Zoe in Oz: ...And Fast

"I've got it, Mom." Roman said at drop off, proving that he's as diplomatic as he is independent.

And fast. Man, how is Baby Roman almost 5?! And when do I stop calling him that?

So, I stopped helicoptering and left him with the charming Mrs. Saunders on day 1 of pre-K, after this one last picture.

Yep, lots of changes this week, especially versus last year.

There are the basics - rooms, procedures, new things for me to forget, etc. - but the experience is just...different. The start of the day is a perfect example; Roman's bull-by-the-horns approach isn't that surprising; what is surprising is Ben's new-found cling.

Last year, he barely let the car slow before he bolted out and raced alone to his classroom. And I'm sure we'll get back there, but so far he's pretty apprehensive. For him to tell it: "Mom, why do I have to go to first grade? I was so good at Kindergarten..."

I also think, now that he knows how to tell time, he's pretty bothered that he'll be there for seven whole hours.

And who can blame him? I haven't committed to something for seven straight hours since... ummm... well... whenever it was, I'll bet it made me grumpy.

Still, here he is, happily clinging to his happy mother. I mean, who am I to complain that he doesn't want to leave my side? That'll come too soon anyway.

A midday difference: lunch lady duty is more frequent...and more serious. On day 1, I had the unsavory job of marching a crying second grader to the principal's office. Dreadful all around (it was very "Green Mile"), but I guess that's what you get for a Catholic cafeteria F bomb.

Another difference, this one at the end of each day: man, they're fast. Last year, they still had training wheels on their bikes, so they'd ride home as I walked. Now I have to literally sprint to keep up with them. And, no I still can't keep up. Here's my usual view as I do the P.E. teacher powerwalk to catch up.