It's been a bucket of transitions in my household over the past week. Y'all know how much I like change, so I have been PERFECTLY DELIGHTFUL. So, really, if I have had any contact with you in the real world over the past week, I am so, so, sorry. I'm not really that much of a jerk! J started at a new school, much to the chagrin of his mama- CK is an amazing school, with such loving teachers, and provided an amazing education to my nuggets. However, it's completely out of my way in the morning- and for me, needing to be at work by 7:15, that means a lot. So he started at a new center about a mile from our house. His transition has been going well, and his mama LOVES that they provide hot, scratch made breakfasts and lunches! WAHOOO! One less lunchbox to pack!
Our beloved nanny, Miss Catherine, went back to school, and all of a sudden tubs are totally on mama- this doesn't mean much to most parents, but my kids HATE THE TUB. It's a screaming trip on the misery train, complete with breakdowns, tears, and sometimes some unkind words (on the mama end)! Aside from the logistics, we miss her desperately, and our days feel kind of weird.
And then there's Mr. M. He's almost 6. He missed the cutoff. Which of course means kindergarten is calling his name. GULP. My nugget CAN'T be that old! He has been excited but I have been a mess- I am a teacher, and my reporting time is WAY earlier than his get on the bus time. BAH! How will this WORK? Nevermind the days that I work and he has no school! Enough to make a mama blanche. Thank goodness for Miss Allison- she's putting M on the bus every day, and is pretty much serving as my "oh sh&t" go to! I think he likes her almost as much as his mama, and I'm REALLY thankful for that! It doesn't hurt that I worked with her mama over ten years ago, and they're just good people- the real deal. So a big exhale.
Mr. M's school had a lot of events in the spring (most of which Miss Catherine took him to), and we were lucky enough to have his class assignment in May. All summer, he's been thinking about Mrs. Rubin. Would she like waffles? Does she sing funny songs? Will she play games? Has she ever been to the beach? Since I knew nothing, I just played the "I don't know card". Well, today was the "you're a kindergartner for one hour" orientation, and I have to say, I may love her as much as Mr. M! She's peppy, and fun, and seems to be a perfect fit for my guy. I was a bit teary (read: about to bawl like a baby, but the fabulous nurse gave me a big hug and reassured me. I LOVE HER). The kiddos got to ride the bus with the principal, and meet their new friends (be assured, M had his listening ears on- I checked!) Parents got to sit in a rather stuffy room (it was humid as heck today- not the fault of anyone) and pretend to not be nervous. I got to meet some awesome parents, and get all crazy over creating a contact list- right up my alley. We also met the PTO coordinators, and got some Zeh school swag- T-shirts, stickers, and a really cool book called "Hello, Stripes!" which is about a day at Zeh where Stripes, the zebra mascot, got to join in the fun.
Let me tell you, when it's bedtime the night before day one, that book was a lifesaver. Miles loved the story of Stripes' day at Zeh, and as his mama, I loved the messages that were infused. It appears that it was written by the Zeh PTO, and illustrated by Brad Vinson and Danny Moore. Not trying to plagiarize, but excited to share some of their words.
A zebra without stripes
Looks something like a horse.
Zebras really need their stripes,
To set them on their course.
The stripes are not a label,
Just a piece of who we are
The stripes we earn in life
Will help us to get far.
To get these special stripes,
We have to do our best.
And when it comes to learning,
We should put ourselves to the test.
We have to use our talents,
And improve those that aren't so good
But when it comes to getting stripes,
We have to think we could.
Our stripes could be a work of art,
Or helping hands we earn
So let's all get together
At Zeh we will learn!
WOW. Nothing about winning, or common core, or standardized testing. Doing our best, using our talents, having helping hand. YES, please. THESE MATTER! This was so reassuring in and of itself. Then a few pages in, this winner "Each child is as unique as the stripes on a zebra."
HECK YES. I am so thrilled that Mr. M will be a Zebra, and his brother can follow. Proud of my nugget, and even MORE proud to be in a school system that just gets kids!
Icing on the cake? M and I have reviewed the lunch menu, and HE WILL EAT IT ALL. Goodbye packing lunch stress! You got that right, this MAMA HAS BEEN SET FREE!!!!!
On a serious note, to all of those kiddos and mamas taking a new step- enjoy every moment, and relish in the excitement! And cry when you need to...
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