First Day of School!

Today was Clayton's first day of first grade. I am still having a hard time believing that my little Clayton is in first grade. I used to teach first grade and Clayton somehow seems younger than my old students used to. Perhaps it's because he is a little young for first grade or perhaps it's because he's on the short side. Most probably though, it's because he's my baby and I have a had time accepting the fact that my kids are growing up.

Our morning started off with a bang. Minutes before I was supposed to wake Clayton up, I heard someone banging around in the boys' room. I assumed it was Clayton, eager to get started with the day. Wrong. It was Noah. Naked. Banging around in the dark looking for new underwear to replace the ones he'd wet and then stealthily hid from me (that's always a joy). The second I entered the room though, Clayton jumped out of bed, made it, and flew downstairs in record time. After neutralizing the Noah situation, our day got back on track and we were able to get Clayton ready with a few minutes to spare (it always helps that he's so cooperative at the beginning of the year).

This is where the morning gets hectic. Minutes before Clayton's bus is supposed to arrive, I load a pajama clad Josie in the stroller and Clayton, Noah, Josie and I make the 30 second walk to the bus stop. Because I'd anticipated being back to our house within 10 minutes (hopefully less) I left Disco out. 20 minutes later, we're still waiting. The location of Clayton's bus stop is also the bus stop for two other elementary schools. Clayton's bus is supposed to come first. We saw both of the other busses, but Clayton's was nowhere in sight. After 25 minutes, I informed Clayton that we were going to have to hurry back home, get in the car and drive. He was so upset. He loves riding the bus and had his heart set on it. After a few hugs and one threat, he walked back to the house and got in the car. I hurried and buckled the other kids in, and backed out of the garage. As I did this I saw, in the distance, a bus!

I yelled at Clayton to hurry and unbuckle and run to meet his bus. I've never seen him move so fast! I grabbed his backpack out of the passanger seat and chased him to the bus. When we got there, the bus driver looked at me and said, 'It's the first day of school, we're always a little late on the first day.' I bit my tounge and smiled and nodded like 30 minutes qualifies as only "a little late".

When I got back to the car (where I'd left Noah and Josie) Noah was screaming, "Help me! She's left us!" at the top of his lungs (lovely). Upon entering the house, I noticed that Disco had missed us so much in our absence that he'd gotten us a present. Chewed up pen. Delightful! When I opened the door to let him out (as a reward for his thoughtfulness) he bolted past me and ran away. I considered letting him go, but decided that the kids would probably pester me about his whereabouts until I found him. So I went on a Disco hunt (mind you, I was NOT dressed to do more than sit at the bus stop where no one but my kids would see me). I trooped through the forrest that sits adjacent to our house and then through the neighborhood where I found Disco in a barking match with a large dog (it was a snickerpoo or a cockerpoo or something like that - some dog breed names are silly).

I walked my dog back home and decided that tomorrow must go smoother.

Here are the pictures:
Clayton's school this year requires uniforms. While I hate the thought of uniforms (especially since I bought his kindergarten clothes with the intention of him using them for two years) he loves it. Plus, it does take the guesswork out of what to wear each day!
I think he looks very handsome, and VERY grown up!
At the bus stop. Waiting...and waiting...and waiting.
Noah starts preschool in two weeks! He can't wait for his turn. (He had an allergic reaction to a bug bite. That explains the eye.)
I don't know what me and little miss girl are going to do when all of our boys are gone! She's going to miss them for sure!
Whew, FINALLY on the bus! He's so excited to start school again. It's been all he's been able to talk about for about a week now. The school he's going to this year is a magnet school that focuses on science and technology. Can anyone say, 'taylor made for Clayton'!?! I think he's going to love it!
I think he's going to have a great year and I love how excited he is to go to school. I hope he never looses that excitement over school and learning. While I wasn't as emotional today as I was this time last year, I'm going to miss having him around during the day. He's my buddy and such a good helper now that I feel like I'm loosing an extra pair of hands. It was a hectic morning, but I think it was the perfect way to kick off a new school year! We're going to continue our tradition of homemade cookies and milk when Clayton gets home today. I can't wait to hear all about his day!