Back to School

Just got home from taking the boys to the first day of school and getting some groceries. Adventures never cease and this morning was going so smoothly until…

Aron and I had a little difference of opinion that tempted and compelled him to disobey which resulted in his walking around the grocery store in wet pants. Cold. I was so sorry for him, but it allowed him to see, oh so clearly, that mommy has reasons for her instructions and rules. Thankfully, we are home now and all dried up.

I am excited to see how the boys do this year. They both have sweet teachers and I know that they are going to enjoy their year. It’s always a source of apprehension to leave them in the care of someone else. Not because I think they won’t be well cared for, but because I know them better. I know what they mean when they say what they say, when they act the way they do, when they make the faces they make and cry the tears they cry. I know them, but I also know that learning to communicate who they are to someone else is good for them.

We went to orientation last week and I heard something I had never heard before from Ivan’s teacher. She told the parents that most children in the 6-7 age group (typical first graders) are going through development changes that are almost as stressful as going through puberty. In thinking about it, it makes sense. They are truly leaving the dependence stage…yes, they have been in the process, but now we are expecting so many things of them and their minds are making sense out of so much around them. Their reasoning changes and their own logic is guiding them so much more. I LOVE this stage in so many ways and Ivan is truly making it a lot of fun. He is a very vocal thinker. His ideas and inventions are going to be legendary. I just hope that I can be sensitive to the stress that goes with it and recognize that some of his stubborn moments are more than they appear.

Owen is in third grade and I love this age too. He is already conquering so many of the things I remember conquering in third grade. His reading and hunger for learning has increased and his ability to find understanding in situations he faces is such a peace to me. He is a great kid, the kind you don’t have to worry about, but also the kind you have to remember to ask now and then if everything is as okay as he’s making it look. He’s a peaceful soul and I don’t want to take advantage of that.

Aron is doing puzzles while I type and I need to give him some attention. So I will post a few pictures from this morning and be done.