First Day of School

This year was full of changes for us. I went back to work full time and the bell schedule for my school is really close to the kids' which I thought would be great, but my report times are enough off and my school is far enough from theirs that drop off and pick up wasn't possible. I have to be at work at 8:00am and they can't be dropped off until 8:10. The traffic at my school is so bad for the first days of school that I had to arrive by 7:15 so I wouldn't get stuck in the car line waiting to get to the intermediate school across the street. My contract hours end at 3:20 and the kids get out at 3:35 which potentially would work, but I wasn't finished with my after-school duties on the first days of school until 3:40. Before and after care was free this year and they intended for it to be open to everyone but couldn't find enough people to meet staffing requirements so it was a lottery system and we didn't get in. We were banking on that option when we decided I'd go back to work full time this year. We scrambled trying to figure out what to do when we got the notification that the kids didn't get into before and after care. We eventually decided to use the bus. That puts the kids getting on the bus at 7:33 for an 8:20 arrival at school. We are the first stop in the morning. Then they leave school at 3:40 and should arrive back to the bus stop at 4:29 since we are the last stop in the afternoon. More on that later.

The kids woke up bright and early and were super excited for school. We did our traditional waffles and Nutella. Ty pre-made the waffles the night before while I attempted to sew a patch on Carter's shirt. My mom ended up fixing it for me because it was tech fabric and I totally messed it up! She watched the kids for us while I was at work but the kids weren't in school yet and headed home the night before their first day. Carter was so excited to open his new book present. Elise was thrilled to get the newest Pig the Pug book and Carter got What If You Had T Rex Teeth? I helped the kids get dressed, monitored them brushing their teeth, and did their hair. After I watched them open their presents I needed to leave. Carter got upset that I hadn't taken their first day of school pictures yet and Ty told him he would do it. Carter said, "But mommy always does that." It made me sad but I knew if I didn't leave, I'd get stuck in traffic and be late to school so I headed out. Carter had a harder time with the change, but Elise didn't seem to mind at all. Ty dropped them off at the bus and took pictures for me. He said the kids were really excited and Carter kept listening for the bus and couldn't wait to get on.

I was a little nervous the bus would arrive early in the afternoon because it showed it would leave Zarrow at 3:40 and I knew the buses always left earlier than that from watching them load while I was waiting in car line. Although I didn't factor in the mess that always seems to be the first day of school. I left school at 4:00 and arrived at the bus stop a little before 4:15. I was super excited to see the kids and could hardly wait. I worked on my lesson plans for next week on Google Drive while I waited. 4:30 came and went and I didn't worry too much because I knew the first day of school is always crazy with busing. Then Ty showed up and told me the kids were the only ones who got on the bus at our stop and I started to freak out they didn't get on the bus or something because they were over 30 minutes late. I finally called the school and they said the bus was running 45 minutes late so we had another 15 minutes to wait, but it ended up not arriving until almost 5:30! I was close to tears by the time the bus arrived but seeing the kids' sweet little heads through the window, I was finally able to calm down! Carter said it was terrible and he hated the bus and had a headache from sitting in the hot bus for so long. Elise didn't really say anything. Then later she told me she used the time like night and Carter confirmed that she fell asleep. I had them pack books and boogie boards to entertain themselves on the bus but I think Carter was a little nervous so he didn't get anything out. Hopefully going forward the bus is much smoother and we all have a better experience. Other than that both the kids had a great day and were excited to tell me all about their day at school! Carter was thrilled that all of 3rd grade has recess together this year so he got to see his 2 best friends outside.

Finally off the bus!

Elise's 1st Day of 1st Grade Interview

• My School Is: Zarrow! 
• My Teachers Are: Sra Camacaro, Sra. Bair, and Sra. Estes
• My 1st Day of School Is: August 19, 2021
• Height: 46.5 inches  
• Shoe Size: 1 
• Weight: 51 pounds 
• I Hope I Get to Learn About: Science!
• When I Grow Up I Want to Be: A teacher!  
• I'm Really Good At: Running!
• I Want to Get Better At: Spanish!
• This Year I Want to Learn: How to read.
• I'm Excited About 1st Grade Because: I'm in a different class!  
• My Favorite Thing About Myself Is: That I love coloring and I love to spend time with my family.

Carter's 1st Day of 3rd Grade Interview

• My School Is: Zarrow
• My Teachers Are: Sra. Contreras, Sra Aubert, and Sra. Gonzalez
• My 1st Day of School: August 19, 2021
• Height: 53 inches
• Shoe Size: 3
• Weight: 64 pounds
• I Hope I Get to Learn About: Science
• When I Grow Up I Want to Be: Science Teacher
• I'm Really Good At: Science
• I Want to Get Better At: Science
• This Year I Want to Learn: Social Studies
• I'm Excited About 3rd Grade Because: Lunch and Science
• My Favorite Thing About Myself Is: I like Crocs and I'm good at soccer.