September has finally arrived and so has the first day of school for 2021! It’s an exciting year because it’s the first year of Kindergarten for Ariana, it’s the first full year of in-person school for Alistair, and it’s the first time in almost two years that Arin will be attending in-person, and his first year of high school! Lots of excitement around our house today.
Arin is the first one off to catch the school bus because the high school of course starts first. Our town is very small so there is no middle school, just an elementary which includes lower middle school and then a high school which includes a Jr. High. So, even though it’s Arin’s first year as a freshman, he’s still in the same school he was in seventh grade (for the first part of that year, anyway).
We completed all the back to school requirements somehow, and managed to do some back to school shopping. Arin had to visit the school physician so that he can start JV sports, because getting an appointment here takes forever! Alistair had all his shots for kindergarten last year and Ariana will probably need some later on.
The kids of course picked out their own outfits because they love to style themselves. I think Ariana’s socks are extra cute, and I love Alistair’s shades-of-grey style. Ariana had to get a new backpack so Dada picked her out this pretty pink number that comes with a doll attached to it! We also need to pick up a sparkle unicorn lunch bag.
During Kindergarten orientation last week we got a lanyard with a bus tag for Ariana to wear so she will not get lost, it says what bus she’s on (the mini bus!) and also her name and teacher’s name. They also have adults in the hallway guiding the kids to where they need to go. Alistair should be an old pro by now, even though he spent only half the year in school.
For the first day we all piled into the car and drove down the driveway with the kids (not Arin, he was on his own, and missed the bus somehow and had to be driven in), even Arthas came so he could be a part of the fun. Once the time was near that the bus was due to come, we hopped out to get a few fun pictures and I stood with Ariana and Alistair until their mini bus came… and it was much later than expected!
Their bus is extra cute and looks brand new, and they also have a very nice bus driver AND a second adult helper on the bus to keep an eye on everything and everyone. I think that is so brilliant, that way if there is any conflict the driver can focus on the road and not be distracted by screaming little kids, and also the kids get to be supervised. I wish we had a helper on the bus when Arin was little, or when I was little! There were always fights and drama and bullying on the buses, so I’m very happy that won’t be happening now.
After school Ariana came home with a special first day crown that she made in Kindergarten. Last year Alistair came home with crowns several times and they were always so cute, Ariana was very proud of hers so of course we had to get a few pictures of it.
This week is a short week at school and then next week is also a short week, so it’s a nice easy introduction into the back to school life. I’m also happy they don’t start in August, like most schools in Massachusetts and Maine did… it’s nice to have the full month of August as summer and then when September comes to transition into early fall and back to school days. All of the kids had a great first day and are super excited for the rest of the year.
