The First Day of School

Having two kids with anxiety issues certainly makes life more interesting. When anticipated events come about, they are seldom carefree or easy. Today was the first day of school for 2009. Devon started Middle School, Josiah was off to fourth grade in a new building, Ethan went to second grade, and my baby started first grade. I had carefully planned and tried to anticipate this morning, and all the concerns and thrills the kids have on this exciting day. We met their teachers, we toured the schools, we already dropped off all their school supplies, so their backpacks wouldn't be so heavy. We talked about fears one-on-one. We gave lots of reassurances that things would be great. We laid out clothes, had backpacks and shoes ready to go. We even bought the "good cereal", so breakfast would be a breeze. Greg was working, but I didn't need to get out the door too, so we were hoping that things would go smoothly this morning. I don't know why I keep anticipating smooth mornings. :)

Ethan wanted to sleep with me last night, but went to bed in his own bed. He appeared in my room at 2:25am. I held him and re-assured him that I loved him, he was safe and he was staying forever. Also that mommy loves to cuddle him. (He has been at the emotional age of 3 for several days now.) He got to stay in my bed until 4:30am when he was awake and talking loudly to me about...(I can't even remember...but it was either transformers or what he would play on the playground.) He was sent back to his bed to sleep. (I am not convinced this happened.)

Devon was awake promptly at six, and I heard the shower running, which after showering last night means that he had another run-in with his enemy enuresis. (Anxiety will do that.) Not a big deal. Once again, I don't know why these things sometimes surprise me.

Once the shower was on, Sydney and Ethan were fully awake. Sydney, concerned about her hair looking studpid and that her teacher might forget her name. Ethan screaming at the top of his lungs about how excellent he is...(Ethan is great and excellent and everybody loves me, sung to a made up tune, 10 decibles higher than a talking voice, let alone, an I-just-woke-up-at-six-am-voice.) WOW!

Ethan is calmed with a hug, an I love you and meds being quickly put into his body so they can take effect very soon. It did not work, he continued to bounce off the walls and do everything but eat breakfast. Devon is pacing and lost as to where he might find his toothbrush and how to brush his teeth.

I've now realized that Josiah is not up. He decided he would rather sleep...he slowly made his way to the breakfast table after several prompts.

After many reminders, and help, we are mostly out the door for those wonderful first day pictures. Sydney smiles beautifully with her new short hair cut for back-to-school. Ethan's hand is taken and he is led to the bench for his picture. He can only do silly faces, but does make 2 attempts at smiles for the camera, instead of tongue lagging out. Devon is screaming at everyone because there was a hole in the top of the milk jug he uses to water the dogs. He now hates everyone, but especially Ethan. Did I mention he is screaming about his intense hatred, and shaking with anger. (He wasn't quite ready to smile for his back-to-school picture.) Josiah does miraculously make it out for the bus and is all smiles, even though he also had to take out the garbage and feed the dogs. Although his back-to-school haircut didn't happen yet, but certainly needs to. Devon is now somewhat regulated again, so I did get 1/2 of a smile. Then we had to do pictures with all four kids. I think I got an OK one after all the silly faces.

Then the best part of my morning. The individual hugs and reassurances that they will be great and their teachers will love them. We are now regulated, smiling and the bus pulls up. They line up from smallest to tallest and board the bus for their first day of school. At 7am I am exhausted! But I now have an 8 hour break. Yeah! :)