Middle School Debut

We have had a mile stone in our house this week, Caleb started Middle School. He is a Bronco. He had a nervousness about the idea of middle school all summer, wasn't embracing it at all, didn't even want to talk about it. However like it or not the day was approaching open house was scheduled for five days before the start of the year and there was no change in his attitude towards it. I went into open house optimistic and I had my game face on I was ready until we walked through those gym doors. Controlled Chaos... Ranging hormonal teens, parents, and a wall of names. It was like find where's Waldo minus the red shirt. Finally we locate his name so we head into the gym to get a name tag. Once we are seated I am looking around, taking it all in. Taking in the laughter, shatter, the excitement and the fear. The roaring sound of now 6th graders was LOUD but it sure put a smile on your face.

Once the official 6th graders left for homeroom to meet their teachers and listen to the rules us parents were left for an hour conversation that was terrifying on so many levels. They talked about failure, peer pressure, getting behind, getting a yellow or pink card. (Geesh are we in kindergarten still?? I am having flash backs.) It was alot to take in, as I took notes and looked around the room I was feeling young, defeated, and little hopeless. I took a deep breath and kept going. They herded us like cattle to the 6th grade wing to find our off spring, meet the teachers & spend lots of money in an hour.

I can honestly say one of us left not liking middle school and it wasn't Caleb...It was ME. I wanted nothing to do with anymore my excitement had turned to anxiety & stress and fear of what this year was really going to be like. It sounded like No fun, keeping up with teachers, assignments, homework, projects, lockers, little girls, lunch money and much more. However like it or not Monday morning came full steam ahead and I woke the boy up to start his first day of middle school. We had spent Sunday playing, getting dirty and eating frozen yogurt so 7am on Monday was a little easier for some of us.

He awakened with butterflies in his stomach, had to have just the right amount of gel in his hair. He wore an outfit filled with swag, and he had a grin that made me smile. After only eating half his breakfast and grabbing his backpack we stood outside for a little mother son chat that went something like this.....

Middle School is like a huge puzzle, you are going to try things that don't fit who are, you going to make choices that aren't good, your going to make a wrong turn maybe two but eventually you find your place in the puzzle. Surrounding yourself with other pieces that fit. Good friends, teachers that want to help you succeed, some football games, maybe a girl friend but its filled with lots of fun times these are the times that start to shape you a little more in the man you are meant to be one day. Everything we do happens for a reason, every experience we have in life helps us become who we are supposed to be. Be honest, work hard, play hard, follow no one and most importantly be yourself and stand up for what you believe in including others.

He gave me a few big eyes, & a few grins during my chat, he eventually said 'I got it' then gave me a hug and told me he loved me. This is what happened next.... He walked down the street to catch the bus that was going to start him on his next adventure known as Middle School. 

This is where the tears started to stream down my face under my sun glasses. I cried tears of joy, sadness, fear & even excitement for him for us on the next part of the adventure. Today was day 3 of this new journey and I am still feeling all of the emotions I was three days ago.

Here is to middle school and a year of change. Here is to all the first we will have this year to all the fun to all the trouble he will get himself into.

Like it or not it will be around for the next 3 years...No worries I am holding on Tight.

Xo,

KB