Saying goodbyes

We have some changes coming up this fall, the largest being a change in preschool.  Yikes!  Accordingly, this week is the last week with their current teacher and classmates.  Since they only attend two half days per week, yesterday was their official next-to-last day.  Yesterday was only significant because the last day is the end-of-summer bash, and it will be virtually impossible for them to be retrospective when there are water slides to conquer. 

Lauren is especially aware that there is some finality about this week.  "This is our last week?"  "This is our last day with Ms. B?" 

We have assured them that they will continue to see their friends at other activities. 

Last year, Gracie attended two days per week at the new school (in addition to their usual preschool) (looong story), and she has been giving Lauren the scoop on the new place. 

Overall, this week is very bittersweet.  Although they are really excited about the new adventure, they are sad to leave their original school behind.  Luckily, the end-of-summer bash should take the sting out of the farewell. 

In other back to school news, I made the annual trek for school supplies this past weekend, and our car is now officially loaded with wipes, paper towels, soap, Ziploc bags, etc.  I normally haul all of these items upstairs for a photo (because I am usually shocked by the number of items needed), as seen here and here.  This year I do not have the energy needed to unload/reload.  You'll take my word that it is a LOT of items?  Yes?  In fact, while at Wal-Mart, the mom in front of me surveyed the items on the conveyor belt and asked, "How many children do you have????" 

"Two.  Well, three, but only two that are going to school." 

I suppose when Baby George begins his academic career we'll just order a pallet of paper towels (to cover all three kids) and have it shipped to the school. 

Finally, we have a meet-the-teacher event at the new place later this week.  Lauren has confused meet-the-teacher with "tea party," and keeps asking when the tea party is.  I am trying to manage her expectations to prevent an immediate disappointment when she realizes life isn't all about tea parties at the new place.  It is bad enough that the meet-the-teacher event has to follow in the water slide shoes of the old place; a misunderstanding about a tea party could start this relationship off on the wrong foot.