Okay, so yesterday was Spencer’s first day of school (3yr old kindergarten). In a nutshell… he loved it, Mom was unfazed, and Dad was a complete basket case. I can’t quite explain what got into me yesterday. The whole thing for me started the night before when I went to the refrigerator to get a snack and noticed his little “paw patrol” lunch box packed and ready to go. The reality that my little baby boy was fixing to make his first steps to venture outside the nest and I guess I just wasn’t ready for that.
The past week we’ve been helping get his cousins, Kavanaugh & Jachin, ready to start back to school and I guess I didn’t give it a lot of thought that Spencer was going to be going too. The lunch box kind of drew it all in though. In the early hours before school I went in and got him out of his bed and put him in bed w/ Donna and I (something I enjoy), it’s the only time he’s ever still enough to really communicate with or snuggle. I was quietly talking w/ him about school and praying over him as he was just laying there w/ his eyes open between Donna and I –then all of a sudden he reached over and pinched me right on my nipple and laughed. Yep, he’s a character, and those teachers have their hands full. I have no doubt they are up for the challenge though, they love him dearly and have already started giving him some special attention to help him adjust to the routine (several of the kids in his class have already been in little life before).
As we got him ready for school he was pretty wound up (just like every other morning) and when we jumped in the truck to head to the school he was grinning from ear to ear –no idea where he was going, haha. When we got to the school we both walked him in and he immediately broke away from us and went to work making friends and chasing everyone with a plastic alligator. We watched for a few minutes and then gradually worked our way out of the room and into the hallway to watch from a distance, he was having a ball and never even looked for us… that kinda hurt. 🙂
My original plan was to wait in the parking lot until 12:15 (just 4hrs) but Donna balked on that idea and we went and grabbed some breakfast. I had her back up to the school though at 12 sharp to pick him up. I think we were the first ones to pick up their kiddo. Donna made it a point to let everyone know that I was having issues and had “allergies” after we had dropped him off that morning. I guess it is kinda funny now that I think about it, but it’s tough letting go… even if it is 3yr old kindergarten.
Fortunately it’s going to give him a chance to play with other kids his age and learn a few things that will help him get adjusted in school later on. I’m totally on board with the idea, but again –it’s tough.
The other day this old song by Rod Stewart came on the radio and I almost lost it. I’ve heard the song a thousand times but it takes on new meaning as a parent I think… or at least it did for me. Take a listen to the lyrics (see below)
May the good Lord be with you
Down every road you roam
And may sunshine and happiness
surround you when you’re far from home
And may you grow to be proud
Dignified and true
And do unto others
As you’d have done to you
Be courageous and be brave
And in my heart you’ll always stay
Forever Young, Forever Young
Forever Young, Forever YoungMay good fortune be with you
May your guiding light be strong
Build a stairway to heaven
with a prince or a vagabondAnd may you never love in vain
and in my heart you will remain
Forever Young, Forever Young
Forever Young, Forever Young
Forever Young
Forever YoungAnd when you finally fly away
I’ll be hoping that I served you well
For all the wisdom of a lifetime
No one can ever tellBut whatever road you choose
I’m right behind you, win or lose
Forever Young, Forever Young
Forever Young ,Forever Young
Forever Young, Forever Young
For, Forever Young, Forever Young
I’ve created a photo gallery of the first days of school w/ Spencer, Kavenaugh, and Jachin:
