Today was a big day. Thatcher started british school, and Todd started his british case. I guess you could say it's been an all around british day around these parts.
Thatcher woke up SUPER excited to go back to school. He's been off since the beginning of March and has literally been chomping at the bit to get back to school. He got his father's genes with this one. I haven't felt too bad that he hasn't been to school yet because the kids will have to go until the end of July now, with a couple breaks in the next few months. Since their summer will be cut short, I felt like there was no rush getting them started. But, Thatcher would have none of that. He wanted to go!
The excitement lasted the whole morning and all our walk to school, and then when we walked in the gates and he saw all the kids running around with tons of teachers and parents, and his face went to stone. Panic. He looked as white as a ghost and I reached out and grabbed him and pulled him in. I knew exactly how he felt. I had moved around a lot as a kid, averaging every two years. If anyone knows how it feels to be the new kid, it's me. We found the lady who had helped me get him all settled and signed up and she led us out to find his class. She introduced him to a bunch of cute girls in his class, I kinda wished she had introduced him to some boys, but oh well. They all were nice and said hi and welcome to him and then they all lined up with him at the front of the line. I side hugged him and told him that I love him and if he feels alone and scared to remember that Tagg, Tate and I are waiting for him at home and love him. He looked and me and kinda smiled, but I could see that he was deathly afraid. Oh boy. It was so hard to back away and leave him. I walked away but stood to wait and watch for him to go in. And then I took this picture because I forgot to take a before school picture of him. Poor kid. You can see how scared he looks!
I am not going to lie when I say I am glad I had my sunglasses on because I totally started to tear up as I watched him walk into school. We walked home and the whole time I silently prayed that he would be okay, that he would make friends, and that this wouldn't be a horrible experience for him.
The whole day I was nervous for him. I kept hoping and praying that when I picked him up at 3:20 that he would be happy and not crying or miserable. Again, I have been there. I had good experiences being the new kid, and really bad ones too. I knew it could go either way.
Tagg was so bored and lonely without Thatcher here all day. Which was super fun for me because not only did I have to entertain Tate and keep him happy, Tagg was now baby #2 for the day and so it was loads of fun! Tate has also found a new bff here in London...
Yep, himself. He spends A LOT of his time now going up to this mirror we have in our hallway and talking and laughing at himself. It is SO funny to watch.
Finally it was time to pick Thatcher up. We walked down to the school and as all the kids started to come out I kept looking for him and was so anxious to just see his face to read his emotions. He came out of the school and saw us and flashed me a HUGE smile. Success! He had had a good day! Yay! When he came over and I asked him how his day was he said, "GREAT!" Oh, I cannot tell you how relieved I was.
He spent the next little while telling me all about his new school and the similarities and differences between his school in Texas and Barrow Hill. He told me that he really loves his new british school because they have more freedom there, that they have PE and Art every day, and because he made two new friends named Adam and "something that starts with an M". He also thought it was hilarious that they say "shan't and shall" here. He also told me that math and reading are the same in the states and in england, good to know. He was buzzing around all happy and I was SO SO thrilled.
We stopped by the park on the way home and the boys played catch for a bit, and I snapped these pictures because it still boggles my mind where we are...I mean look at the backdrop! So cool.
We headed home sooner than we had planned because even though the sun was out, it was actually freezing cold.
Todd had a great first day at work on his new case. We thought that he would be able to get home relatively early tonight, maybe even for dinner, but he learned half way through the day he had late meetings. They said it was very unusual and not common and so I still have a glimmer of hope that it will be different here with Todd's schedule. That was one of the major perks about coming, Todd should be around a heck of a lot more. The jury is still out for me if that is going to be true, since he only came home to sleep tonight. But I still have faith and hope and all that good stuff because I am good like that. ;) I'll update as our time here continues.
Something that is annoying is that we do not have phone or internet in our flat until April 2nd. So we've been paying a weekly fee to this "hot spot" internet we have available through our building. It is so spotty and goes in and out all the time and it is enough to drive you batty. I can't wait to get our "broadband" as they call it here, installed. Ay.
Oh, and today was the first day I missed TV. Looks like I'll have to start checking out the ol' iTunes to catch up on some favorite shows!
3 Comments »
I'm so glad school went well!!!
ReplyDeleteThis post made me cry. I've been the new girl, too. So glad it went well.
ReplyDeleteOh Rachael, that picture just about broke my heart. I would've choked up too, and he's not even mine! I've been the new kid too, and you're such a sweet Mom to have all the right words to say. I'm so glad it went so well. Hopefully Tagg does just as well! Here's to hoping you see Todd more!
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