So why do I choose to update my blog today? Because for the first time in 3 years since we've moved here the house is silent. So silent that I can hear my own breath and hear the crickets outside, and the light breeze brushing the leaves on the trees. And why you may ask is it so quiet? Because today is Ben and Ollie's first day of school! My babies are now 5 years old and they are in SCHOOL!
Ben on the left Ollie on the right, on the way out the door for the first day of school!
How the time has flown and how it hasn't if that makes any sense. It's been five years of challenges we thought we could never over come being parents of multiples, and yet we have over come them, and our kids are still healthy and alive, and most importantly happy, so I think that we did ok, and it felt like the preschool years of insanity would never end, but suddenly, it just has.
Michael and I stayed up a bit late last night prepping their stuff for school today and talking about this transition in their lives. We talked about how good it would be to have quiet in the house for a few hours so we could get things done, and then we got emotional. It hit us. They're growing up. This is it. It's not just the start of school, it's the start of a new chapter in their lives. The days of needing mommy and daddy every second of every day, the little arms and legs that wrap themselves around us so sweetly when we hug them, because we're their universe, the sweet little lull of their voices (when they're not screaming at you), the tender and delicate little kisses, and sweet little flutter of their long lashes on those tiny little faces in which we can see ourselves and all of their hopes and dreams yet to be realized....We're starting the journey of saying good bye to those preschool years, because as of now, we know the years will just fly by, and Ben and Ollie will grow up faster than we can blink, and they will no longer be this little and sweet and they will no longer want to cling to us and give us hugs and kisses all the time. Don't get me wrong. We welcome the years ahead and we can't wait to watch them grow up, but as all parents know, this is the time you will never get back. Once they grow up, they grow up. It's a bittersweet transition.
Oliver in the Robot shirt, and Ben still waking up this morning before the start of school
Oliver was the first one to get up this morning. He was up bright and early at 6:30 AM and ready for school. He was so excited to get there and learn new things. Benjamin slept in. I got Michael and Oliver to wake him up and bring him downstairs. He was so sleepy and out of it. It was too funny. When I asked him if he was ready for school, he said he didn't want to go because they wouldn't have the toys he liked to play with there. I assured him there would be some toys and that he was going to have so much fun with all of his friends. It didn't really seem to change his mind about school though. Once the boys had breakfast, the morning just flew by, and before I knew it, they were dressed, backpacks on and ready to go!
Ollie and Ben's favorite breakfast sandwiches
It all happened so quickly. Michael and I each took a twin, and walked the short walk to school. The morning was cool and foggy, and it was emotional at the same time. I couldn't believe I was walking them to their first day of school. We walked through the front doors of the school, and walked them right to their primary class. We did our best to just get them settled quickly amongst the slight chaos of the other parents and children dancing around in the hallways trying to do the same thing. Oliver found his name easily on his coat hook and hanged his backpack and ran right in. Ben held my hand tightly and asked me to walk him in. I watched Ben and Ollie mingle with their friends briefly and then pick up some ABC books sitting around. It was then that I had to fight back the tears. "This is it", I said to myself. "Here we go". Amongst the chaos of getting them settled, Michael and I didn't get out fast enough and we got stuck in the classroom for the National Anthem. We said goodbye quickly, and their teacher asked all the remaining parents very nicely to leave. Ben started crying when I said goodbye and clung to my leg all the way to the door. Oliver said very bravely, "Bye Mom, I'll miss you!", but he didn't cry. Mrs. Taylor (their substitute teacher), pulled Bennie gently off of me, and then Michael and I were down the hall quickly, and out the front doors of the school in less than a blink of an eye.
Oliver in his Primary classroom
Ben and his best friend Hunter in their Primary class
So, Michael and I have planned a bike ride today. We've never had a bike ride together, so it will be fun I would imagine. Even that feels odd to do. I feel like I shouldn't leave the house, but my neighbor (whose kids have already been in school) told me not to worry, that it will be fine and to just go, and I know it will be. I know it's all going to be ok. We've had our challenges raising multiples, but I would like to think that we've always done the right thing in the end for Ben and Ollie, and when I dropped them off at school today, I thought to myself, we did alright. I think we gave them the right tools in life so far to be alright and what amazing little boys they are....
My two brave little boys in their primary class and supporting eachother on their first day of school
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