They’re Baaack! The First Day of School

Around the tri-state, Moms are high fiving each other this week as their children head back to school. But some, like me, also have a lump in their throat and a hole in their heart as we watch our babies leave the nest and disappear into classrooms.

This Tuesday was my twins Jack and Nina’s first day of kindergarten. Their big brother Luke is entering third grade at Strathmore Elementary, the same Aberdeen school as his siblings, so he’s been mentally preparing them. “You’ll get recess and free time, and there will be birthday parties where Moms bring in cupcakes and donuts!”

I’d been charged with the physical preparations, filling shiny new backpacks and lunch bags with the necessary accessories, and readying outfits the night before so my first morning with three school kids would not be a three-ring circus.

Luke was a little miffed when I called them in for dinner at six on Monday. “Why can’t we stay outside and play?” he pleaded. “It’s still daylight and we haven’t finished what we’re building!” I gently reminded him that we had to do dinner, showers, and get a good night’s sleep. After all, they’d been outside all day, swimming and playing with their friends, having one last hurrah before their summer officially came to an end.

A silent thank you to Mother Nature for making the Labor Day weather so enjoyable.  And, though the rainy first day of school was definitely dreary, it marked a nice contrast that made it less painful for kids to head back to the classroom.

Nina told me she was excited but nervous because, “I don’t know how to do school.” I assured her that neither did any of the other kindergartners, but that her super nice teacher, Mrs. Marion, would show them all the ropes.

Jack was equally eager, but also a little scared. “Mommy, I’m going to miss you!” I knew how he felt, but reminded him that Nina would be in his class, and I would be in his heart.

Luke was happy he was going to see all his school friends but also sad he would have to leave me after spending such an amazing summer together. I, too, felt sad that the house would be emptying out, but I know how much he loves school, and the twins, who turned five last December, are more than ready. Plus, I’ve got eight years worth of clutter, chores and projects to get to, so I was ready too.

Tuesday morning, Jack ran into my bedroom smiling, “I’m so excited!” Nina couldn’t wait to put on the pretty dress she’d picked out and have me style her hair in our pre-agreed braids and bow. Luke, the veteran, trailed in last, wanting me to assure him that we were on schedule. School began at 9:20. It was 7:05. Yup, we should be fine.

Then, after three months of no routine and late bedtimes, culminating in a family vacation that only ended two days ago, suddenly we were off to the races. Breakfast! Teeth! Hair! Clothes! And don’t forget to make your beds! And now, instead of packing one lunch and shepherding one sheep, I had to ready three.

Nine a.m. came hurtling at us like a freight train, with Jack whining that his new school shoes were too big and his old one’s too tight. I still had the obligatory first day pictures to take, so we settled on a pair of blue Crocs and piled in the car.

On the rainy walk up to the school door, we saw familiar faces, and I saw the same looks of excitement and nerves. Another Mom, Erica, was also handing off her last born. “They’re still so little!” she marveled. “It doesn’t seem right.”

We all snapped our pictures, hugged and kissed, and watch our babies go inside. I swallowed my tears and went home to a quiet, hot cup of coffee that I drank, uninterrupted.

When my kids were handed back to me that afternoon, they were happy to see me and even happier to tell me about their day.  The first words out of Nina’s mouth? “I didn’t like the snack you gave me!” Poor thing. She had to wait six hours before she had someone to complain to! She did, however, love art class.

Luke was psyched to learn his good buddy Antonio was in his class. He also reiterated my thought, that since it rained all day, it's not like he missed out on anything. Jack made two new friends, a boy and a girl. But, unlike his preschool classmates, she had yet to tell him how cute he was and how she wanted to marry him. I give her about a week.

I welcomed the post-school chatter as my kids literally fought each other to speak. But I look forward to tomorrow morning’s quiet.

We all had a great first day. Only 179 to go!