Tomorrow marks not only the beginning of a new month, it is also the official end of the summer holidays for our family as the girls begin the new school year in the morning. The atmosphere at the dinner table tonight was enthusiastic overall, with only one child of the four not intensely looking forward to the first day. It was a big change from last year, when there was a great deal of anxiety over the unknown mixed in with the anticipation.
As I looked around at each child tonight, enjoying the banter and the back and forth wondering about new teachers, new classes, and new and old friends, I could not help but reflect over how each one has grown and developed.
James: Where did this self-confident five-year-old come from? One year ago he refused to look at other children his age. Today I watched him climb trees, play tag, and race across the monkey bars with several boys who will be in his prep class beginning on Friday. He told me later about each one, assuring me all the while that Gus is still his best friend. I was amused when he requested an 89 gigabyte ipod for his next birthday at the dinner table, and somewhat annoyed when he kept singing the chipmunk version of "Party in the House Tonight." One of his older siblings has shown him the youtube video one too many times. As for school, he cannot believe the first day has been so long in coming. I loved seeing his eyes light up tonight when I told him it was only two more sleeps until the big day.
Sophie: Today was a long one for our younger daughter. She wanted to stay home so that she would not encounter any school kids already wearing uniforms and thus obviously back to school before her first day. Her supplies have been packed in her back pack for several days now, and she has a new haircut in preparation for the new school year. We found out today that she has the teacher she was hoping for, which is great, but she remarked that she will miss last year's teacher very much.
Cameron: You probably guessed that he is the one least enthused about going back to school. He has spent the past few days reminding me of the advantages of home schooling, and wishing that Wednesday would last forever (he starts back on Thursday). Lately he has become even more enthused over cricket, enjoying both playing and watching it on television. Fortunately for him, school in Australia affords lots of opportunities to participate in sport, so he has that to look forward to. He will be the big man on campus this year, a year 6 student in a primary school, and he is hoping for a leadership role.
Katie: Our eldest would gladly have started back to school last week, or even the week before that. She has been organizing her books since they arrived from the post office last Friday, and for several days now she has been madly searching for last year's Latin book, which had gone missing, so that she could revise. This morning, to her delight, she found it in her P.E. bag, just in time for some review before the first day. I never would have guessed that Latin would be her favourite subject, but I am of course not at all displeased.
Ross: Unfortunately he is in Florida this week. January has been a tough month for him as preparation for this trip has required long hours from him. He will spend less than twenty-four hours in Pittsburgh before he returns on Saturday.
Christie: At the moment I feel both overwhelmed and excited about the weeks ahead. I prefer routine, and I love school and classes and seeing my kids participate in them, but I also remember from last year that the next few days and weeks will require some adjustments and perhaps a difficult morning or two (or three). Hopefully tomorrow won't be one of them!
Time is flying. So glad to hear they are so enthused about going back to school and James starting school, wow! Mya is waiting for a full report and wants to talk to him about it.:) All of this makes us miss you all the more. We are ready for you to come home. Sending our love.
Posted by: Linsey Smith | 02/01/2012 at 12:48 AM