This years back to school preparation was extra hard for us. Connor has been going to the same school since Kindergarten and we absolutely loved it there so much. We have made so many friends and made great memories during our time there. But, the school was about 20 miles away from our house. We spent so much time in the car every day driving to and from school. It was really hard for all of us.
Last spring we were notified that Connor (and then eventually Noah) got transferred to the campus closer to our house. It was a bittersweet notification for us. Being so close to school and the possibility of having classmates and friends in our neighborhood is so exciting to us! But, moving away from our friends and the school staff who have loved and supported our family for 4 years is so, so hard.
Noah is very excited about the change. But, we spent the entire summer trying to convince Connor that this change is for the best and that he will like it just as much as his first school. It was difficult.
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BACK TO SCHOOL 2019/2020
We had a great time meeting each of their teachers a few days before school started. Noah was excited to see his friend from preschool is in his class. He liked his teachers’ library in her classroom and was excited to see his desk.
Connor was quiet but liked looking around his class and finding his desk. He especially liked the class pet- a guinea pig named Albert. We spent a few minutes talking with his teacher and found out she is good friends with our pastor and his wife! We felt really good leaving the school that night.
But then, out of nowhere, Connor burst into tears. He started crying so hard he couldn’t even talk. He finally was able to tell me he was so mad at me for moving him away from Anthem. Talk about heartbreak! It was awful. We were able to talk to him a little bit that night but ultimately we knew we just needed school to start for him to accept and understand that this was all going to be ok.
This morning the boys woke up in great moods and were ready to start school. They requested that we walk them into school instead of using the car line. We all held it together really well until we get to the doors of the building. I got the lump in my throat and my eyes filled with tears. I hugged Connor extra tightly and he said to me “Don’t cry, Mommy! I’ll be fine!” Both of the boys were so brave and confident as they walked into the building. I am so, so proud of them!
I purposefully kept myself pretty busy during the day but I still thought about the boys nonstop. I wanted so badly to know how they were doing. Were they making friends? Did they eat their lunch?
Abe and I both were pretty excited to pick them up after their after school activities and we were even more excited when we saw the big smiles they each had on their faces! Both boys said it was a great first day! They made friends (though they can’t remember anyone’s name just yet) and they both had friends to sit with at lunch and to play with at recess! I was so, so relieved!
After pickup, we had a celebratory ice cream date!
It has been so incredible to see God work in this situation. We are sad and it is hard but we know that His timing is perfect and this transfer happened exactly when it was supposed to. We are so thankful for the special teachers He specifically chose for each of the boys. I know that He will keep them safe and help them during this transition. I am praying extra hard for a special friend or two for each of them.
As hard as the change is, we are so excited to get settled into our new school. I am eager for the boys to make new friends, and for me to meet new mom friends, too. I know this is going to be so good for our entire family and we can’t wait to see how this year goes.
I am so, so proud of my boys for being brave today.
