Connor and Layla are now at the same school (again!). Layla had her final “real” week with Miss Lulu 2 weeks ago. Big brother got to be there as well that week since “big school” (that’s what the kids call it) was closed in preparation of the new school year. As Miss Lulu reminded me, they will always be in her life and will still get to spend many days with her throughout the year, when school is closed. That helped this emotional Momma, a lot! We have spent the last 4 years going to Miss Lulu’s 4-5 days a week and having that finally come to an end was hard, but they are growing up and it was time.
That being said, the first couple weeks back to school have been full of emotion for us all. Excitement, anticipation, happiness, exhaustion, some tears, joy, you name it, the emotion was there! On Monday morning, Layla walked right in to her classroom (circle time had already begun), gave me a hug and kiss (only because I asked), sat in circle with her knees folded under, hands in lap, looked up, blew me a kiss and turned straight to the teacher…WISH I could have captured that moment on video! She acted as if she had done it a hundred times before. It almost stunned me to watch, and it kind of broke my heart too. Charlie and I both dropped off that morning and he was already in Connor’s room. In PK4 they have a dry erase board where the child signs themselves in each morning, he had already written his name on the board (which he’s doing quite well these days) and was walking toward circle. I grabbed him and gave him a big squeeze, but even my clingy “don’t leave me Mama” child had no issues Monday morning. That was it, off to work I went, wondering where had my babies gone, I had a pit in my stomach the entire day. BUT as hard as it is on me, I love every second of it and these moments make me so proud I can hardly stand it!! Since then Layla has had her ups and downs with the adjustment. She’s exhausted at the end of the day, some days she has begged to go to Lulu’s, other days asks to go to “Connor’s school.” We love the school and both of their teacher’s are wonderful and Layla will adjust in no time! Here are some pics from last Lulu day and first week of school!
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| This is a classic at Miss Lulu's! |
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| Miss Layla, 1st day of PK3, with her funny little top lip tucked under smile! |
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| And there's big brother, 1st day of PK4!! |
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| After school ice cream treats (in fun little scoops Layla picked out)! |
Now, I need to brag on Connor for a moment. No child is perfect BUT Connor has been about the most perfect big brother a little sister could possibly ask for. He is a caring soul with a heart of gold. My Aunt (who has her PhD in child development) has said there is more empathy in that little boy than in many adults, and I agree! The days leading up to 1st day of school, we talked and talked about Layla starting “big school.” He was very excited (as was she) and would say very sweet things about helping and taking care of her at school. Well, he has gone above and beyond what I ever expected. He holds her hand walking into school every morning. Each afternoon when we pick up, he is right by her side (the classes play together outside in the afternoons). When she said she was thirsty one afternoon at pick-up, he led her to the water fountain, and then told her “just tell me if you get thirsty and I will help you, Layla.” One morning before we left for school he was worried she wasn’t eating enough of her breakfast, so he hopped up next to her and HAND fed her the rest of her waffle. A few days ago one of the teacher aides said “they are the cutest siblings I have ever seen.” Apparently something made Connor upset on the playground and he started to cry, sister saw him crying and it then made her cry, when Connor realized she was now crying he went and held her and consoled her until she stopped crying! How CUTE is that!? Oh, I could go on and on, but will stop, for now. I want to always remember these sweet little moments. I have been told it will not last between the two of them, but I quietly and respectfully disagree, I think it always will!! :)
