The Power of Distraction

I survived Nathan's first day of first grade. So did he. However, this is more about me - because you see, there was NO question about his survival - it was, has, and ALWAYS will be a question of mine. Always.

Here are the details:

Short Version:
He went. I survived.

VERY Long Version:
Scott took the day off to be with his wife who may have freaked him out just a little with my sudden outburst of tears (the past couple of weeks - or actually all summer) just thinking of the peanut leaving me for full days of school.

Then he almost made us late getting there for the first day (can you even imagine?). So... we hurried into the car. Distraction.

And when we got there... we hurried to take pictures. Distraction.

And then Nathan got in line to be with his buddies (I'm chopped liver) and we mingled with friends that have kids in the same class. Distraction.
I went over to smooch on him one more time. I made the mistake of asking him if I could just stand there and smooch on him all day. Get this, he said, "No. If Charlie sees you doing this I'm gonna be mad!" Hmph. Who likes Charlie anyway? Back to the adults I go. More distraction.
We waved goodbye to him like he was leaving for boot camp and then he was gone (There Goes My Life song haunting me again). And as the parents started leaving, I was withOUT distraction. So the flood gates opened and flooded Scott's arms. (Thank God he was there to catch them!)

But then... Scott said, "Let's go out for a coffee." Mmmmm, OK, twist my arm. PURE distraction.

We ran into four different people we knew while enjoying our drinks. Distraction.

The phone rang constantly from friends and family asking if I was OK. VERY nice distraction --- love all of you that called! Thanks bunches and bunches!

When we were done Scott wanted to run into Cabela's (not very good distraction for me) so I had him drop me off at the fabric store for a whole hour to look and search to my heart's content. I only thought about Nathan 3,198 times. BUT I really enjoyed myself and got some super duper fun fabrics! Shopping is always the best distraction solution possible.

Then I had a quick meeting for MOPS (long story -- I'm done with it but going to help out behind the scenes to ween myself). It went well. It felt good. And MOPS -- a total feel good distraction, always.

After that, I made a trip to Hobby Lobby -- where like the show Cheers, everybody knows my name. Distraction.

And then met the hubby for lunch. A date. We NEVER do dates. EVER. It was an AWESOME distraction.

Then we went and picked up the peanut who was TOO busy running to the play ground to play some more to actually tell me how much he missed me and that he wanted me to home school from now on. And we talked to more adults while watching our kids play together. Then headed to ice cream with friends. Then had friends over. Then the boys practiced shooting their bows in the backyard with a friend of Scott's. Then we ate a super LATE supper. And then it was time to get Nathan showered and ready for the 2nd day of 1st grade. And then he was in bed. My head is still spinning. And I'm still wondering what on earth he did on his first day, how lunch went, how many recesses he had, etc. Woofta! It must have went well because he woke up early raring to go for his second day and constantly asking me how many more minutes until school started.

Then as we pulled up to school, he asked me if he could just go up to his "line" alone and have me stay in the car. I feel the love. And being the nice laid back, non-smothering mom that I am, I said, "No. You WILL love me and miss me and want me to be by your side every step of your way through life." Ok... didn't really say that last part but I did make him let me walk him up to his door. Maybe, if he's lucky, when it's 30 below this winter, he can walk up by himself. Maybe.

P.S. I forgot to grab my camera from Scott's car to download pictures! Darn it!