Dear Addie,
The hot, humid, North Carolina weather seems to have died down overnight. It's as if someone had flipped a switch leading us right into fall. With this seasonal change at our heels, we've turned another page in your life's story. It's time for school and this year you're a big "first grader" at Oakview Elementary!
In years past I've always been a nervous wreck the weeks leading up to this big day. Playing over every scenario that could possible go wrong in my head, but this year was different.
I was calm. Instead of anxiously awaiting the first day of school, we soaked up every last ounce of summer. I jumped straight into packing 3 lunches like it was nothing. There was no feelings of uncertainty, it just felt for lack of a better word, normal.
Although a welcomed feeling to me, but why?
Every year is the same. We welcome our structure and routine back into our lives with open arms. We become a well oiled machine...or at least mommy does and you all follow suit. It always starts with myself the night before. After you've all been tucked into bed, I clean up dinner, get lunches packed and set out clothes.
Now Clara and Gabe are relatively easy because they wear uniforms, but yours takes a minute to think through. Is this easy to get on and off with potty training, weather appropriate, does it even match?!? I went into your closet grabbed a shirt you've had a while and some shorts from your drawer and then it dawned on me...I didn't have a special first day of school outfit for you? Heck, I didn't even buy any "back to school clothes!"
Kind of a silly thing to spend time thinking about right?! But I realized it went deeper than that, I wasn't worried.
You see Addie ever year I have a brand new outfit for you on the first day of school. A usual thing for most kids I'm sure. If I'm being honest, you could actually care less, because it seems to be more for me presenting you as perfect to the school then anything else. Does it make me feel better that if you happen to have a complete meltdown going in to school - "well at least she looked good!" You actually just put on what I give you. In that regard, we are super blessed!
You see you weren't the new kid this year. Our school was also in its second year, most of the kinks had been worked out by now. Your classroom was the same - just set up a little different. There were familiar friends, as well as a few new faces. We'd met your teachers and TA's, all were AMAZING and ready to hit the ground running!
Even with all this positivity, there's still the reality that you can't communicate to me what goes on at school...that's kinda of scary! But still, I wasn't worried.
But why? Insert my anxiety setting in of of why I'm not worried about being not worried about you! I know Addie, I can be a mess sometimes.
Then it hit me...
You see Addie, you are loved here. This is a safe place, as it should be for all children. You have done what you do best and won over the hearts of so many right here at this school.
I remember last year meeting your teacher Miss Annie and her mentioning she was a bit OCD at our "Meet The Teacher" night...not gonna lie - I was worried. How was she going to manage this "predictably unpredictable" you?
But she did. Really well may I add.
Then there was Miss Brigett. New to her Teacher Assistant role, somewhat uncertain as anyone rightfully so would be. What was she to expect from you? You from her?
But a beautiful bond was made almost effortlessly. I'm pretty sure there's a special place in her heart for her little "diva" princess Addie, being the mama of all boys.
Let us not forget our Miss Tabitha. Who you quickly identified as your own personal singing ray of "Sunshine!" To which you lovingly referred to her as such as well. She is a great comfort to us, that being said we are blessed with her beaming light being one of your Teacher Assistant's again this year.
You see Addie, at a time when maybe we didn't realize it you needed them, all of them. Perhaps I'd like to think maybe there's a part of them that needed you too?
They watched you grow and took part in helping you not only academically, but in maturing towards those all important goals of independence.
While you're making new unique connections in your teachers this year, the comfort you know and love is still very present. All of those wonderful people you trust are still there to help you along the way in this new chapter if need be.
You're not alone.
So no Addie, I wasn't worried.
It's funny we use the phrase "it takes a village" so often in parenting, but you sweet girl made your own village for a time that can have its challenges.
Well done baby girl.
Knock on wood Addie, each year our schooling programs have gone tremendously well. Part of me actually feels guilty, because I know so many in our position that have great challenges. But mostly, I feel blessed. There will always be an adjustment period, but in the end it all works out and we're all where we need to be.
Go get em Addie! Have an "owlsome" first grade year!
Love,
Mom
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