We started off pretty well, with a well-rested kid who did not have to be woken from a deep slumber as I’d feared, and while it’s going to take a few days to work out a morning routine that works smoothly for all of us, we did make it out the door on time with all necessary items in place. It wasn’t even that bad of a stroll (despite the fact that this was to be the hottest day of the year so far, what’s that you say school is the start of fall hahahahahahaha). It wasn’t until we got to the front of the school that we started to sweat because there were tons of kids and parents queued up like it was Disneyland or something, waiting for the officials to raise the gates and let us in. That was fun. I’m not so keen on that much perspiration that early in the day that doesn’t include being yelled at by Jillian Michaels.
Since we’d learned the lay of the land (or at least the classroom) a few days ago at meet the teacher night, we made our way inside fairly easily and got the boy squared away, backpack and lunchbox tucked neatly in his cubbie, nametag firmly in place (thank goodness Mommy has fingernails because nothing else short of a blowtorch was getting that sticker off the backing), and requisite pictures taken. And I didn’t know what to do next. But then again, neither did any of the other parents because no one was moving. So I took one for the team and before I started misting up (mah baby boy!), I grabbed the rest of the family and hightailed it out the door. There was promise of a boo-hoo breakfast, but I’d be goshdarned as to where. Luckily the Hub doesn’t have a problem asking for directions (clearly we are completely backward in gender roles here) and found out how to find the library. We snagged a donut or 2, realized there was only a small group of folks bonding over the Starbucks who obviously knew each other, and decided it was time to leave the premises. This is where I explain that, although I knew how to find Sammy’s classroom from the front door, I had no idea where the library was actually located in the building until Chris turned me around and pointed to the front door, mere feet away. Turns out we had walked around the entire building to find the library in the first place. Directional impairment, for the win!
Did I worry about my boy the whole day? Duh, of course I did. Have you met me? But I didn’t get too worked up, other than fretting ever so slightly about the fact that after months of complete normalcy, Sammy’s itchy eye allergies threatened to rear up again this morning, after we got to school and far away from any medication. I just kept myself busy as best as possible and away from Google searches like Kid Flunks Kindergarten on First Day.
There are few kind words to describe pick up. Sabrina decided to take an epic nap, and so required parental rousing. This never bodes well, and surely she was in a foul mood for a while. She insisted on swiping the water bottle I’d prepped for Sammy (tomorrow, remember 2 bottles), but luckily left some to share. I’ve asked at least 3 times how dismissal in handled, and have yet to get a straight answer. The reason is they have no idea what they’re doing. Sabrina and I walked up to a mob scene outside the gym, scads of parents either standing around cluelessly (like me) or shouting out their kids’ names while waving some sort of pick up card I’d yet to possess. I watched another mom grab someone – anyone – who looked like they had some idea what was going on and eavesdropped to find out she was exactly like me, a kindergarten mom doing this for the first time. Another kindergarten mom was right there with her, so I just attached myself to them (subsequently learning Mom #1 has a boy in Sammy’s class – yay me for being so proactive). We slowly made out way to the door and waited for someone teacherly to approach. I must say all those meetings last week to arrange Sammy’s therapy and IEP particulars paid off in a surprising way when the assistant principal recognized me (in my 106 degree sweaty glory), smiled, and got my boy for me.
And then, the moment of truth. I’d seen every expression come out of that building, from elation to tears, and I really didn’t know what to expect. So when I got a great big smile from ear to ear, I finally exhaled. On the walk home, he actually gave me a few details beyond the usual “It was good” response I typically got, covering the story they read, how they went to music class, and that they had a snack. All lunch and snack containers returned home in good condition. We made the very important call the Grandma to tell her about the day (she, too, got a decent conversation about the events of the day), so I can now call this first school day one for the books. I have no idea what tomorrow will bring, but I’m a nanobit closer to getting the hang of things. I might know what I’m doing come May.
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