First Day of School

It's official. The twins have started high school. In fact, as I write this, they should be starting their 2nd period class. This will be a totally different experience for my son than it is for my daughter. She will have the typical day of changing classes, going from one place to another and not really being in the same area for more than 2 classes at a time. DS, on the other hand, is in a science/tech program new to the school this year, and other than lunch and phys. ed., he will be in the same classroom most of the day, although his locker is just about as far away from the bus pick-up/drop-off area as you can get without going upstairs. They have both been nervous the last few days, of course. DS was worried about the bus more than school itself. He's been looking forward to this new tech program and using the laptop each student got and anticipating the iPod Touch they will be getting in the next few days! Shesh! I remember being excited to be allowed to use a scientific calculator finally in Algebra 2 in 11th grade! I guess the kids are right - I am old.... ;-) Anyhow, I digress....DD keeps saying she is afraid some senior is going to "snap her in half" in the hallway. She's a petite little thing and is not happy that her locker is smack-dab in the middle of the set, on the bottom, where she is sure she will be crushed every time she needs in it. She is also not wanting to give up her days of sleeping in and being lazy (typical teenager!). It won't take long, I'm sure, for them to get back in the routine and high school won't seem so scary.

It doesn't seem like that long ago that we were anticipating the first day of kindergarten. Getting on the bus for the first time, letting them not only "go" but allowing someone else to drive them! A friend of ours brought her kids over so they could all get on the bus together and the twins would have familiar faces on their first bus ride. They were so excited! The first day of 1st grade was memorable in that DD came home stinking mad. They started a new school after our move, and at open house, the teacher had told them they would have homework every night. First day comes and no homework. DD was so mad! Of course now, her attitude towards homework is a little different! haha We had a couple of first days of school in the elementary years that were delayed by fog. First day of junior high brought back bus rides and a building with 2 floors. Now, we're at high school, and it's only 4 more years and we'll be looking at college. I think I'll need every bit of that time to get used to THAT idea!

It's harder with twins, I thnk. I'm sending both my oldest and my youngest off at the same time. I just need to remember that just as much as God is with me, He is with them, too. Sometimes I forget that, and I need reminded of it often. I try not to be a "helicopter" parent, although I do tend to be the "Mother Hen" type. I want to know where they are, what they are doing, are they safe, being smart, etc. I pray that over the next few months and years, God will remind me that it is more important that He is with them, not me, and I need to start letting go.