The day finally arrived when we sent ALL FOUR kids off to school:-) It hard to believe we have a third grader and three kindergartners! I must say, it is totally different sending off your youngest child(ren) than your oldest...maybe because I didn't really have time to dwell on it with Brendan as I had 3-3 year olds at home still to keep me busy. Darran actually got the "first day" duties as they started school on a Monday, the one day a week that I work. Everyone did great! Mom and Dad went off to work, so we didn't have time to feel the full impact. Come Tuesday, I got to experience a quiet house for the first time ever. I won't lie and say it was terrible-lol! I did enjoy the silence and didn't even turn on the radio or TV. By Wednesday though I was spending a lot of time in disbelief that our triplets were kindergartners and that Brendan is half way through elementary school.
For those that don't know, we decided to keep Emma, Owen and Claire in the same classroom this year. When we originally made the decision, there were only two kindergarten classes and we just couldn't see putting one in his/her own class their very first year of school. Of course, we found out later that a third classroom was being added because of the number of incoming kindergartners and we had to rethink our decision. Those who know me well, know I (we) didn't take this decision lightly. I read what the "experts" say, talked to other parents of multiples and talked to the kids. Of course, triplets are a bit different than "just" twins, which is what most of the experts discuss and what most of my friends have. Three is just a different dynamic. Then add in the sexes of the three and that can change everything. Blah, blah, blah....too much sometimes! In the end, Darran and I just felt strongly that coupled with the right teacher the kids would thrive together. So far we are right! We have been blessed with a wonderful teacher (who has 4 boys of her own) who recognizes their need to be independent of each other. Mrs. Creasy allowed them to get settled in the first couple of weeks, having each other as a safety net, and gradually helped them learn to branch out and make new friends. Seeing how different they were in preschool, I hoped they would continue their own path once they hit elementary school. I have to admit that as long as they continue to each grow without interfering in the others progress or their own, it is so much easier having them in the same classroom! One teacher to help out, one class party, one set of birthday treats, one set of rules and homework and expectations....in addition to Brendan's of course! Our biggest challenge will be the competition between them, especially Emma and Owen!
Ah, Miss Independent. In the beginning, Emma would play by herself before playing with Claire or Owen at school, simply out of principle. She has slowly realized that it is okay to actually be seen with them every now and then:-) Emma loves learning and can't get enough, especially of reading. She has had to learn that she can't always be the leader, which although not easy has been good for her. I see myself in her, literally and figuratively, every day!
Owen is hilarious. He has such a big heart. We worried that he might be a bit disruptive with all his energy but we needn't have worried. He takes school very seriously (so far!) and was terrified in the beginning that he would get a "think paper!" lol. He is finally finding friends his own age (he would rather play with the older kids) and is settling in. He, too, loves learning and showing off his reading skills.
Claire is truly the child that has changed the most over the last year. She is gaining confidence and independence that I continue to be amazed by. She used to be clingy and shy but no more! She is incredibly social and loves school. She runs in the door to school every morning with a smile on her face. She still misses naps some days but all-in-all is making the transition wonderfully!
Brendan- a third grader! Wow! Brendan has a wonderful teacher too, who actually looped up from second grade to third grade. This means that we are lucky enough to have Mrs. Roop for two years in a row. She really "gets" Brendan and is really helping him gain confidence, which is just about his only flaw:-) Well, at school anyway! He also has all his best friends in this class and it is great that he gets another year in the classroom with them to solidify those relationships. I couldn't ask for better friends for him. Really a good group of kids.
So far, I haven't really found all this "free" time I thought I'd have! We are trying to settle in to a routine but this first month and a half of school has been exhausting! Stay tuned for more details......
