Last Thursday, Niko started his first day as a 4th grader at a new school and in a new city.
A week prior, we got to see the school for the first time and on the following Tuesday, we got to meet the teacher. Both got the thumbs up from us and Niko, and he was excited to start on Thursday.
On that first day, he woke up three times in the middle of the night for a quick pee and every time, I told him, we still have several hours before we need be alert. As I was opening the door at 6:15 am on Thursday, he must’ve heard me (it did take him about 5 minutes to get out of bed and make his way downstairs). He grabbed his iPad, and requested milk and a fried egg and that is something I can do easily for him. The next night, he only woke up once.
Unlike with his old school, we aren’t able to go in in the mornings and wait with him till the bell rings and we can’t walk him into the school either. Fine for us, as that means, we don’t have to get super dressed!
Nina and I had to get him some new clothes, and fish out his backpack from his closet and his lunch-bag from the “mudroom” coat closet. Yeah, we live in a very cold city where it will snow! We had to wake him up early last week to prepare for school – he has been going to sleep around 7:30 and sleeping till around 8 or 8:30, and sometimes even later. That means, Nina and I have to wake up early as well. For me, I can do easily, but I don’t like it. For Nina, she is not a morning person to start and it also takes her longer to fall asleep.
For the first couple of mornings and afternoons, it will be both of us doing the drop-off and pick-up! Then, it will be me in the mornings and Nina in the afternoons. For me, I am also planning on visiting the fitness center we joined last month after I drop him off so I can get my walking in.
The drop-offs have been easy as it only takes a few minutes once the school opens up, so we do have to wait if we arrive before 7:20 am.
The pick-ups have actually been easy as they scan a QR code and that alert goes to the gym where Niko is waiting, and once he hears or sees his name, he can leave the gym and jump in the car – don’t worry, we stop! Not like this old school where everybody comes out and it’s a free for all!
I am going to miss him throughout the day, but I will not miss the noise. iPad screaming and Nintendo Switch blasting, and Niko (himself) loud!
