J has been ready for months to attend school as a genuine student. (He frequented Steele Elementary as a 'volunteer.') He has been counting down the days until Kindergarten.
I, however, am not ready for Kindergarten. While I enjoy the routine that going to school offers, I miss being able to do all the fun things with my kids when they are home. I love when the kids are home. I love laughing with them. I love playing board games with them. I love hanging out in the backyard. I love cooking with them. But most of all, I love being with them. For me, it's a sad day when I have to send them off to school.
I always cry on the first day of school and this year was no exception. This year ALL of my children would be in school. My thoughtful husband accompanied J and I on his first day more to lend me some moral support. I lingered towards the back of the line as the students lined up, trying to postpone the inevitable.
Eventually, I had to let go.
Leaving the school while sobbing in my husbands arms was hard. I busied myself at home with some vigorous cleaning all while checking the clock every 15 minutes to see if it was time to pick up the kids. Thankfully, afternoon kindergarten is only 2.5 hours so my anxiety didn't last too long. The smile on J's face and excited chatter about his fun day put my mind at ease. Only 179 more days to go until I get all my children back at home again for the summer. I'm counting down.