Here we are!

Just words today. I forgot the cord I need to move photos from my camera to the laptop. I can transfer the pics via Facebook but it takes a while. No pictures, but plenty of words. My friend and hostess, Sharon, told me that a blogger is only as good as their last post. I've been told by a few that my last post was far too long ago already so I had better step it up. And so I shall.

It's a super rainy day. I'm at the house with a cup of tea and heated blanket. Jax is upstairs watching Bob the Builder. Max and Marty are at their first day at their new school. The morning was a bit hectic as I was so enjoying a snuggle with Max and didn't realize the time. Getting 5 kids and 3 adults out the door at the same time was a bit crazy. Tomorrow will be better.

On the way through the downpour from the van to the school, Max tripped and fell. Dirty hands and very muddy jeans knees. Big tears but he calmed quickly after I cleaned him up inside. We found his class first. He's in a 2/3 split. He had met one boy in his class while we were at camp for a week in August. He had come with his mom and little brother for a visit with Sharon so the boys watched the big BMX race together. On Saturday we discovered that the older of the two boys next door to our rental home is in Max's class as well! They had some fun riding bikes together that day so got a bit acquainted. When we met the teacher today, she told me that the boy in Gr. 3 had told her about Max. That was nice, to know that a few kids already had a connection and would be a familiar face for him.

Marty. Oh, my little Marty. I found out a few weeks ago that his Kindergarten teacher is a man. How strange! I didn't really know what to think about that. Since then I've heard from several people who know or were taught by a male K teacher. I snooped his name on FB and found his picture and may have found his wife and snooped through a few of her pictures. From what I could see, they looked like a solid family. That made me feel a bit better. Well, then.  So I had an idea of what he looked like, and was told by the school secretary that he's a very tall red-head. Yesterday we went to a church in Duncan and guess who I saw sitting just a few rows from the front? Mr. Kindergarten Man! I was pretty sure it was him, so after church introduced myself. It was him indeed, and he agreed it would be a good idea for Marty to meet him there. Marty was quite shy and I think overwhelmed by being in a new place so wasn't feeling friendly. We stayed at church for a chili lunch (fundraiser for Teen Challenge), and I caught Marty sneaking peeks at his teacher and Mr. P was smiling and waving back to him. It was great to see him interacting with his own children, and it made me feel much better about taking Marty there today. He went into his class with no fears and joined the other kids on the carpet. I walked by the classroom a few times over the next half hour and he was right in there. I called at lunch to talk to Mr. P. He said Marty was well engaged with the other kids and toys and seemed to be doing just fine. I'll see how he feels at the end of the day today and perhaps do some half-days this week.  This school has lunch from 11-12ish, and then an afternoon recess. I'll have to figure out what would be best if I don't send him for the whole day.

Overall, it feels really strange to be in a new school. It does seem louder and a bit more hectic than what we're used to at the Traditional School, so that was a bit of a shock to me! I'm eager to find out about how often I can volunteer in the class so I can get a better idea of how things work there.

No one cried until Jaxon and I got in the van and drove down the road. He started crying, so very sadly, saying "I want Marty! I want my Marty!". He was pretty sad for a bit while we were running a few errands in town. Later he cried again saying "Go get boys! Go get my Max and Marty!".  So sad. I think he'll feel left out for the next while at drop-off time, but once we get settled into our own house and arrange some playdates and other activities, I think he'll be just fine. I'm very much looking forward to being reunited with my rain boots (how could I have left them at home??) and spending time walking around town for errands or exploring.

I have a very special story to tell about a little visitor I had in my bedroom bed last night. That will come another time. Right now time to feed my little man and brew a new cup of tea for myself.