Is there a worse feeling in the world than watching your pale, unsmiling 9 year old drag his little wheeled backpack into a classroom full of strangers? Or sending your 7 year old off with the hope that the "nice kid" will continue to be nice? The first day of school was a frankly unwelcome interruption of what had become a routine of perfect weather and visits to and from cousins, grandparents, and friends.
The boys miss their (in the words of Flash) "lively", crowded school in Texas, and I do too. The process of carving out one's niche can be unpleasant and not without a few sharp jabs. All I can do is pray for lots of "nice kids" and put extra-trashy treats in their lunches until they settle in.
