And We're Off!

BEFORE:  Come on, Mom! Hurry up and take the picture.

AFTER: An exhausted, but happy kiddo!

BEFORE THE BUS

No. Stop. Wait.  I Don't Wanna Go!

Change is destabilizing.  It takes courage to explore something new.  Letting go of old things and accepting new things feels a little uneasy and I'm really proud of my boys.  Summer is officially over. All of us moved a few steps forward leaving behind our ball of nerves. Nate questioned whether I could "tell school I need 600 more weeks of home?"  In that same breath he told me he never had rest time at camp so why on Earth does he have to rest at school!  I knew it would be wonderful but I still can't quiet my mind.  Will my boys be safe? Will they be happy?  Will they make friends? Will they be well-nourished? I don't think many parents every really let go of these questions do they?

And on that note, Nate went to his first day of Kindergarten, Lewis went to his new preschool & Josh and I go of some of our fears and worries. We had to let go of Nate and LJ's hands today and let them learn from their personal experiences and figure out how to relate to them on their own.  We had to convince them that we were still right there for them, even if we couldn't hold their hand in the moment we were their number one cheerleader.

They both got to do some back-to-school shopping, got new backpacks and today they both got to ride the bus!  Nate has always wanted to ride the bus ever since we moved into our current house and took our first neighborhood walk together. He wondered aloud why he couldn't ride that bus and I assured him, one day...when he was old enough he would finally be able to ride the bus.  That day finally arrived and he was not disappointed. Didi & Bop greeted him at the bus stop yesterday after school, and then we had an impromptu ice cream party at Baskin Robbins.  Vanilla ice cream with gummy bears makes everyone feel special.

Despite LJ's screaming, crying, bucking fit on the bus as it took off down our road this morning, we are okay. I cried, he cried (though I put on a brave face for the kids) and Nate wanted to find a patrol guard to be LJ's buddy so he wouldn't be upset.  For the record there is another adult on the bus assisting the kids as the driver goes about their route. The new wheelchair didn't arrive in time, so Lewis rode on the bus in his old one.  Luckily, I had taken it apart and deep cleaned it this weekend!  Despite a chaotic, early morning of time constraints and tired, uncooperative boys, we are okay. We got through it and tomorrow will be a little easier for us all because of it. If not? We can always change the plan.

I am filled with wonder as we embark on a new school year. I believe in positive change. We are growing in mind, body and spirit and that means progress.  We have the strength to learn and teach ourselves. We trust in change (I just worry a lot).

See me smiling; see me celebrating. I'm excited about the Fall!