Off to school we go

 It's August once again, which for us, means back to school.  Last Wednesday was the first day and more than one person in this house was excited for it to be the day.  I'm a little ashamed to say how much I was looking forward to school by the time it came around.  I wasn't ready for school a couple weeks before it started, but by the time we made it to the week before, the bickering and constant picking at each other had stretched my patience to the limit.  I was ready.  And, I think they were ready to have the schedule.  Somewhere to go.  Someone to see.  The only one who truly wasn't sure about the whole school-thing was Julianne.  She lost her playmates!  But, from the reports I received, the kids had a good time.

 Mason is a first grader this year.  All grown up and ready for the world.  His teacher is sweet and very cute with the kids.  I think it's going to be a great year.  She pointed out to the parents that first grade is a big year.  They grow from little kindergarteners to all grown up 2nd graders within the short 9 months they are first graders.  I realized that she's right and it freaks me out a little.  I know he's ready.  He loves to go to school, he was excited about the day.

 Oh my fourth grader.  We are treading on boundaries, that's for sure.  I decided to wait until the fall to get them new wardrobes, but just for the first day, we went shopping to pick out a new shirt for everyone.  Brooklyn begged to get hers from Justice (a girls' store in the mall).  I gave in a let her and she was ecstatic.  She thinks she's all grown up one second and wants to be coddled and babied the next.  It's very hard to keep up with sometimes and I know this is only the beginning.  She loves school.  She loves to read books and learn new things.  She got a teacher she was familiar with and even has a couple friends from 3rd grade in her class.  She will have a good year, I think.  She still doesn't have one close friend at school, but she's the type of person who wants to be friends with everyone. 

Not to be left out, Julianne got a new shirt, too.  She isn't in school this year.  One more year before I have to admit she's not my baby anymore....  She's ready to go, though.  She would love preschool.  Sometimes I wish I could just sneak her down to Norwalk to Mrs. Sierens room.  Maybe she won't notice??  Julianne is my little buddy.  She's my errand buddy, my lunch date, and my little chatterbox.  We have a good time.  She's so good tempered, I can drag her anywhere and she puts up with me. 

 Mason's teacher said they could bring one little something to share with their friends and he was stoked.  Mason never misses an opportunity for show and tell.

Finally, we had a "special" dinner that night  It was a little flustered thanks to the bus, but well deserved after the day we had. 
Waukee decided to employ a new bus company for this school year.  They sent out postcards right before school that said what bus the kids would ride and when they were to be picked up and dropped off.  Dutifully we went out to meet the bus at 8:10 and it was there relatively on time.  So far, so good.  The afternoon, however, did not go as smoothly.  Julianne and I went out to meet the bus at about 4.  They weren't scheduled until 4:10 and I figured they would be late (it was the first day, after all), but little did I know how late they would be.  Julianne and I stood around waiting and waiting. Four-thirty came and went and still no bus. I would have freaked out, but there was another mom waiting who was texting with her daughter.  The bus had left the school 20 minutes late or more, then proceeded to go around is route in reverse.  Needless to say, Jon got home at 5 and beat the kids home.  I was not happy.  But, giving them the benefit of the doubt, I planned to give them a few days to work it out.  Thursday was a little better.  They got home around 4:40, going backwards around the route and forgetting someone along the way.  They came past our stop, turned around, went past again, dropped off the forgotten kid and came back.  Again, I am not amused.  Friday was somewhat better, they were home by 4:30.  It's now Thursday and there is little improvement.  I have emailed the bus people and been promised they are working on it.  We had a new bus driver today, so we'll see when they get home today.  I am, however, seriously considering just going to pick them up in the afternoon.  They get home so late already, to be the first kids on and the last kids off seems overly unfair.  We shall see.  I like being able to just walk out to meet the bus, but picking them up wouldn't kill me. 
Here's to a new school year and to everyone getting too big.  I keep telling Julianne I'm going to put her in the shrinker so she'll stay small.  She must think I really can because she brings it up every now and then.  Happy School Year, everyone!