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Today you started third grade.
You were up at 6:30am after a bit of gentle prodding (it's hard to get up early again after a summer of late sleeping) and had a breakfast of bagel with cream cheese, OJ, and vitamins. It's your breakfast of choice during the school year - at least it was in second grade.
You chose to wear long shorts and a long sleeve t-shirt telling me that you weren't yet ready for pants. The new shoes bought for you a few weeks back are already worn with extended outside use - especially while climbing trees in the backyard.
The bus comes to this house a bit later than at our last house (which means you get to sleep at least a half-hour more). You and Anna and I waited out on the front porch for the new bus driver.
You didn't seem nervous, in fact I'd say you were excited.
The bus pulled up, you climbed right on, and off you went.
Today your sister really wanted to get on that bus with you.
Today you ate "back to school" cupcakes baked by Katie when you got home. You ran around a bit outside, watched Cyberchase online, and had an apple along with more than enough cupcakes.
You were mad that we wouldn't take you to Target to get a new Buzz Lightyear.
You got over it.
In the late afternoon you and Anna danced and sang and argued and whined a bit about the Wiggles before we ate chicken nuggets, fruit salad and french fries for dinner.
Around 7:45pm you took a bath and put your jammies on and asked me to read the next chapter in Charlie And The Chocolate Factory.
Today you and I had a great talk about conversations. Before you feel asleep we talked about your day and how it went and what was your favorite part. I asked you questions, you answered, and then you asked me questions about my day. You told me that third grade was cool.
Your sparkly eyes told me even more.
WHAT I LOVED ABOUT DOING THIS | Doing this forces me to slow down, to reflect, to remember the little details, and to feel lots of love in my heart for this awesome kid. This is what I love about memory keeping.
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My 3rd grader's favorite breakfast is bagels and cream cheese too. It's an exciting year. I know our boys will do great!
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Ali,
I am so happy for you. I feel like we are living similiar lives in Minnesota. My 11 year old son with PDD-NOS (doing pretty good), and 8 year old daughter, Lauren in 2nd grade. Both of our helpful husbands are involved in community affairs, and we, as the moms, concentrate on preserving family memories, along with earning money for our family. My blessings to you. May our sons grow up to be helpful and happy. May we be happy with what we have done to help our children and where we are to experience retirement with our spouses. That is what I hope! I thank you for your inspiration!
Sure sounds very similar Pam - peace to you and your family.
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Ali,
I've got a wonderful next chapter book to share with you that Simon might adore..."How to Be Cool in Third Grade" by Betsy Duffey is a wonderful book that I read each and every year to my classroom of Third Graders!!! Hold on to him - they grow so fast!!
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This post is wonderful, Ali! How special for your children to read later. I felt like I was sitting on the porch with you!
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Thanks so much for sharing Simon's first day of school adventures. I was not lucky enough to have children and I so much enjoy watching Simon and Anna grow and hearing their stories. Simon never ceases to amaze me with what an amazing person he is.
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Hi Ali,
I loved reading your post...you have this way about you when you write...reading it feels like we are there with you. My little man started grade 3 too...apparently grade 3 means there are no more Mom kisses on the school yard at drop off! They are growing so fasttere are moments I want to stop time and replay over and over...hoping I never forget.
...love the red door too!...please post more house pics!
Cori
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Loved reading about Simon's first day back to school! This is why I scrapbook. You and your family have been a major inspiration to me. Thank you for sharing a part of your world with us.
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Thanks for sharing, Ali. Priceless snapshot in your words.
Question: your photos have me hankerin' for stripped pjs this Xmas. Do you find that the Hana Andersson PJs for kids run big or small??
Hi Deirdre - our favorite jammies. The ones Simon is wearing are US 10's - a bit big but room for them to last a little longer. Anna's are US 2 - also room to grow. So basically that means I tend to order up one size.
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Isn't it hard for the little ones when the big brothers go off to school? my 4 year old was sure he was also starting 3rd grade with his big brother last week, he left the classroom in tears!
It sure is! I totally wonder what Anna is thinking about all of it...she must wonder where in the world he is going (even though we tell her I'm not sure she knows what it all means).
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This post gives me so much hope after a week of dragging my kicking and screaming child into school. YAY Simon! YAY Mom and Dad for getting him there!
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I love the journaling - such a moment in time captured forever. I am always trying to be more in the moment because childhood is so fleeting - 8 years yesterday, since the day we met and adopted our daughter. I want to be able to slow down more and capture these moments for her...especially since I missed some of her earliest moments. Thanks Ali for reminding me always to stop, look, listen and record with my eyes, my ears and my heart....
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Thanks for sharing Simon's first day. I'm glad he had a good one. As a pediatric OT specializing in Sensory Processing Disorders, I got a couple of calls from moms that just broke my heart. I wish every kid could have a great first day.
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First days are always so nerve wracking!! (Even for us teachers!!) Glad Simon's went so well! When I was in the classroom, I think I was just as nervous as my students were!! :-)
Thank you also for the paperclipping deal also,I will sign up this very second!
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Ok, forgot to mention how thankful I am that your Anna is still using a pacifier. Makes me feel better since My Gia will be turning 2 in October and REFUSES to give hers up. Since she is my 4th and last, I must admit, I'm in no rush to make her a "big kid" any time soon!:-)
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I loved reading this post. It felt so sweet and sincere. What wonderful memories you have captured.
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I have to say that I always enjoy all of your posts (especially about Simon). Today's though really struck my heart... not sure why, maybe the honesty, maybe the love... I don't know. Thank you for sharing this part of you and your family.
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I love the story of Simon's first day. So many memories of my children. Three in college now, but the one who just started this fall still comes home and tells me about his classes and teachers and what is going on there. Being a mom has to be the best job on earth.
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I love it, a beautiful story!
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Ali, I've been following your blog for a looong time, though I dont post much and I want to comment here on your new website/blog design. Perhaps you're also evaluating how the new format works for you and your followers so here's what I think: the new format is interesting, but I cant say it's more convenient. Whatever blogs I do visit, it's at my own convenience, when I can sit and read the posts since my previous visit - sometimes this is once a week, sometimes it's once a month. For those who approach blog visits in this same manner, it's more convenient to have all posts in one place (rather than 2 separate blogs). Additionally, having to click Continue Reading on every post is rather a nuissance. I've only just noticed the links at the bottom of the screen (Email me / Advertise / etc), and I find that the white on the light grey is almost impossible to read. I'm still poking my way around ... maybe I can get used to the new format, but I'm not exactly thrilled with the new format at this point. Your approach to Life, Scrapbooking,and scrapbooking life, now THAT's something I'm still very much inspired by.
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Hi Allie,
My children are "grown and gone" but I so look forward to reading about your daily life with your little ones. Such wonderful times and for me, such wonderful memories. Thanks for sharing.
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Dear Ali,
ON Sunday I went to my Niece's 21st Bday Party. Erin was born with Development Delay NOS and Mental Impairment at a time when Special Needs care was hard to find. At Erin's party were her Speech Therapist and past eachers from both high school and primary school and all her current friends from her Supported Workplace. It was lovely to her come of age. It was also lovely to see her mix with past memories and her contemporaries. It was a beautiful party and she has a beautiful future full of hope and dreams.
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