Home stretch

As I type this, it is Thursday evening and we're heading into our fifth day of first grade. It is a "we" thing, is it not? Clearly, we are all feeling the weight and emotion of every day. When does that end? I'm not sure, but this week has been a group effort.

The first day went fine, as previously described, and each day has gone a little bit better than the one before. This makes us feel like Anna is on a good trajectory. If every day is a bit easier and each recess a little happier, then surely we will feel more at ease in the next couple of weeks.

And the weather will be better soon. Chicago has had a very cool summer -- until this week. It's been a long, hot, sticky week in these parts. Schools without air conditioning and 95 degree heat are no fun for little ones. Anna told us that the classes got to take turns reading in the teachers lounge because it's air conditioned. It took a lot of restraint not to inform her of the brutal Missouri heat we endured each summer growing up -- a heat that lasted far longer than this short blip. We should have normal weather soon here, in fact, we are expected to have a high of 75 degrees starting next Monday. This week may not have been fun, but at least it was short.

Prying information out of her each day is difficult. Who sits by you in class? I don't remember... What did you do before recess? Um... I don't remember. Who did you sit by at lunch? That one she actually remembers. I'm guessing it's easier to recall who you sit next to when you're busy taking note of who is given dessert each day and who is not (Anna). Lest anyone believe I am a monster, it should be known that I'm planning on having something sweet in her lunchbox on Fridays.

I do know that she played by herself during recess the first day. But she has since played with a few friends each day. And she had to be demoted on the behavior chart on Wednesday because she punched her friend. Apparently, he was teasing her that the BOYS WIN, BOYS WIN, BOYS WIN, in some game they were playing. Of course, her punch is about as as strong as a gnat, but mess with the bull and you'll get the horns.

She and the friend had to go to the back of the room and think about their behavior. I find this hilarious because it's very unusual behavior for her, but she knows this boy pretty well and I think she just did something without thinking. Of course, we had to talk to her about it, but I don't think either one of them actually thought it was a big deal. Honestly, there was some part of me that thought, okay, well at least she's playing with one of her friends today. That's good!

Anna is exhausted. After long hot days, some more playing outside when she gets home, soccer practice, and anything else, she is just drained. Mike had to wake her up this morning and even Abe slept late. This week has been so tiring. As our schedule and patterns firm up and we get used to this new world, I think it will all be fine. But we are looking forward to vegging out a bit this weekend.

Cartoons, here we come.