This morning at 7:14, Andrew and then James glided into the kitchen completely dressed for the day and without their blankets. They usually comes downstairs in their pjs and with their blankets (Yes, they all still sleep with their baby blankets. Apparently, their dad had one until the day before we were married, so I figure its in the genetics, why fight it?). Needless to say, I was a bit shocked to see them all ready to go. Andrew informed me that he got dressed super quietly and that all that banging around was James, not him.
I, like every other day, made a hot breakfast (pancakes, sausage, fresh cut peaches) because I am a total morning person. I love getting up in the morning--the earlier, the better. Okay, I'm lying. I am so NOT a morning person. In fact, I am so much NOT a 'morning person' that last night at bedtime James suggested to me that I should stock up on granola bars. When I asked why, he explained that school starts at 9 and usually I am still in bed at 8:30 or 9 so they'll need a fast breakfast. So, I felt a little embarrassed that my 6 year old was calling me out on being a slacker. When I suggested that I could in fact get up and make breakfast before school, he didn't seem to believe me. So, I had to prove him wrong. And now that I've done that, I can go back to sleeping in and letting them eat granola bars.
After breakfast, we did the obligatory before school pictures in the front yard. We've done these for preschool the past few years, but this year's pictures seemed more official. Not because it was kindergarten instead of pre-school, but because we had a homemade chalkboard to write on and hold in the photo (thank you pinterest!).
And then we did a few "old school" photos with mom and dad. Sorry, no fancy pinterest crafts in these ones folks.
After that, it was off to school. Daddy was able to join us. His presence was just as much for my benefit as the kids (maybe more?). I think he wanted to make sure that I didn't lay on the ground in the school's front hallway creating a scene by crying. And for the record, I didn't. I was upbeat. I was excited. This was a great day.
When we got inside, it was time for the boys to go their separate ways. Being able to go to different classrooms on opposite sides of the school (so that they wouldn't see each other for most of the school day and get to just be their own person) was one of the big draws of putting them in this school. That being said, this is the most time that they've spent apart from each other.
I'll never understand the twin bond because I'm not a twin. But these boys have something special between them that I will never fully grasp and has amazed me over the years. Before they spoke English and just talked in incoherent babbles, they would say something repeatedly. I would have no idea what they wanted and then finally the other one would walk across the room, intentionally grab something and take it to the other one which appeased him. They had their own language. If they couldn't say a word, they made up a new one. We only ever decoded one or of their substitutions. They were each others' first buddy and have known each other since before their mom and dad even got to meet them. They could write a book on sharing. They have been sharing since the first day their hearts were beating---starting with food and space. I use to joke that we would never going to be as important to them as they are to each other. But in all seriousness, I think its true.
They started out sharing a bassinet, then a crib, and now just a set of bunk beds in their bedroom.
So, when it came time for them to go to rooms in opposite directions, I slightly panicked. Do we send them on their own? Do we walk them to their rooms separately with Jon going with one and me with the other? Do we walk them one at a time and make someone wait? I said "Do you want us to walk you or do you want to go on your own?"
Before I realized I had said that, James replied that he wanted to go on his own. So he took off. About halfway to his classroom, he turned and said loudly "Goodbye mom! See you later!" in the most cheerful, not embarrassed by his mom voice. I wish I had my camera out at that moment to snap it, instead I will have to rely on the mental picture that is etched into my mind of my boy with a big smile planted on his face, lunchbox in one hand and the other hand waving enthusiastically. And that's when I lost it. A few tears trickled down my face as a nearby teacher put her hand on her heart and said "Aww...so sweet!" Yes, my sentiments exactly.
Then I remembered I was missing out on Andrew heading to his class, so I quickly brushed my tears aside and followed my other big boy down the hall. He said we could follow behind him a little bit, but not too close. Thanks buddy! I was able to snap a quick picture of him weaving through school traffic on his way off to his locker.
After that, we enjoyed a little time at our school's Boo Hoo Brunch celebrating the first day of school with other families sending their oldest to school for the first time. The rest of the day was a glimpse into our new "normal". I went home with just 2 kids for the next 6 hours. Weird! It was so quiet in the house. Aaron liked having the playroom to himself and we read a few books without interruptions. Caleb treated me to a 3 hour nap (probably because of his new sleeping issues, which I will get to in another post). And, I treated my 2 littles to a lunch at 2 Toots Train Cafe in Bartlett in celebration of the first day of school.
We sat up at the counter. Caleb was very serious about the train going past repeatedly. I'd love to know what thoughts were going on in his head.
After lunch, we celebrated with cupcakes and pony rides for everyone (okay..maybe just Aaron and Caleb, I mean I was wearing a sundress after all and I'm a lady).
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