The Counts Family: Start of the 13 Year Sentence

wed.
i decided to keep warren home with me to spend some quality time. not sure how much of that we accomplished, but still it was a nice day. mom and her friend came over early and we picked bushels of apples at my editor's house. warren wasn't too cooperative since he thought it would be more fun to juggle...

he and i attempted and succeeded at a dutch apple pie! it's fantastic! i love to bake but cannot. everything i create looks like compost, but tastes pretty good. therefore, i was elated something actually worked. and no, i can't make a crust, so thank you, pillsbury.

we did laundry, watched the original 1976 bad news bears (my first time), warren napped and off i went to pick up ellie.

then it was snacks, baths, clean clothes and loading up the car with warren's school supplies for open house. we had to stand in line until they opened the doors and it was a complete mad house. wall to wall people and and the cacophony! warren led us to his classroom and he found his seat, cubby and folder. of course he just wanted to play but by 615 the presentation was to begin, so he had to sit still. we brought ellie with us (we weren't supposed to) because i wanted something to focus on. she certainly kept me busy while ryan was able to take in all the teacher was saying. we felt pretty comfortable with things and were home by 7.
warren was pretty disappointed he had to go to preschool thurs., but as his last day i thought perhaps his teachers would have something special for him.

thurs.
warren got beat up at preschool. what a way to end a 3+ year experience.
i can actually say he wasn't at fault. he passed a kid sitting in time-out and the kid kicked him, punched him and knocked him down. warren had a bloody lip but didn't act too miserable.

ryan prepared a fantastic meal, i finished all of the paperwork for school and warren completed his homework assignment. ellie was a pain to be around - extremely cranky - for i've refused to let her take an after school nap; makes bedtime a nightmare, literally. plus she refuses to eat meat now. only fruit and cheese: slices, crumbles, shredded, with macaroni, etc. how the kid goes to the bathroom i have no idea. it felt like a long evening, but warren was bathed and in bed at 8... we were in bed by 9 and i was asleep by 930.

but i didn't sleep. i was up off and on all night. i just couldn't shake the worry about his first day. sometimes being a grown up isn't easy.

fri.
up at 615... good grief. we have always risen at 7. how things will change in our household. i'm proud to say, warren was up first.

then he spent 10 min. heaving in the bathroom. a kid after my own heart :) kidding! he was perfectly fine - nothing came up. i think it was just sinus drainage. he didn't complain about an upset stomach, headache or anything - so i guess he didn't get the 'nervous gene' after all. lucky guy.

ryan was already preparing breakfast for him. warren said a month ago he had to have bacon and eggs his first day. his dad didn't let him down. we instructed warren that everyday now he must wash his face, fingernails, brush his teeth and hair. by the time i made it into the bathroom the hand towel was soaking wet. forgot to tell him to use a washcloth... nice.

we had picked out his clothes the night before and when he started to put on his shirt, ryan noticed an ink tag still attached. great.

he wore his backpack for over 30 minutes after he picked out a different shirt, his sister spilled his glass of milk all over her and had to be changed. super.

the bus was to arrive at 725. we sat on the front porch until 740. our neighbor came out to send

him off as well. was very thoughtful and wonderful. ellie rolled around in the dirt before we could catch her but i wasn't in the mood to change her again. when the bus arrived, ryan rushed him so i didn't get my hugs and kisses :( he tried to get in on the driver's side, which was pretty funny and we watched him walk ALL THE WAY to the back of the bus. how silly.

took ellie to preschool in her dirty dress sniffling the whole way. was starting to hit me. daily i would take ellie to the baby room, then come down the ramp to have warren waiting for me with hugs, kisses, 'i love you' and "can i have gum when i get home?" today he wasn't there for me.

i know it's completely selfish to be so emotional. at least warren didn't see me cry. next week will be easier and by sept. it will feel as if this is how it has always been. change and the uncertainty of newness can be frightening for so many people. how thankful i am my son doesn't give a hoot about any of that. he was giddy all morning.

how ironic this time next year we'll be praying school starts even sooner to get him out of the house! :)

good luck on your first day, son!