Monday, August 15th 2011, was Carters first day of public school. I homeschooled him last year because kindergarten was all day here and neither one of us was ready for that :). You see, we all kind of like each other and I really enjoyed being Carters teacher. Teaching him to read was very validating and I am so grateful that we will always have that accomplishment together. Of course, he is a really easy kid to teach because he likes to learn and picks things up quickly so it made my job easy.
Anyway, back to the first day of 1st grade. I dropped Carter off at school so that he could sleep in an extra half hour, and when my little man got out of the car and walked into the elementary school many tears were shed, all by me. Here comes the corny stuff. Have you ever heard the quote about how when you have children you have your heart walking around outside your chest? Well, it seriously felt like my heart was walking into that school in the form of Carter. Ellie and I tried to keep our day busy so we would not be too sad, not sure how successful that was. Cried at my OBGYN appointment, cried 3 times at Costco (too many people I know where there :), cried a few times on the phone and for no apparent reason at home. Remember I'm pregnant. And not sleeping. As soon as 2:50 rolled around Ellie and I were rushing to the school bus, where I cried when I saw Carter get off the bus. He had such a good day! And I was so grateful that he wanted to talk all about it, that is just what this mom needed! His favorite parts were buying lunch (with his own special debit card), riding the bus and playing with the one person he knows at recess. He loves his teacher and had nothing bad to say about the whole day. Which is just what every mother wants to hear.
Tuesday he took the bus to, as well as home from, school. That was really hard for me, I missed our extra half hour together. Joe took him down to the bus stop and I watched and cried from a distance. I did much better yesterday though, limiting tears to only 4 times. And when he came home he talked my ear off again :). Thank you Carter. He left this morning so excited and with some sweet goals (to play ball with the kids at the bus stop). Joe said he did it! So glad they let him play and that he was brave enough to ask. I have goals too, aside from writing this blog I am not allowed to cry today. Wish me luck.
