Take Your Kid to Work Day

I know Take Your Kid to Work Day was in July, but every time I see this picture I giggle, so I thought I'd share.

First Day

For weeks I have been weeping because my first baby is going to kindergarten. One day a few weeks ago we were passing the school and he said "I am nervous about going full day because I will miss you... but I will have God."

Today was the first day. He got into his schoolboy uniform all by himself. We all walked down the street to school (including Daddy) and waited outside the door. Apparently when they say 8:00, they mean 8:00. He was the first kid to march in the door, put his backpack and lunchbox in a cubby and head into the classroom. He immediately started playing, and was excited to see a few boys he knew. Then we said goodbye, and he gave us all a hug. The goodbye between Charlie and Atticus was rather poignant, with a hug and a "lip kiss."

I let Atticus have quiet time with me. "It's no fun without Char-Char."

When he got home he gave me the play-by-play including the Pledge of Allegiance, snacks, recess and also said there was a lot of talking. Later, after snack the boys went outside to play. At one point Charlie got mad at Atticus, and got sent to his room. I held him for a minute and said "I know you're tired, you've had a long day."

"I'm NOT tired, it is the worst day ever."

"No," I said. "It's a very important day, your first day of kindergarten."

"Nuh-uh, the most important day is the first day of college."

Brothers

I'll tell you story about how sweet my two oldest boys can be. Don't get me wrong, there is a significant amount of fighting, hitting, wrestling and other things, and there was even some right before said story.

Atticus was told last Sunday if he buckled his own seat belt all week he could have his favorite movie on DVD, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (TMNT 2007). He did, and I got the DVD for him today. He immediately ran outside to show his brother, and within seconds they were both in the house begging to see it. Atticus hopped into the best seat in the house, Daddy's Chair. I cringed as Charlie also approached the chair because this very scenario has ended in fisticuffs on several occasions. Instead, Charlie said "Can I sit with you?" to which Atticus replied "Sure" (pronounced like "shut" without the tee). As they snuggled on the chair, and I was inserting the DVD I said "Charlie, you should thank Atticus. Because of his hard work you get to see this movie."

Charlie: Thank you, Atticus.
Atticus: You're welcome, Char (with a hug and a kiss on the cheek). I love you because you're my big brother.
Charlie: That's right. If you ever can't find Mommy, stick with me.

From the Mouths of Babes Part III

Atticus (age 4) had a fever today, poor baby. When we got home from lunch, he was ready for some Motrin and a nap. As he slowly walked up the stairs he said "Mommy, I feel like an old man instead of a little boy."