School Starts; It's a New Season

Note: this was written 8/16

I interrupt my not-so-current posts because I want to keep this post current. Otherwise it would be another three weeks until I got to it.

School begins today, ready or not. And some moments I am ready; other moments I am not. I have loved summer with the girls. Sure, we have had our share of whining and not getting along. But more than that, we had moments of sheer fun and togetherness. So I will miss that. However, this last week has reminded me that it's time. The girls need a new schedule, to be away from each other for a few hours. I need a break from the whining. But even then my heart is having a hard time letting go today.

I am sending Analise off to 3rd grade. This should be old hat, right? Not when I am sending her off to a new school. She knew three other girls (from church/school) that were going to be in her grade. All three ended up with the other teacher. She's struggled but handled that well. There are 16 boys in her class and eight girls. I hope and pray those girls reach out to  her today and that Analise feels accepted. I know she will be fine at recess when she meets up with her friends, and I am thankful for that. I don't think 3:10 can come any too quickly today so I can hear how God went before her.

And now to Maisie. My middle child going off to Kdg. Not sure I am ready for this. I am again SO glad I waited another year to send her, and that she is almost six. She is excited and doesn't seem too nervous. Though last night at her school open house, she had a glazed look on her face when she walked through  her classroom. Sending her off is a little harder on me than  it was to send off Analise. Analise was just so ready. Maisie is just so Maisie. My head knows she will be fine; my heart worries. I told Brandon I wanted to write up this paper to the teacher explaining who Maisie is. She's smart, she memorizes quickly (don't play Memory with her unless you want to lose), I think she will be really good in math. But she struggles phonetically sounding out words (she just memorizes), her speech is behind, she gets frustrated so easily, she's been hitting/pushing Sadie around (and dear Lord I beg you that Maisie doesn't hit someone at school!), and yet she can be the sweetest most delightful little girl! I like to think she is sweet with a little spice. 11:40 can't come soon enough today so I can hug my kindergartner again and know she survived day one and had lots of fun.

I want to make this our school verse for the year, just as much for me as for the girls.
Joshua 1:9
Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified, do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.

I know God brought these girls to this new school for a reason, and I have to trust in that. Give me a week, and I, too, will be adjusted to this new season of life. Until then, I hold fast to God's promise from Joshua.

I did well walking Maisie to her classroom and not breaking down in tears. I did get teary eyed when walking to the car, but I kept it together. My SIL texted me to see how I was doing, and even in texting back I did fine. And then a bit later, my friend, L, called me to see how I was doing (since Brandon was out of town all week) and I lost it on the phone. I could hardly pull myself together. I guess that's a sign of a good friend; I know I can cry and be real.

Th girls have now been in school for over a week. Maisie had half days for the first two days, and then last week was all day. Most days she is excited to go. Last Thursday morning she was in tears; she didn't want to go. I think there were two reasons why. 1. She'd sat between boys at lunch and didn't have a good experience. Nothing against boys; I just think these two bothered her some how. 2. She was just plain tired...and post birthday. Thankfully she has a good church friend in her class, so they buddied up, and Maisie had a good day. She is always happy about her day when I pick her up. And she must be hungry because in the five minutes we have waiting for Analise to come out, Maisie always opens her lunch bag to finish her lunch.
Analise has done well with the transition. There was only one time she asked me to go back to her old school. Since then I hear about new friends, and she too plays with a church friend at recess. She loves her teacher, and I knew she would. Everyone does. Analise is now taking AR tests for books she reads, and she thrives with this. Her teacher didn't want to overwhelm Analise or discourage her so she gave her an obtainable goal for the quarter. After the first week, Analise is 33% done! :)
Analise is doing a nice job of walking Maisie in each morning and making sure she gets to the right spot. It helps this mama's  heart. And both girls are always thrilled when they see a cousin throughout the day!
And not to forget Sadie...she doesn't seem to miss her sisters at all. She is such a mommy's girl, so I think she likes having me to herself. And I like it, too. The last time I was 1 on 1 with a daughter, Analise was 2. It's fun going places with her, and she helps me around the house. We have one more week before preschool starts, and that will be good for her.
A week into this new season, and I think we are off to a pretty good start!