School update

Well, I just got back from another successful send off at the bus. Both children are on their way to school and still seem to be happy about it. Yesterday (their 1st day of school) I drove down to the bus stop and we waited in the car until a few minutes before the bus was scheduled to be there. Dang it was cold! I use to go to school on the 1st day sweating, not even looking at my jacket until at least October! It was August 30th and we had coats and sweatshirts on. I keep having to remind myself that we are on the same latitude as Winnipeg Canada (for those of you keeping track, that is WAY past my "D" line!)! When we walked up to the bus stop, there was mostly just older kids there so I said "OK, I'm counting on all you bigger kids to watch out for my little kids", they all smiled but I kept looking at them, then one of them said "yes, we will". THAT's what I wanted to hear! I was the only mom there (I guess 8th graders and H.S. kids don't need their moms at the bus stop!) and I had to play it up and take pictures and slightly embarrass my kids, if I didn't they might think I don't love them anymore!
Here, they charter the city buses for the school. So up pulled a city bus with a orange picture of kids in the window and a piece of paper with the number of the bus they were told to take. They got on while I took pictures, then I jumped in the car to get to Corn Niblet's school. I actually got in front of the bus and never saw it behind me, so I thought I was good to go. When I got to school I kept looking at the bus numbers and never saw them, then someone told me that bus had already been there! I ran over to wear Corn Niblet was to be standing, called out her name and heard a calm "mommy, I'm right here" behind me. She had to have someone help tell her where to go, but she was in the right line. She was nervous, didn't want me to leave, but seemed happy. I got to walk with her to her room, take a couple pictures and then I left.
Meanwhile, Big J met Sweet Pea at a pre-ordained location and made sure she got to her teacher. He said it was organized chaos at her school, and her teacher wasn't outside yet. Once her teacher came out, he said his goodbyes and said Sweet Pea seemed fine.
When I met the bus at the end of the day, They came off with smiles and full of stories...
"I met 2 friends"
"I met 3 friends"
"If ur good u get a name on a smiley face, if we get all of them we get a party"
"I'm the smartest girl in math"
It was so nice to hear all the happy stories, and have them eager to go back! Now I just worry that they make friends with good kids, and not the mean ones or ones that will introduce them to things I would rather they wait to know! But isn't that every mother's worry?
I also worry that my girls while fall behind at this school. But I am prepared to keep track of the standards at their old school, and to make up any differences that start to show. Ultimately as long as their happy and healthy and safe that's all that matters!