August 14, 2007
the last day of summer
School starts tomorrow. I am still short two pink pearl erasers (who knew that they would be SO DAMN HARD to find?) and I’m still not sure how I’m going to get Henry to put a belt on and Charlie has a head cold which will MOST CERTAINLY turn into an ear infection at three am.
But all of that notwithstanding, today is the last day of summer.
Last week, I was feeling a little guilty because we didn’t really DO anything this summer, other than lounge in our jammies and read Nancy Drew and go to the pool. This week, I’m over that, mostly because I’m so worried about how everyone will do at school that I don’t have time to feel guilty.
Which is good. I think.
Over the weekend, I woke up one night thinking about Henry and about how different this year will be for him. He’s never worn a uniform before, or gone to Mass, or had to sit at a desk during the day. He’s in a class where they are expected to raise their hands and wait to be called on and line up in the same order every time they leave the room. I know that all of this will be good for him–he’s a child who thrives on direction and structure–but I still worry that it will be overwhelming.
Recently I have started to see Henry more and more as a separate person, not just as my child. He’s so tall and grown up these days, with his own opinions and ideas. He knows all sorts of things that I do not, like the names of all the Bionicle characters and how to put them together. Over the weekend, he and Charlie each got a new Bionicle; my dad spent thirty five minutes trying to help Charlie assemble his, without any luck. Henry came in and five minutes later had the whole thing together.
Yesterday, I was flipping through the folder of information his teacher sent home with us. Henry picked up the Classroom Rules and read them all, without stumbling once. I hope they are as easy to follow as they were to read.
This is the first time Henry and Charlie will be in school together. Charlie is so excited he can hardly stand himself. I’m hoping that tomorrow morning, when I have to leave Henry in the gym with a whole group of first graders he’s never seen before, it will help to walk in with Charlie, who did this all last year and is ready to start again.
I like the idea of sending them off tomorrow morning together, even though Charlie will be with the Pre-K kids and Henry with the first graders. I like that they will always know that the other one is there, somewhere. Because I want them to remember that they always have each other.
Summer is over after today, and so, it seems, is some significant part of Henry’s childhood. But I think we’re ready for the fall.
Posted by Susan @ 1:14 pm • fretful and worrisome, those damn kids
RSS feed for comments on this post.
TrackBack URI
August 14th, 2007 at 1:32 pm, Brooke Says:
I am ready for the day when I send my Oliver and Charley to school together. I am sending Oliver to kindie tomorrow and I am FREAKING out about it!
August 14th, 2007 at 2:47 pm, OMSH Says:
So much of this could have been written by me. Kenny starts Pre-K this year, and although I’m excited what it means on one hand, I’m nervous for him on the other hand.
I do draw a bit of calm knowing his sister is in the same school with him for the next 3 years.
I AM looking forward to quite hours of productivity though. Weeeeeee!!!
August 14th, 2007 at 4:08 pm, Shash Says:
I loved that Spiff and Scamp were at the same school for Scamp’s first year of Pre-K. It made it that much nicer for Scamp, especially when he caught a glimpse of Spiff in the hallway going somewhere. Now they go to different schools, but whenever we go back (I work at Scamp’s school) Scamp is the first to remind Spiff that it was HIS school too. Warms my heart.
Shash
August 14th, 2007 at 4:11 pm, gorillabuns Says:
for some reason this made me cry.
maybe, it’s because celia starts pre-k tomorrow as well, and i’m having problems dealing with the fact she’s not a baby anymore.
August 14th, 2007 at 5:01 pm, Susan Says:
Shana, we can deal with that. I have wine. And a playroom. For Moira, although you’re also welcome to play with the Legos, if it makes you feel better.
August 14th, 2007 at 7:24 pm, Jordan Says:
This is so sweet. I was just talking to my boys today about how someday they’ll get to go to school together. They were so happy and it made me so teary; I can only imagine the night before they really do walk into school together, a 4th grader and a kindergartner. I wish your boys a great first day of school tomorrow!
August 14th, 2007 at 8:04 pm, Annie Says:
So sweet. I hope tomorrow is wonderful for all of you.
August 14th, 2007 at 8:22 pm, Crisanne Says:
I will keep you in my thoughts tomorrow.
August 14th, 2007 at 8:31 pm, Susan Says:
Thanks, you all. I’ve just realized that I don’t know where Henry’s backpack is and I never pulled together any extra backup clothes for Charlie. Who also needs a beach towel, now that I think about it.
Dammit. How is it possible to be so disorganized?
Pictures coming, because kids are never cuter than on the first day of school.
August 14th, 2007 at 10:06 pm, Heather B. Says:
That’s so unfair that you and Shana Banana are planning a little wine time tomorrow afternoon. Not nice at all.
But most importantly, what size shirt does Henry wear? And aren’t you glad I totally scoped out the clip on ties?
I wish I had gotten to spend more time with your boys but from the time that I did have with them, they are superb and everything will be just fine.
August 15th, 2007 at 8:33 pm, gorillabuns Says:
damn!!! i missed the wine!?!??!?! well, we have at least a few more bajillion days to drink wine and play with legos.
moira can sit and watch.
August 15th, 2007 at 11:23 pm, Jen Says:
Okay, are you trying to make me cry?
I am so happy about the Bionicles. That was my Sam. He still builds them and plays with them. I hope this is just the beginning for Henry.
And when Charlie can’t get his put together, Henry will be there to help him.