First day of Kindergarten

Its a bit after 10am..Thomas has been in school for almost 2hrs now!

We both did fine this morning! I cried when I got back to my car (and a little while I walked him to his classroom..I saw my friend Mary crying walking out of school ~ that started my tears!).

Thomas put his lunch in his cubby, his bookbag on the hook and sat in his chair to start coloring (his absolute favorite thing to do)! I took one more picture, gave him a kiss, chatted w/his teacher for a minute and than left. As I walked out I picked up a poem that his teacher had left for the parents (next to a box of tissue)...I will share the poem (but change the "her" to "him")

He started school this morning

And he seemed so very small

As I walked there beside him

in the Kindergarten hall

And as he took his place beside

the others in the class,

I realized how all too soon

Those first few years can pass.

Remembering, I saw him as

He first learned how to walk.

The words that we alone made out

When he began to talk

This little boy so much absorbed

In learning how to write.

It seems as though he must have grown

To boyhood overnight

My eyes were blurred by hastily

I brushed the tears away

Lest by some word or sign of mine

I mar his first big day.

Oh how I longed to stay with him

And keep him by the hand

To lead him through the places

that he couldn't understand

And something closely kin to fear

Was mingled with my pride

I knew he would no longer be

A baby by my side

But he must have his chance to live,

To work his problems out,

The privilege to grow and learn

What life is all about.

And I must share my little boy

With friends and work and play;

He's not a baby anymore-

He's in Kindergarten today!

Can't stop crying....

Nope, not Thomas ~ he's fine! ME!

I actually have been holding it together quite well. Today we went to the science center and a tour of the huge Mather ship, we went to both open houses, ate some subway, I cut the grass while the boys played. We came in they took their showers, had a snack and chilled for a bit. I laid out their school clothes, made sure bookbags were ready and lunch bags were ready to be packed in the morning!

Teeth brushed, prayers said and tucked them into bed. As I stood by their door, I thought about what an awesome summer we had. No big vacations....just alot of FUN! Hanging out together, taking little day trips, park visits, zoo (of course) and lots of swimming!

Now summer vacation is over and although I'm sad I am excited for the school year for my boys! New experiences, new friends, some homework, some fun and of course, weekend bonding! I think about next summer and hope that its just as fun as this summer! I know as long as I have my little guys..it will be!

So, now that they are in their rooms, winding down and getting ready to fall asleep and I think about tomorrow. Jonathan is in 6th grade! These past 12yrs have flown by. I can remember taking him to school on his 1st day of Kindergarten. He was fine...I cried like a baby all the way home! I will have a tear in my eye when I drop him off at school tomorrow ~ not because I'm sad ~but because of how proud I am of him. He really is a spectacular guy...I'm telling you when I had my kids I hit the jackpot. My note to Jonathan ~ you have made me so proud these past 12yrs...you are an amazing Son, Brother, Grandson, Nephew, Cousin and Friend! I am so excited to see what the future holds for you...I LOVE YOU more than words can say!

I start crying when I think of walking out of Thomas' classroom and leaving him there to fend for himself (I know he's technically not by himself..but you know what I mean). I start crying thinking about how empty the house will be for 8hrs each day. He's my little buddy and I'm going to miss him. Jonathan is older and is quite independent. Thomas has always been by my side ~ I can't believe my little buddy is in school all day. Whew..I'm a mess right now!

It was hard leaving Thomas for 2.5hrs, 4days a week.....8hrs is a very long day!

(a little poem I found online)

First day of school for my little boys, as they climb up the steps and are feeling the joy

I watch as the school bus drives up the street, I head to the house as I shuffle my feet

It seems only yesterday they brought him to me wrapped in a blue blanket, the feeling of glee

He's now 5yrs old,(Jon is 12) how i dreaded this day, they would have to leave mommy to cry and I may

They are such good boys and they will do fine.

My day will be lonely with them on my mind

At 4pm the bus pulls up and I watch them step off, wave and smile my way

I missed them so much but I don't let them know

They had so much fun and I have to let them go

Getting ready for Kindergarten

I can not believe we are a few days away from starting Kindergarten! We have his uniforms bought and new shoes waiting...I have not had him try anything on (yet). We've had them sitting in his closet for weeks now ~ I just can't myself to have Thomas put them on. Something in thinks that the longer I wait than it just wont happen! yeah right!
Uniforms....... check
school shoes... check
hair cut. ... check
new bookbag.... check
lunch bag... check
school inservice check
FM system... check
tennis balls.. check (another teacher is bringing them in for the bottoms of all
the little chairs in Thomas' classroom)

Thomas is READY! I, on other hand, am not!

I am nervous thinking about...

leaving him for almost 8hrs.

Thomas NOT speaking up for himself

what if he misses something the teacher says?

if someone is mean to him

swim class in the Spring (still thinking about what I'm going to do with
that..i don't want him to miss out on fun with his class)

something, anything happening that I can NOT control!

Hopefully they wont mind me sitting outside the classroom window..I promise ~ I won't interrupt! lol

I have to add that I love this school. They have been AMAZING when it comes to accomodating Thomas. The principal is hands on and is already quite familiar with Thomas. His teacher is WONDERFUL! I couldn't have asked for anyone better! He is a lucky guy! Did I mention that there were almost 10 different faculty members at the in-service? We are very fortunate :-)

Thomas starts school on Wednesday (half of the class goes all day)..he is off on Thursday (the other half attends) and Friday is the first full day of school for the whole class! His teacher and I spoke about it and agreed that I will join the class Friday morning and talk (a little) about Thomas' ears and what they do, Answer any questions and than leave.

My little guy is becoming independent! It breaks my heart that I can't keep him in a bubble right next to me and protect him from anything and everything..but that's not reality!

He is pumped and so excited. He asked me a few questions "How am I going to make friends?" , "what happens if I have to go to the bathroom?".."will you be there to pick me up?". Although I am nervous and anxious I don't let any of that known to Thomas. As far as he knows..I am just as excited about kindergarten as he is!

Maybe today will be the day that he tries on his uniforms? maybe!

FAD 2011

Thomas and Senator Sherrod Brown...right after Thomas gave him one of his All-Star cards!

Thomas waiting for our next meeting (I think with Bob Gibbs)

Most of the children's hospital patients and some siblings at the Monday night festivities.

I haven't blogged in a few weeks. I have to start off by saying that FAD was a success! We met with our legislatures and had an excellent two days. Thomas loved flying...even though our flight in was a little bumpy ~ Thomas loved it! There was ALOT of walking...thank goodness that we had our stroller ~ not sure if Thomas could have taken all of it. We were advocating for the importance of CHGME (children's hospital graduate medical education program) NOT to cut funding and medicaid...how important it is to both patients and children's hospitals.
We arrived a few minutes late for the family briefing ... but we were still able to enjoy the presentations and Thomas got to meet Miranda Cosgrove (I-Carly). We had a few hours to relax and enjoy DC...my Aunt and Uncle drove in from VA to visit with us ~ it was great! That evening NACH (National Association of Children's Hospitals) put on a great family celebration that was very kid friendly. Dancing, eating, each child got to pick out a very nice toy, caricatures, ice cream and face painting. We got back to the room, washed up and went right to bed.
Tuesday morning we were up early and after breakfast there was a full day of capital hill meetings! From 930 am til 3pm we were meeting and talking with our Ohio legislatures. It was intense but so rewarding and the experience itself was priceless. I don't think Thomas realized how important his story was (is). I'm keeping a journal for him so he can enjoy it when he gets older...along with all of the malings he has received from some of the politicians we met with.
I forgot to mention the local media attention .... the Sunday before we left we had 3 different local news stations interested in our story. They came to the house and interviewed both Thomas and myself and took alot of video of us playing.
Never did I think, 5yrs ago, that we would have had all of these unbelievable opportunities!
Now...we are 10 days away from the first day of school! Its almost dinner time so I'll have to blog about that later!