Back to School

Years ago I read about a tradition many families do for a back to school feast- some type of special meal to celebrate starting a new school year. Since we officially started real school this year, Ben and I decided to start this tradition in our family. Since we were just getting back from vacation (and I didn't want to spend a ton of money) we kept things fairly simple, but we still wanted to make it special, a little different from our usual family dinner. I made crowns for the boys to wear (Chase loved his, Hudson was not quite so sure) and a back-to-school banner for our backdrop. 

 For our menu, I wanted it to feel like a party, so we decided on kabobs! They always feel festive to me. I cut up and marinated chicken, zucchini, red onion, grape tomatoes, bell pepper and pineapple and Ben grilled the skewers. I made a tomato-bread salad, that I loved (turns out I was the only one). We finished off with fresh peach pie, made from peaches from our trees, and vanilla ice cream. It was a delicious meal!

After dinner (and baths and haircuts), Ben gave Chase a special father's blessing. Chase was very reverent. Afterwards, Ben asked Hudson if he would like one too. Hudson said, "Yes, but only if mommy does mine." We explained it didn't work that way, and then Hudson said, "Okay dad, but make it short, okay?"

Then it was the first day of school! He was so excited to go! He wore his brand new Nike's and the shirt he's been saving all summer for the first day of school. I walked to school with him, he held my hand the whole way, and I couldn't believe my baby was heading off into the world!

 He got Mrs. Miller in the morning kindergarten class- which is just what we were hoping for! He has his little friends Ella, Luca and Paisley in his class. In fact, on the second day (when parents didn't stay) Chase and Paisley nervously walked into the school together, holding hands, and my heart about burst! I know he will make a whole slew of new friends, but I'm so glad he has a few little friends to start with!

We are "carpooling" with Luca. I walk the boys to school in the mornings and Luca's mom picks them up. We both only have room for one extra kid in our cars, so it worked out perfect for us. Walking to school in the mornings has been fun. We live about one mile from the school, so it's totally doable. We are going to try to do it every day until the weather gets bad.

So far my reports from school (after just one week) is that he's working on cutting with scissors (something I never do with him at home), writing his name (he's learning to turn his "s" around) and he loves recess, computers and library!

So far Hudson seems to really enjoy his one-on-one time with mom while Chase has been in school (although sadly, life has been so busy this special time has mostly been running errands or Hudson watching a screen while mommy was busy with other stuff. This should start getting better!) However, Hudson is always very excited when his brother gets home from school! Hudson will start our little co-op preschool next week.

We are doing this thing! Real life with a kid in school! Our life suddenly feels so structured! We started Chase doing a job chart each morning before school to work on earning a little allowance. His jobs are making his bed, cleaning up his room, emptying the garbages, and setting the table. If he gets all his "x's" each day he gets a dollar at the end of the week. So far he's been very motivated. Right now I remind him to get his chores done, but if he whines about doing them he doesn't get a x. We are going to work up to him remembering to do it all on his own each day. It feels so good to have predictable, happy help with cleaning up in the morning! I think school is going to be great this year!