1st Day

Hudson officially started school today.  I had lots of mixed emotions, but none of them were sad or anxious for Hudson.  I was so excited for Hudson to finally get to try out school.  It’s the start of an extremely long rite of passage.  I was also very proud of him for being brave and willing to try such a new experience.  He does have quite a few friends in his class so I’m sure that will help.  His teacher is very sweet and welcoming.  I”m sure Hudson will grow to love her.

Once in the classroom Annie went crazy.  She thought everything was so cool.  Hudson was fine when we left, but Annie threw a royal fit.  You’d think she was being tortured…which to her, it may have  felt that way.

The emotions I really had to come to terms with, were the ones that came on as I realized I was finally on the other end of the education spectrum.  I have been a student, a teacher and now…I’m the parent.  The student in me wanted to pull up a chair next to Hudson and enjoy the day listening to stories and singing.  The teacher in me wanted to control the chaos.  Filtering the questions that poured through my head was like trying to stop the water in a firehose with your hand.  Will she do DRA assessments?  What kind of core curriculum does she plan on teaching?  What systems are in place to ensure that all of the students are learning and growing?  Does she have a collaborative learning style?  Does she know how to set her objectives to the correct level of difficulty?  Is she familiar with NCTM content and process standards and will she integrate the subjects? One by one, I tucked each question back into my brain.  I am no longer the teacher!!…her classroom, her kids, her curriculum, her call, her responsibility!  Panges of teaching are a little raw today, I realize I do still miss it.  Then again, how can you not miss a huge part of you that has just ceased to exist?  Some might think, that teaching primary can squelch the feelings or even compare, but it is not the same!  I know, I know.  You’d think I was missing a child.  If you happen to see me a little meloncholy, just nod, smile and ignore me, I’ll be fine…tomorrow!

Playing the Bride

Our photo club decided to practice bridal photos this month…and I got to be the live dummy.  I still have my wedding dress and it fits so how could I resist?  How often do you really get to wear your wedding dress anyway?  Considering my actual wedding experience and the fact that I have limited memories of my actual wedding, it was nice to get to wear it one more time.  I did note that I look considerably older than my first bridals.  Then again it has almost been 7 years.

I do carry a little bit of guilt from the whole experience.  I tried to be gracious about all of the well wishing and congratulations I received.  I even held my tongue when a guy held up his baby girl and said, “This is what you have to look forward to.”  I wanted to say, “No, you have no idea what YOU have to look forward to…just wait until she’s 2!”

The guilt hit full tilt when a guy approached me and asked if I was a model or a bride.  Technically, I am neither, but kind of both.  Apparently, my response of bride lost him a bet…oops!

Duped

I took Hudson in for his Kindergarten shots and check-up awhile back.  As part of this process, the nurse had Hudson read an eye chart.  He couldn’t read past the big E at the top.  The nurse didn’t think he knew his letters so changed to a picture chart in which Hudson couldn’t identify anything except for a boat.  Of course I was a little surprised, but not all that suspicious.  He had a 50/50 chance between Will and I to either need glasses with a fairly heavy prescription or absolutely nothing at all.  Since Will had glasses at a young age, I was bracing myself for all the glasses that would be to come.

Hudson and I headed off to the optometrist last week in anticipation of school starting this Thursday.  I sat in on the appointment and was shocked to see Hudson read every last letter.  He could quickly read letters smaller than a 5 pt font.  I had to use a magnifying glass to read some of the letters he was spouting off.  Dr. Rosa found Hudson’s evasive maneuvers with the original nurse comical.  End result: Hudson has perfect vision (Ha!  He does have some of my genes).  We have officially been duped.  The only thing that worries me is that this will most surely not be the last!

Sweet Dreams

Annie’s room is almost complete.  I was tickled pink when I finally found some bedding for her.  I have been searching for the last year trying to find a set I like.  This is what I foun,d fell in love with and got.  Even though I’m all about her being a girl, I’m not all about the pink.  It works more for me as an accent color.

The bed is for another day.  I’ve been having a hard time finding one that I like. Note: Annie was very quick to jump in bed and pretend like she was sleeping.  She really wanted to be in the picture.

On a side note, I found this cute decal set that I have been tempted with.  It would fit with everything perfectly!

The Little Man

Hudson’s CTR 5 teacher let us in on Hudson’s classroom activity this Sunday.  Apparently, he is sweet on one of the girls.  I won’t mention names, but I guess he has a thing for cute little girls with long beautiful blonde hair.  I couldn’t help but think, “Already?!”  None the less, he is all about the smooth moves.  While sitting in class, Hudson leans over to this little girl.  He slowly reaches out his arm and rests it on the back of her chair.  According to the eye witness, he then moves his hand onto her shoulder.  With the retelling of the story I just kind of stood there with my mouth gaping open.  I didn’t even know what to think.  Lots of things went through my head, “Where did he learn this?!  Did he think this himself?!  How can he already like girls?!”  After I managed to close my mouth, I laughed.  That’s it- just laughed.  But of course the mother in me cringed slightly wondering what the future will bring.  Hopefully he will grow up slow – with plenty of time for us to teach him.  I’m not ready for 15 years down the road just yet.  For once in my life, I’m glad tantrums and messes are the biggest of my worries.