First Day of First Grade: Tues, Aug. 16th, 2011

Yesterday, Tuesday, August 16th, 2011 was Bayleigh's first day of the FIRST GRADE!!

It was a little different. We knew that a few changes were being made to the school system and that it might have kinks that needed to be worked out. We also knew that this would be Bayleigh's first year going to school all day everyday. What we didn't know is what kinks would need to be worked out--duh, or how Bayleigh would do being gone all day. I never took into consideration how I would do all day either. The BIGGEST change to the school system is that for the first time ever the kids right here in town have to ride the bus. I was very excited for this change because I went to school here my whole life and, I, like most, was raised by a working parent which meant that we walked to school. No big deal, but it was bad when the weather wasn't great.

So, Bayleigh gets on the bus and we hear her driver saying that they all need to pile in and sit on laps if they have to. UGH....NOOO! So, I ended up calling the school and talking to her principal--love her by the way--and she had called him and he said he was only joking. WHEW! That made me feel better. So then, I go out there when the kids get off the bus and every kid that got off looked SO mad. LOL! Come to find out....there really wasn't enough room on the bus. AND, Makayla informs me that Bayleigh even cried this morning. :'( So I get the scoop and it boiled down to the fact that she was just intimidated by the crowded bus, and it was hot, and it might have been a little overwhelming with all of the newness of everything too. I called her principal again and she didn't get the chance to call me back last night, so I just decided to call her driver and pull her off the route. NO, I am NOT THAT mom that when her child cries she gets her way. So please don't think that. You just have to understand HOW packed this bus was. The kids were miserable and the plan all along was for Bayleigh to only ride the bus for about 2 weeks just to learn how to get on and off in the morning and in the afternoon in case my best friend had to miss a day of work and was unable to take her to or from.

This was Monday night's open house where we meet the teacher and drop off school supplies. This also happened to be the first night of my duties as a PTO board member. It went well!

Bayleigh waiting for the bus! There are 11 kids on her stop alone! Bayleigh getting onto the bus. No, she is not posing. It was a big step for her and I asked her to turn around and smile and I just caught her at a bad moment. :)

Bayleigh getting off the bus. Yes, they don't look happy, but it's because they were not. LOL!

I guess there was another incident at lunch time too...my biggest nightmare--literally! One of the teachers thought Bayleigh was a Kindergartener and and was telling her to go to class and she started crying. Fortunatly, one of my best friends is now working up there and saw her upset and found out what happened. Luckily, she was able to eat and all was well. I think the rest of the day went without incident and she really had fun.

I found myself very upset last night and was comforted by a midnight call from my mom telling me all would be well and that Bayleigh will do wonderful and I would be OK too once we got into a routine. I've spent the last 6 1/2 years at home with Bayleigh. I worried how she would do in school, but never took into consideration the separation anxiety I myself would have. I miss her like crazy, especially during nap time when that was "our" time. Last night I think just knowing she struggled some during the day only added to my anxiety and I couldn't sleep. I am very unsettled again today, but luckily I have the kids to keep me busy. However, here it is nap time again and I am typing through the tears.

I did get a phone call from her principal this morning and the bus problem has already been taken care of. I think I am going to put her back on the bus again tomorrow and try to follow thru with the original plan of putting her on for a couple of weeks to learn the ropes of how it goes. :) Wish us luck.

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