The Young and the Restless

First day

He can't even wipe his own bum, how can he possibly go to school all day long?  This sums up how we both felt about this day.

On your 5th birthday you graduate from Kindy and begin all day as a New Entrant at primary school.  He said his goodbyes on the last day before spring break. Miss Sue, the one on the left, was his favorite.  He said he liked the way she talked and he liked the way she looks.  Apparently he's got a thing for older women. Kindy was heaven for him, free reign to unleash his creative powers, permission to color outside the lines and the power to create his own curriculum.  I wish he could have stayed here for the full year. I just don't feel like he's ready to sit in a desk and follow rules for 6 hours a day.  They have a few school visits leading up to their first day and one of them they allow the mum to stay with them.  From what I observed they are all at such different levels since they come at different times, some can read and write and others don't even know all their letters.  I'm sure it's challenging as a teacher to cater to the different needs and to reteach all the rules and routines with each new student, to me it just makes more sense to have everyone start at the same time, but when in Rome...

So that morning was a whirlwind as they rushed out the door to school and I was left in a quiet house surveying the birthday carnage. Syrup dripping on the counter, sheets of paper shredded all over the floor, crusts of bread cut off their sandwiches for school lunches.  And I was sad, like really sad.  The storm clouds rolled dramatically in and added to the poetic justice of it all. Then I drowned my sorrows in a mop bucket and went to work.

He drew a heart on my hand so that I would remember he loved me and so that I wouldn't be too sad.  Instead it made me wonder who was going to help me garden. Who was going to bake with me and tell me every time without fail that vanilla mixed with sugar looks like applesauce. Who was going to make me picture frames out of toilet paper.  Who was going to tell me with his little lisp that I am the best girl and the best mom in the world. At least 53 times a day. I really am going to miss my little side kick who is loyal to a fault. But at least I have my wee little cheeky monkey (a name he gets frequently called by strangers. It's very fitting.) to keep me entertained. I thought Ryder would miss the kids but when left to his own devices he conducts his morning ritual like a boss.  First off raiding Jayden's nerf gun stash, then combing through Maddox's treasures under his bed and finally sorting through Kylie's shell collection.  He is quite enjoying this new found freedom and I figure as long as I put everything back then what they don't know won't hurt them.

Maddox came home exhausted and grouchy. We had an epic meltdown at the movie store with him huddled in the corner behind a shelf of DVD's and yelling for the whole store to hear "how can you hate me on my birthday?!" all because I wouldn't cave and buy him the overpriced candy.  He said school was too long, he missed me and he didn't want to go back. Thankfully he changed his tune after a good night's rest and he was all smiles the next day (these pictures are from the second day since I didn't have my act together to be ready in time on the first).  And when I picked him up he talked my ear off the entire way home about getting picked to bring Mr. Bojangles the bear home and about how his teacher sits there and relaxes with ear plugs all day and the best news of all...he wiped his own bum all by himself.  Even if I'm not ready, I guess he just might be.

(This is what the inside of every kindergarten classroom should look like)