School Days

Well, it's that time of year again. The kids have been so excited to head back to school. Our first week included a call from the school nurse because Jet had a bloody nose and a visit to the Principal's office for Lexa. Yes, I said the Principal's office! I guess she was called in to be a witness because 2 of her friends were fighting. I don't really understand all of the dynamics of that visit but Lexa came home and proudly told me about it. Other than those couple of bumps in the road, school seems to be great.

I can't believe that Lexa is in 5th grade! She asked me about shaving her legs the other day. I guess one of her friends started shaving over the summer. I wasn't really sure where the conversation was going until she told me that she thought her leg hair was cool looking and that she would hate to have to shave all the time. Then she changed the subject. (Whoa! I dodged that bullet this time but I'm sure it will come up again in the future!)

Jet is one happy 2nd grader because his teacher from last year moved to 2nd grade and he'll have her again this year. I am really glad about that. He has a hard time adjusting to changes. On the way to school that first day, I was remembering his growing pains from 1st grade. Getting used to the full day schedule wasn't easy for him. I think I've always been more protective of Jet because he isn't as outgoing as Lexa is. She can fend for herself in most any situation but Jet is sensitive and his feelings get hurt easily. He also gets nervous and cries more than Lexa did at his age.

All of those memories from last year were flooding my mind when I pulled up to the school. I was about to get out and walk Jet to his class when he jumped out of the car and headed off without me! All of my mental pictures of the two of us walking hand in hand and of me squeezing him tight and kissing his cheek before he went into class suddenly disappeared. It was like popping a bubble.

I sat in the car watching my kids walk into the school and my eyes burned with tears. They don't need me to walk them in anymore. They are growing up so fast. I want to be wherever they are and protect them from everything bad. But I can feel them pulling away from me. They don't seem afraid of this big scary world that we live in. I'm glad for that. I know they are strong and I'm amazed at how confident they are. But I wish I could go back to yesterday and admire their tiny toes and their peach fuzz hair again. I guess I have some growing pains of my own these days.