First Day Of School Tears

Collin just got on the bus for preschool. I know I said I was going to throw confetti and have a party on the sidewalk when the bus picked him up for his first day of school- the kid has been driving me crazy all summer! But I cried a little. He looked so little sitting in that big bus and kind of scared, timid, unsure- totally NOT Collin. I know he will be fine. This isn’t his first year of preschool so I was surprised when the unexpected tears sprouted. (You can read about his first year of preschool here.)

I didn’t think I was going to be this way this year, all sentimental and teary eyed. I did this last year for Collin and this is my fourth time for Bradley, so I’m experienced, almost a pro at sending the kids off to school. I have been reading friends’ facebook posts and looking at their pictures and hearing their stories about the first day of school and I was rather cocky, I am so not going to be that crying mom. I’m ready for all of my kids to go to school and get out of the house! Well, that’s what I thought…but I guess no matter how you feel or think you feel at the time, it’s still hard seeing them grow up.

Bradley had his first day of school last week. Second grade!! When we were walking up to the building I had him stop so I could take his picture. “Mom,” he said, all embarrassed. “Just let me take your picture once and give me a hug and kiss, otherwise I will do it when you are standing in line with your friends,” I warned. He complied. And after the bell rang and I was in my car…yep, you guessed it. A few unexpected tears leaked out. Maybe because he’s getting so big and I can actually embarrass him now. I used to be so awesome. These changes are hard. (You can read about his first day of Kindergarten here.)

But at least he gets to have a cool ride home on Wednesdays. Thanks again, Grandpa Russ!

Two down and two to go. Just a few more years and ALL of my kids will be in school. YIKES!

For now Elsie and Mallie are content watching for their brother’s bus to come home. Soon enough they will be ready to go off to school too. That will be a double whammy!

When in the world do the tears stop for the first day of school? Will I still cry when my kid walks into junior high, high school?

And why am I the one crying?! Why aren’t they crying for their dear ol’ mom? Oh, well. Guess I’m lucky on that one. It would be even harder if they cried too.

Parent Teacher Conferences and Chicken Butts

Daddy:  Guess What?

Bradley:  What?

Daddy:  Chicken Butt

HaHaHaHahahahhahahaha!!!!!!!!!  At least to a 5-year-old it is hilarious. We thought it was pretty darn cute too, until we went to Bradley’s preschool parent teacher conference. Okay, I confess, it still is kinda funny.

Last Thursday we walked down the hallway filled with crayon drawings, stick figures, and torn up magazine collages with clumps of glue hanging onto string and googly eyes, to see Bradley’s teacher for our parent teacher conference.

I love seeing all the drawings, labeled on the bottom with thick black marker in the teacher’s plain print so you know what the subject is. Many kids drew pictures of their moms, friends, or Valentine’s cupcakes. Not my son, he drew a carpet. A carpet? Really? All these cute drawings, and that is what he does. At least I can say it was the most original piece of art.  Who knows what he was thinking.  Which got me to thinking…I wonder what she will have to tell us. Last time we got a pretty good report, so I was assuming it would be about the same because I haven’t gotten any phone calls from the school, thank goodness.

I sat flipping through laminated construction paper books looking at the cute pictures of field trips and their simple sentences. I found Bradley in a couple of the books. I just can’t believe how much he has grown up. He’s turning into a little boy. AND…he has a little boys sense of humor. The teacher told us he was a joy to have in class, except that he sometimes uses “inappropriate language” (just to note, she was looking at Brad when she said  this, ha). She said that there were some words that he shouldn’t be saying at all, but mostly he has gotten into trouble for saying “chicken butt.”

She explained not that it is a bad word, but it is when he uses it, like in the middle of story time. And he has said it SO much, all he has to say now is “chicken” and he gets the whole class going. The teacher says, “I know he has older brothers, and a Dad. I figure he has picked it up there.” I was just trying not to bust up laughing as Brad explains with rosy cheeks that that one is his fault, it is their little joke. Along with Bradley saying “jackwagon” all the time from the Geico commercial. So now I just picture him saying, “chicken…chicken. CHICKEN,” and getting all the laughs and attention.

Goofballs

We talk to him about it and tell him not to do it anymore. We try to tell him with a straight face.

And tonight…Bradley is playing with his learning laptop that will say the letters as you push them. Guess what his Dad taught him tonight. “Bradley, type these letters. I.C.U.P.” and they laughed and laughed and laughed. Bradley did that one at least 50 times, cracking up laughing each time. “I see you pee. I see you pee.” hahahaha. Now I’m just waiting to hear about that one from the teacher. Boys! 😉

What are some of the crazy things your kids have said at inappropriate times? I love to hear these stories. Just leave a comment to share 🙂