We did it! We made it through a week of kindergarten (and by “we” I mean mostly me!)
After seeing his classroom, meeting his teacher, and getting pictures taken on Monday afternoon, we tried to get our boy in bed early, so he’s be well rested for his big first day.
He was way too excited.
He finally fell asleep, but was up super early. And by super early, I mean 5 am. My husband, coincidentally, also fell asleep early, so was up around the same time. Lucky me that didn’t have to get up!
I had gotten his clothes ready, backpack and lunch packed, so we were good to go in the morning. My mom came over for the big send off too.
We actually were ready about 20 minutes before the bus even came, so we headed outside to wait…and of course, take a few pictures.
Yes, these are the best ones I could get even with my Mom and husband yelling their names over my shoulder to look and smile. Yes, the twins are in their pajamas. At least they have shoes on!
Overall, my baby seemed pretty excited, and as soon as the bus came, he grabbed his backpack, let me take one last picture and got on.
This is what happened next.
Awe. They are sad because big brother is leaving for school. So sweet.
NO!
My Mom thought they were crying because they thought I was getting on the bus.
Wrong again.
They wanted to get on the bus. It could have been going anywhere. They just wanted to ride the big yellow bus. Poor guys. They still have 2 more years to go.
So, in order to stop the crying (and so I didn’t start crying,) we all piled in the car (except for my husband who went to work, and didn’t know we were going to do this,) and went to my son’s school. The twins were excited to see more buses, and I got to make sure my baby arrived safely without him knowing it. Don’t worry. We just parked in the lot a safe distance away, and watch for his bus. We didn’t get out or anything.
As you know from my other post, I took the twins and joined a gym, so that occupied much of the rest of the day until nap time…which of course, they didn’t want anything to do with after having so much fun at the gym child care.
Then it was time to go outside and wait for big brother to get home and tell us about his first day.
And wait….
And wait…
Then, my parent’s called to see if he was home yet..NO!..so they came over to wait too. I was just starting to get worried, when he arrived! I was so excited to see him, and from his big smile he was excited to see all us waiting too.
Turns out, the buses all left the school late because they were making sure everyone was on the right bus. At least I got a phone call. Although, it was after he was home.
So after tons of hugs and kisses, I tried to get the scoop on the first day. I knew it would be hard, as it was like pulling teeth to get him to tell me about what he did in preschool. What I did learn:
- He sat on the bus alone because our neighbor behind us got dropped off the first day. Plus, his cousins, who live in our neighborhood, are on a different bus!
- He ate a little of his snack, and his sandwich, but hardly drank anything…as I found out from going through his lunch bag.
- He also didn’t go to the bathroom the whole day!
- He got to go to the library and pick out a book.
He said he had fun, but I could tell he was overwhelmed and really tired. He wanted to watch one of his favorite shows, and gulped down the rest of his water bottle, two glasses of milk, and finally used the bathroom.
It was no trouble getting him to sleep early.
Day 2, I made sure to remind him to go to the bathroom at least once during the day, to have the teacher help him buy milk at lunch, and to at least drink his water throughout the day. He wasn’t quite as excited and seemed a little teary. He kept saying he was going to miss me. It made my heart hurt, but I just kept smiling telling him how much fun he would have. Luckily, our neighbor was on the bus, so at least he had a friend to sit with.
Again, he came home and was tired. He just kept saying that he missed me, and that he loved me. I snuggled him for a long time, and tried to pry more information out of him, but got nothing. Except, he did go to the bathroom and get milk for lunch! Hooray!
Day 3 was pretty much the same. I waved to him as he was riding off in the bus, and I noticed he had to turn away. I think he was trying to stop himself from crying. Ugh. They do get out early on Thursdays, and I could tell he was having fun as he got off the bus cause he was laughing and waved to some kids.
I know it will keep getting easier for both of us. It’s just going to take some time to get used to the schedule because it’s just such a long day. He was only in preschool for about 3 hours, 3 days a week. Now, he leaves at 8:15 and doesn’t get home until 4 pm.
While, it’s nice that I can now go to the gym with the twins, and not worry about occupying my oldest while the twins nap, I really miss him so much. I think it will be easier for me when I can see that he’s making new friends and really having fun.
It’s all just an adjustment, and we’ll get the hang of it soon. I’m looking forward to the long weekend with my baby (and celebrating my birthday!)
How have your little ones been doing with going back to school? Are they having fun? Are they missing home too?
The buses are always late the first few days 🙂 Glad he had a great first day!
Thank you! 🙂
My son starts Thursday and I am sooo nervous! He told me he is “a little scared” to go to kindergarten. 🙁 I never even thought about making a secret drive to the school to make sure he got off the bus OK…brilliant idea!
And that is too funny about the twins! When I saw the pic I totally thought they were crying because they missed their brother!
Oh no….just wanted to get on the bus 😉 The secret drive was totally worth it 🙂
How sweet is this?! Great job mama! Such a memorable milestone, and you’ve done an amazing job capturing it. My oldest is 3 years old, and I suspect I’ll be doing the same thing when she starts school. Great post!
Thank you 🙂
My son starts preschool on the 8th. I can so see my daughter crying if her brother left on a bus without her too! LOL! That’s priceless, I hope his school year is great!
Thank you!
Congrats on a successful week! I love the first day of school photos of your sweet boys 🙂
Thank you!
I remember when Olivia started school Jackson was SO bummed. He was all alone. So every morning he’d hug her in her classroom and after school run to her as if he hadn’t seen her in days. It was kind of adorable!!
Awe. That is pretty cute.
Sounds like a great start to the school year! And for what it’s worth, next year it will be so much easier (I have a 1st grader this year and it certainly was for me! lol!)
Good to hear that! Thank you.
Awww!!! That’s so cute they were sad about big brother!!!!! Love the pics! Def something to treasure when they get older 🙂
It looks like he’s going to have a great year! Thanks so much for sharing 🙂
Thanks for reading 🙂
You went to school on the first day to make sure he made it safely? I think that is so cool. I would have done the same thing, and I would have been crying all week too.
Your son looks so happy! And you are definitely right, all of these new routines will soon be much easier.
Have a wonderful Birthday!
Thank you so much! 🙂
Oh! Your kids are so sweet! My 5 year old did something similar to my 10 year old a couple years ago. He was so upset because he couldn’t get on the big yellow truck (he called the bus a truck).
Kids are so funny.
Aw how cute! I am glad he had a great first day. That was sweet of you guys to take the twins and go and see that the big brother made it safe 🙂
Thank you! I’m glad no one thinks it was too much. 🙂
He made it! All he needs is a little time to get used to everything, like you said. He’ll be just fine, and soon he’ll have a bunch of friends. You’re doing an awesome job navigating having a kindergartener! Oh and high five to having the twins in their PJ’s lol. That would have so been me!
Yes, we’re at the wanting to be in PJs all the time stage. Thank you so much for reading and your comments!
Oh my gosh, Shann. Your boys are simply adorable! In the first-day group pic, your littlest one looks half asleep. Gosh mom, did you wake them up? haha Yes, it will get easier for you, the twins, and your oldest. I look forward to reading more about the kindergarten adventures! Have a great Labor Day weekend!
Ha! Did I wake them up?! No way! They are up by 6 am every morning like clock work. I think he was looking down in that picture, but it does look like he’s sleeping 🙂 Hee hee. Thank you so much for your comments Brenda. You have a great Labor Day weekend too! 🙂
What a great week. I hope his excitement continues through the school year!
Thank you!
Aw, so cute! I love that the twins wanted to ride the bus. Glad you made it through the first week and I know it will get easier!
Thank you!
Looks like he was super excited to start school. It’s great that the neighbor is on the same bus and goes to the same school, it’s always easier to know someone on your first day.
Yes, I agree. Thanks!
Sounds like you had a busy week. You boys are so cute, Shann! I think it’s so sweet they missed their big brother.
My daughter hasn’t gotten totally home sick but she does miss my grandsons and our dogs. We talk on the phone every day so she doesn’t miss me that much :).
She’s home this weekend, which is a surprise so now I’ll have a happy happy birthday. 🙂
Thanks for sharing your week with us Shann. I remember my kids first day at kindergarten…great memories.
Have a great weekend!
Cori
Thank you so much Cori! Have a wonderful weekend and a Happy Birthday!
Looks like it was great. Hard sometimes with other little ones that want to be like big brother.
Yes!
Congratulations on the first week! You have some cute young men there!
Thank you!
So cute that they all wanted to get on the big yellow bus! Hopefully it will be much easier when their time comes.
Yes, I hope so too 🙂
Awww! What a great first day of school! Nothing but A’s!!!
Thank you!
My son starts kindergarten on Thursday and I’m not sure who is more nervous! What a genius idea to drive to the school! I may have to do that!
Yes, it made me feel better. I knew he got there safely. Otherwise, I probably would have worried all day.
YAY for a great week! My oldest heads off to Kindergarten next year and I am NOT ready! I’m nervous about the whole bus thing too so you can start coaching me on that and telling me it will all be okay!! 😉
Let me get a couple more weeks under my belt, then I will coach you 😉
The first day was tough with kindergarten last year but this year was easy
Good to hear! 🙂
It’s ok Mom! All will be well. My daughter is in 7th grade now but I remember Kindergarten well. She made many friends and adjusted quickly. Great mom you are!
Thank you!
You’re kids a re too sweet, Congrats to your successful weeks! my son would be schooling next year and i think he will be the same to your kids.
Thank you!
Aww. Sending them off to school is difficult for the first couple of months, sometimes even a year. But once they get the hang of it, it will be us missing them dearly.
Yes, I totally agree.
Oh my gosh! How cute and funny is that picture of his brothers! I love that they love their big brother so much (or they’re just jealous). I have friends that teach elementary and I’m jealous of all the cute snuggles and sweet comments they get from little ones like yours. I hope he gets lots of rest this weekend and shares more about all the fun stuff he learned and did this week! Congrats on making it through the first week, mama! 🙂
Thank you so much. It’s more of an adjustment than I thought, but I’m hoping for a good week coming up. 🙂
Aw your kiddos are so precious. I have 5 heading off this Tuesday. I can’t believe it. My youngest will probably be like yours, and full of tears. So sweet.
Wow, 5 in school. You’re house will be pretty quiet. I’m sure in some ways it will be nice, but I’m sure you’ll miss them too. Thanks for reading 🙂
Glad to know that the first day went on smoothly. The twins are so sweet!
Thank you!
What adorable boys! It looks like you all had an awesome week, great job!
Thank you!
Awww! So sad that they wanted to get on the bus! They’re all so sweet, and yes, it will get much easier. Mine don’t go back until tomorrow, but they’re 10, 14, and 16 so one is super excited and the other two are just ‘Meh’ and doesn’t care either way.
Those photos are SO precious. I love the matching pajamas. Hopefully he’s gotten more comfortable going to school without you!
xo, Caitlin
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