First Day of School!!

Evelyn's first day! A very rainy day, but we donned rain gear and made our way to school early as suggested. I was happy that even following a bus, we made it in about 15 minutes.

In Waldorf schools they like to celebrate events and have many special ceremonies throughout the year. This morning's Rose Ceremony -almost a full-blown tear jerker! The class and parents met ahead of time with time to settle in and for the first graders to be paired with their senior buddies. Parents left and assembled in the gym along with the rest of the school. There was a welcome of new students, each teacher sharing a bit of their class for the year, then the time came...A young girl played violin, the seniors stood in a line in front, the 1st graders were seated in the front row. The teacher read a name, the senior buddy met them, gave them a rose, offered their hand as they walked over the 'rainbow bridge' upon which their teacher greeted them and welcomed them. Evelyn did things on cue and well. Kevin and I kept it together for that part. However, as the class left, the remaining classes through seniors sang in harmony, a song in Latin in rounds. It was lovely as we were escorted in an organized fashion from the gym. Tears filled our eyes and again, a sign that perhaps this is where we should be for this time of life.

Christian and I took Kevin to the dental school returning for a tea held in his preschool classroom. We had the chance to play, meet his classmates and parents mingled. It was a very nice way to spend more time getting to know the school and the people who choose Waldorf education for their children. I feel so welcomed by everyone at the school and see the strong sense of community here. My heart is happy!

The day ended early-- only a half day for this first day, complete with popsicles (organic frozen fruit bars) in the gym. Christian charmed his way to get seconds for he and Evelyn. :)

The non-solstice end of summer

It's 9:42pm EST as I type this blog. Feeling some butterflies as tomorrow Evelyn begins school. Her 4th school in the 4 years of attending school. I vowed I would have my kids lead stable school lives, not school hopping. How often we eat our words as adults and parents. Here's to hoping we've found a great match in Waldorf ed and this next 4 years while Kevin attends dental school, Evelyn attends just this one school.

The alarm in our room is set for 6:15 a.m.; Evelyn requested an alarm as well and I chose 7:07 as she is 7. We will leave promptly as 7:55a.m. as we are told the first day is very difficult to find parking if we arrive past 8:20. We'll attend the Rose Ceremony in which the 1st graders receive a rose from their senior buddy. In spring when the seniors are ready to graduate the seniors will be on the receiving end as the 1st grade buddies hand them roses to send them into the world. I'm happy to hear that Kevin will be able to attend with us. After the ceremony when Evelyn enters her first grade classroom for the first time, Christian and I will drop Kevin off at dental school. Christian and I will need to be back at the school for a preschool tea with the preschool families. We'll stick around until 12:30pm when Evelyn is finished-- only a half day for her this first day. We can ease in...

Here's to a good night and where sleep chases the butterflies away. I'll hope for no crazy dreams of not being able to make it on time, or of the car being stuck in endless traffic, or my feet not moving...all those great dream dilemmas. And I'll hope for the raindrops to spare us a few morning pictures! Until then...sweet dreams.

Kevin's Big Day!

August 24, 2 days prior to our 14th anniversary, Kevin woke up early to don a suit, tie and Birks for his first week of dental school. No worries, the Birks only were for the mile walk from our house to the school. But one can get away with such a fashion faux pas here in A2. This was the moment we have been centering our lives around for the past few years. We frolicked all summer (minus getting our house ready for the market, the move - not much frolicking when you are packing up a life of 10 yrs) to soak up, in Kevin's words, "his summer of frivolity," savoring each day knowing that life was going to turn upside down. A new state, city, friends, lifestyle, schools and the list goes on...

Kevin's 1st Day

We are in week 2. As I type, the kids lie in their beds, and Kevin studies for his 2 tests tomorrow! It's definitely a new life, but it's really good. I can still happily pull out my Life is Good wear and mean it! We are so thankful for this opportunity. The next 2 years in particular will be challenging and we'll have intermittent family time, but we are transitioning pretty well. In fact, Evelyn is happily counting down the days until she can begin school-- that will be a whole other post! We are at 5 days and counting... This is a good sign. Life is good!