breakfast, and everything seemed to be going smoothly. But actually getting them all put together and making sure the right supplies ended up in the right bags ate up our free time. It was a rush to get to school on time.
We made it, with a few minutes to spare. The only problem was that there was no parking close by. After driving far, far away, my kids spilled out of the car and told me they were going to run fast, fast, fast to their classes. I hurried them along, but realized within a few moments that their backpacks were overwhelming them.
The supplies were too heavy!!
My first grader INSISTED that he carry his backpack all the way to class. I pushed for him to let me carry it, but it was not going to happen without a battle of wills. He had it pictured in his mind that he would carry his backpack to class, and that's what was comforting to him. Since carrying his backpack by himself made him feel secure and in control of the situation, I let him win that battle. I accepted our fate, our pace slowed, I took his hand, and we meandered to class as the bell rang and declared us late.
My daughter ran ahead, insisting she knew how to find her class. So I let her. My little man and I walked into class late, but content and happy. At least, he was. I was still worrying about my daughter actually being able to find her class. And then I worried when I had to leave his class before all the other parents left, to go make sure my daughter found her class. Because what if his teacher said "Okay, wave goodbye to your parents!" and he was sad that he couldn't find me to wave goodbye? Sigh. Gotta love parental anxiety!
When I got home, I realized that I had forgotten to send lunch money with the kids. It's been that kind of week. My husband kindly ran it over to the school while I sat still for a moment.
We spent the rest of the day hanging out with the little kids and assembling the pool, which came just in time for this heat wave.
The day dragged as I waited for school to get out. I worried about how the first day was going. Finally, when it was time to pick them up, the kids told me how awesome the first day was and my anxieties were put to rest. My son showed me the dolphin picture he worked on at school. "Look mom," he told me with a grin, "I turned them into SEA MONSTERS!!"
Yay, he used the supplies! Then I came home and took a nap, happy that I didn't have to go school supply shopping.
So yeah, I blame the supplies. It's all their fault.
The end.
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