The first day of school pictures almost didn't happen. I looked everywhere for my camera and couldn't find it anywhere. My cell phone takes really bad pictures, so my only other option was a 35 mm camera (which is, incidentally, out of film). I called Keith asking him if he had any idea where the camera might be and he didn't know. Finally I found it on our kitchen countertop, which is not a place I normally put it. I took a couple of mediocre pictures (Cooper was not cooperating) and then we left 5 minutes later than we should have.
When we pulled into the parking lot, the skies opened up and it started flooding. (Thank you Hurricane Hermine...) So I got to wade in 5 inches of water, back and forth, with, first, an armfull of backpacks and lunchboxes, set them on a bench in a covered walkway leading up to our church. Came back out to the car, grabbed 2 bags of school supplies that never made it to "Meet the Teacher" last week, took them to sit on the bench. Then finally walked back to the car for the boys. Don't worry, the car was only about 10 feet from the end of the covered walkway so I wasn't leaving them to make these treks. But I was wading in water the entire time I was going back and forth. Not to mention trying to juggle an umbrella. And did I mention I was wearing close-toed shoes and jeans, rather than my usual capri pants and flipflops? That made it even better.
Thankfully the drop off went pretty smoothly. And I was headed up to the church office in no time. I was able to get a good amount of work done in a couple of hours and then I headed out to run a few child-free errands. My pantlegs were still wet at this point, by the way. Before I left the church, I peaked in on the boys. I have to tell you that Cooper looked so cute sitting at the table eating his lunch like a big kid. I had to giggle a couple of times while sneaking a peak at him through the window in the door.
After my errands, I swung back by the church and picked up Cooper. I didn't want his teacher to have to suffer through naptime if I could avoid it. That won't be the case every day, but since I was free today, I picked him up and took him home for a nap. I was able to eat my lunch in peace and quiet and even catch up on watching the news and reading a book. Cooper woke up at just the right time for us to head back to the church to pick up Garrett.
Both of the boys had great days. Garrett got to be lineleader for the day which he was thrilled about. He behaved himself and did a good job participating. I think he's the oldest in his class, so I hope he's setting a good example for the other kids. Cooper's teacher said he did great. She couldn't believe that he ate everything I sent for his lunch. What can I say, he's a big eater! She said he did not appreciate the other kids attempting to hold his hand or "baby" him in any way. That doesn't surprise me at all. (He is the youngest in his class, so I'm sure the others think he is a baby.) She sent home his "colorsheet" which was cute. He had scribbled a little with a purple crayon. Now my main concern is when he does have to nap there. On Thursdays, I work a longer day, so I may not be able to pick him up until 2 (which is when school ends) so hopefully their naptime won't be too crazy.
The best part of the day was the staff members who made a quick pass through the hallway where the boys were to see Cooper at "school" and then coming back to report to me how he was doing. They would say "He looks so cute sitting at that table with his paci in his mouth!" It's nice when other people care about your kids.
