Just a mom

Today feels strange.  It's the first day of school, and I'm at home instead of in my classroom.  I'm not reassuring parents that their child will be fine and that we're going to have a great year.  Instead, I found myself in a foreign classroom, nervous about walking Mia into a new school where she's just another student, not "Leticia's daughter".  Because, after all, at Mia's new school, I'm just a mom.  I'm not a teacher in good standing, just voted Teacher of the Year by my peers.  Nope.  I'm just a nervous mom dropping her first grader off for the first day of school.

The past two weeks building up to today have been full of anxiety for me as I've realized my unimportance in the school.  The hardest part has been my ignorance of the first grade teachers at the new school, Mittlestadt.  The only teacher I even know much about it Mrs. Parsons.  She knows my mother, and Mia being in her class would be great for two reasons:  1)  Mrs. Parsons has an excellent reputation and   2)  I like the idea of Mia being with someone both my mother and I know.  Of course, I don't have the relationship with the principal like I use to, and have really no influence over who Mia may or may not have as a teacher.  Scary.

The class lists were posted on the windows to the school yesterday,so I drove up and checked it out.  Mia was assigned to Mrs. Parsons and Mrs. Pruski's class!   I was so excited, I felt tears building up in my eyes.  It felt like such a relief to know that Mia was going to have great teachers!  Mrs. Pruski and Mrs. Parsons job share, and they're a mother/daughter team!  I felt like it just couldn't get any better. 

This morning, I drove Mia to school and walked her to her classroom.  Practically every parent does this at Mittlestadt since there isn't a Meet the Teacher night, and most kids have no idea where to go.  When we reached the classroom, Mia was beaming and couldn't wait to go in.  As soon as we got to the door, we saw Logan.  He was in her kindergarten class at her last school!  Because of his mom's school transfer (she and I taught together last year), he is now at Mittlestadt!  Mia quickly took a seat next to him, happy to have a friend.  Then, we heard, "Oh my gosh!  Mia!!! Where have you been?!!!"  We looked up to see Morgan.  Morgan and Mia went to the same home daycare from infancy until preschool.  Then, they went to preschool together and were only apart for kinder.  Now they're back together again!!!  They hugged and Mia glowed!

Mrs. Parsons introduced herself to Mia and told her all about how she has known her grandmother for many years.  Mia was very impressed, and the girl that is normally quiet and reserved around teachers at school was more talkative than I had ever expected!  All of my anxiety washed away.  I said a quick goodbye and headed out the door.  She never even looked up to see me go. 

My daughter looked more confident and secure than ever today.  Graham is loving the special "mommy time" that he had to share with Mia all summer, and I'm not going to miss a moment of Ross's development.  Being "just a mom" is suddenly feeling "just right" to me!

 Mia posing in front of her new school!

The Amazing Mrs. Parsons!

Mia and her friends!

 Teacher Survival Kit

That's What Family's For

When you think about an entire family being sick, there's a joke that the biggest baby out of all will be....the husband.  It's funny, a little mean, but usually true.  This past weekend, though, Jeremy took sickness by the reigns.

I was at my friend's bridal shower / cooking class at Central Market.  The only person I knew at the shower was Monica, the bride.  We had only been cooking for about an hour when I started to feel symptoms of what I thought was low blood sugar.  I tried to play it cool, but it was obvious to people around me that I wasn't feeling well.  The last thing I wanted, though, was to be the drama queen at the party.  I went to the restroom to compose myself when I suddenly found myself kneeling in front of the toilet.  Ugh! 

Once I got up, I felt absolutely fine.  I washed up and rejoined the party.  About 15 minutes later, though, my symptoms hit me again.  I felt like I wanted to cry, roll up in a ball, and pass out.  I went into the hallway and called my mother-in-law, Sally, who lives a whole lot closer to Central Market than I do.  I was hoping she could pick me up.  After three tries...no answer.  I called Jeremy to update him, and he informed me that Mia was throwing up, and Ross had diarrhea.    Oh no!This wasn't blood sugar!  I obviously had some sort of stomach bug! 

I immediately knew I had to get out of there before I got every single person in the room sick.  I said a very quick goodbye, and walked to my car at the back of the parking lot.  I got in and called Sally one last time.  Even if she wasn't home, I was going to drive to her house, let myself in, and pass out in the guest room.    She answered, but before I could completely explain what was going on, I had to throw open my car door and "shower" the parking lot.  I was absolutely embarrassed, but felt too awful to fully care.  I apologized to Sally between heaves, and hung up on her.  Then, just as before, I felt better.  When I called Sally again, she offered to let me spend the night, or drive me home. I chose the latter.  I drove to Sally's house where she was waiting with a hair clip for me, a wet washcloth, and a lined bucket for the drive home.

When we pulled up to the house, all I could think about was changing and passing out.  Jeremy was upstairs with Mia, and looked pretty tired. I was impressed that he hadn't called me to tell me the kids were sick.  He was going to deal with it solo.  I wanted to help out, but stood in the living room too weak to go upstairs.  Luckily, Sally volunteered to sleep with Mia to take care of her, and Jeremy slept on the couch to avoid my germs and dealt with Ross throughout the night. 

The next day was a lazy day of recovery for everyone.  Sally was sick by Tuesday, but Jeremy is still standing strong.  Let's hope it stays that way!

Thank you so much, Sally and Jer!