All families of the elementary school aged kids were invited to a breakfast at the school this morning. We told the kids all about it yesterday, and Brady opted to stay for it and go to work a bit later into the morning. While the breakfast was at school, regular classes still needed to commence at the regular time, so breakfast began at 7:45am.
Brady woke up feeling chipper and refreshed from sleeping in, while I dragged my zombie self up out of bed and moved very slowly getting dressed and ready. But I soon forced myself to snap out of it, and gathered up Dekker’s lunch and books, and started getting the kids up and picking their clothes. We left our house at 7:40.
With the road construction around the school, everyone has to park pretty far away now, and it was cold and raining this morning. But we made it anyway. Something as basic as rain wouldn’t stop that. We dropped off Dekker’s backpack and all kicked off our shoes, and headed to the gym. We got everyone seated, and then Dekker came to help get the food for the group. We went to the serving station run by his teacher, his french teacher, and the one teacher still working there who taught me. We chatted a bit as they heaped up a few big plates for us, and then we took them back and dispersed them between the 5 of us who were eating. Only three trips back officially fed everyone!
We hauled out when it was coming time to clean up, and moved Dekker’s shoes to the right boot room, hung up his jacket and backpack, etc. Our whole group was in his kindergarten classroom while he was getting settled, and Brady commented on how he wanted to just give Dekker a hug before we left. In my head, I was nervous, because the last time I actually gave him a hug and said goodbye, he cried when I left. But Brady never gets a chance to drop him off, so I definitely understand. Before we really had a chance, Dekker said he was going to go read, and started to walk away. I called him back, and he hugged Brady, and Rowan, and me. He walked up to Laela and asked “Laela, would you hug me?” She gave him a big hug, and they lingered a little. It was pretty cute. And then he said “I’m going to the quiet room to look at books” and he was off! No looking back, no tears, etc. I was SO happy!
Until we left the classroom and Laela burst out crying. “I want to read in the quiet rooooom!” I should have known she’d be sad. When Dekker was putting on his indoor shoes, she was asking which ones she would wear. She wanted to stay, and was VERY sad to leave. “Not WANT that!” she cried. I told here that in two years, she would get to stay, and that it would feel soon. She accepted it, which I was thankful for, and we headed back to the van.
Everyone is now soaked, and at home. Well, Deks is at school, and Brady is at work, but the four of us are here, drying off and playing toys. I am SO tired, for some reason. Fleece leggings are on, and coffee is brewed. Screw a latte. I made a pot.
But seriously, it was a great morning! I saw Dekker interact with some friends without any prompting from me. I met a few parents that I didn’t know before. I got to have breakfast with my husband during the week. I felt the rain for the first time in a long time. And now, I can be comfy and sip my coffee. Can’t complain!