Luke is ultimately the one who will be traveling out to school each day. Luke will be the one learning in school. Luke will be the one who has to do the work to get through school. But, the rest of us, his parents & sister, also had a first day of school. You see, if it weren't for his family at home and definitely our One True God above, Luke cannot & will not be fully successful in school. Yes, in this world, there are exceptions in this world about what I just stated, but we are choosing to not let Luke be that exception. Therefore....
A) The first day of school (and for the most part, the rest of his school days this year -- with sickness being an exception) required us and will require us all to be up & ready early.
B) The first day of school required us and will require us all to change our breakfast routine and actually eat breakfast together.
C) The first day of school was only the beginning of many complete changes in our household.
I could go on & on, but I'll stop for now & post pics!
*****
As I've already stated multiple times, Luke was NERVOUS about starting school. Several weeks ago, we added to our regular family prayers to "please help Luke not be nervous about kindergarten".
He did finally get excited (until the morning of)....
But, the night before, per Luke's request, we all indulged in a "Good a Luck Luke" cake -- chocolate cake per Luke.
The morning school started, Luke woke up relatively easy early; however, we could tell he was at least *slightly* nervous. Our family morning routine of getting ready on time was 100% successful. I even made pancakes & sausage for the first morning. Luke ate approximately 4 bites (first huge sign of nervousness).
Before heading out, I snapped a few awesome pics!!! (This is where you address Luke as Marc, Jr)....
Routinely, Luke will be riding the bus to school. But, for the first day, we ALL went to school with him for a bit (in the car -- we didn't all climb onto the bus -- Ha)! Luke was SILENT on the drive to school (2nd clue on the extent of his nervousness)...
Once arriving, we went to the gym where all of the elementary kiddos meet each day (with their respective classes; it's very organized)...
After the bell rang, the elementary principal said a prayer, and the kiddos with their classes filed to their respective classrooms. The parents and younger siblings all followed (Kate had not yet figured out her brother wasn't coming home with us).
In the classroom, the kindergartners were instructed to hang up their backpacks & find their name by their desks.
Then, Mrs. Burkhart (their teacher) had them get together for a group pic!
THEN, Mrs. Burkhart gave them each a heart sticker -- from the awesome book, "The Kissing Hand"....a delightful book about a raccoon who didn't want to leave the comforts of home to go to school. The heart sticker represents a kiss. During Luke's first year of preschool, when he was having a difficult time adjusting to being away from his Mama, his teacher, Ms. Karri, recommended this book. We read it, seriously, 1-2 times each day he had preschool for 2 years. Now, we're reading it multiple times for kindergarten. Secretly, though reading it is one more step in our getting ready process each morning, I don't mind. I'm guessing when I'm old & gray, I won't at all regret reading it so many times.
My friend, Amanda (whose son is in this kindergarten class), unbeknownst to me, snapped these pics. I'm glad she did! Thanks, Amanda!
At that point, all of the parents & siblings left. We gave one last hug and kiss & darted out! Luke still looked nervous, but we had to do it! Not 5 feet out of the classroom door, Kate asked for her brother. I just picked her up, & we kept moving.
After coffee & coffee cake with the other parents, we headed back home so Marc could get to work!
Some very awesome friends have asked how I did or if I cried. Honestly, yesterday morning, I did not cry. I was close, but I held it together. Luke was SO unbelievably nervous that it made me nervous (Luke comes by his anxiety naturally). I was very concerned about how he was doing. I made plans to run errands with Kate so we would both be distracted. Luke's only going to kindergarten 1/2 days (thankfully). SO, the morning actually went by *fairly* quickly. Admittedly, I was glad when the clock told me it was time for us to go & get him. We did have him go on ahead & ride the bus back to the bus stop on the first day (in other words, I didn't go & pick him up).
SO, when I saw the bus pull up at the stop & he was smiling & waving, I was RELIEVED!!!!!
He was all smiles. He told me about his day!!!! He said he was only a "quarter nervous" about going back!
This morning, there was a 180 degree difference from the first day. He woke up, not appearing nervous at all! We did have him ride the bus to school. He did so completely willingly!!!!
He had a great 2nd day!!!!
I have a feeling that Luke's school career will bring us all 4 in our little Friesen Family completely to our knees, praying to our gracious Heavenly Father, many times. This thing called starting kindergarten is only the beginning! And, that in & of itself is a pretty awesome thing! Honestly, nothing beats it!
Luke's school's theme verse for this year is II Peter 3:18. After I'm finished with this post, I'm going to print it out & post it on our family bulletin board! We'll etch it in our memory as a family! Even Kate, by the end of this school year, will most likely be able to recite at least some of it!
"But grow in the grace & knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and forever! Amen". II Peter 3:18
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