The first week of Kindergarten

Well, we have officially made it through the first four days of school.  It was an interesting process.  I feel like we're all actually adjusting quite well considering our whole way of life has changed as we know it.  For anyone who knows us well, it's difficult to make it anywhere on time these days.  Trying to get myself and four kids ready to get out the door is not the most desirable of processes.  Luckily, we're still having nice weather, so it's not like I have to get everyone all dressed up in their snow gear.....yet.  Ryan leaves for work before 6:30 in the morning so that leaves getting the kids ready all up to me.  Knock on wood though, we haven't been late yet!

I made Ryan work from home for their first day so he could be there to experience the first day with us.  We all woke up on time and I was even able to make the lunches, do the boys' hair (Jake wanted spikes, Matt wanted his combed down) AND we got pictures :).  PLUS, we made it to school on time before the bell rang and got to see all the kids line up.  I gave them both SUPER BIG hugs and watched as they walked off into this new, big world.  I have to admit, I got choked up.  Being a SAHM, I've always been there for them.  There aren't too many moments that I miss out on.  And now, we jump into full days of school, 5 days a week.  Where someone else will be caring for my child and helping them if they fall and scrape their knee, and answer all their crazy questions about all the random things in the world around us and watch as they eat their lunch.  I can't believe I made it through the day without crying!  I always thought that it was crazy that parents actually cry when sending their kids to school for the first day.  I mean, we've all gone to school so we know that it's a fun, exciting time.  So I just thought it was kind of crazy.  Until I had to send my oldest kids.  Now, I get it.  I think the only reason I didn't cry is because I know that they have each other.  I had specifically requested that the boys remain in the same class.  I know many people feel strongly one way or another about keeping twins together or splitting them up but honestly, they are best friends.....beyond best friends.  They have a bond that I will never be able to understand or experience myself.  How could I send them off into this great big new world and tear them apart from each other at the same time?  It just seemed cruel.  God has blessed them with this great gift and I just couldn't see separating them.  At least not yet.  If we make it through a few years and them being in the same class appears to be problematic....THEN we'll reevaluate.  Again, I just thought it was too many changes to make during their first year.  I think what made me feel especially strong about this issue is when Matt was in the hospital for Lyme Disease.  Separating them for that week broke my heart.  Thank God for technology though!  Having them be able to video chat with each other made the whole process almost bearable. 

As the day progressed, I found myself lost in thought.  "Are they OK?  Do they miss me?  I wonder what they're working on right now.  I hope they have enough time to finish all their lunch.  Did I pack enough for them to eat?  Are they behaving?  Are they making friends?".....and so many other things ran through my head.  Finally, time for pickup had arrived.  It was such a beautiful day that I decided to take the stroller and walk down with Charlie & Kay to pick up the boys.  Kay was excited to get the boys back.  All morning she kept saying "I miss my boys".  We did have some fun of course and she got much more one-on-one attention from me, which was great.  But it's still a big change for everyone.  The biggest shocker for me is how quiet it was.  I know, I know....I went from having 4 kids to only having 2 during the day.  I knew it would be different, I guess I just didn't realize how many sound effects the boys make throughout the day.  They're always pretending something is flying or shooting or crashing or driving.  I just always assumed Charlie and Kay made just as much noise with all his screaming (whenever you tell him "no") and Kayla's little songs or stories that she tells.  But it was SO different.  When we finally walked down to pick them up they were CRAZY when they got out of school.  We've heard from several people in the past that when their kids were done with school, they came home EXHAUSTED and could barely make it til bedtime at 7:00.....then out come my kids.  Hyper as can be.  I've never seen them so animated!  They wanted to run, they wanted to shove each other, they wanted to chase each other....they were insane.  The whole walk home we had to tell them to slow down or not to shove.  Boys. Need. Movement. 

Trying to ask them how their day went was interesting.  They would answer bits and pieces here and there.  It's funny trying to ask them if they made any new friends.  They always say yes and get very excited....until I ask them what the other child's name is.  Then I just get blank stares.  I know it will all come with time.  Until then, I just have to figure out the right questions to ask.  For now, they LOVE their teacher and they come home happy.  That makes me happy.  The few times I've spoken with their teacher she's been absolutely wonderful and I haven't heard a single negative thing about her from people who've had her in the past.  This comforts me.  And she's a Packer fan, so you know she's awesome ;).  I'm just trying to enjoy this time with Kayla and Charlie and know that the twins are in good hands.  We've continued to say many prayers over the teachers and school as well as the other children.  I just can't wait until the boys are paying a little more attention to all the little details and they're able to relay them to me.

One final note because I think this was just adorable.....the night before school we did a little profile of the boys (how old they are, their favorite things, all about their friends) and I LOVED their answers to the question "When I grow up I want to be:"....Matt went first.  I realized that I will need to separate them for this process next year because Jake spoke up and said to Matt "an astronaut or a hunter?"  So that's what Matt ended up saying.  When it was Jake's turn to answer, he said a kayaker, a bear hunter (he had to one-up Matt and get even more specific with it) and an astronaut.


I love my crazy kids and look forward to seeing all that this year has to offer.  I know many changes will take place but I also know God is watching out for us and we will survive :).  Next up we'll have our first day of soccer practice tomorrow and the first game on Wednesday.....it should be interesting....