Like a Cow bellowing for her Calf

We've been working hard creating curriculum for our classes and the other day Dave let me work a bit longer and made fresh biscuits to go with my carrot-ginger-coconut-curry soup! He's becoming quite the chef!

Yesterday was Donovan's first day of grade 3, and today was Weston's first day. Oh my. Not only has this phase come suddenly, I don't know what to do with my free time. It's funny how I could suddenly do almost anything without asking Dave to first watch the boys, but what do I do? Stay in and work on the computer; boring. Well, at least it helps accomplish all I'm biting off.

I love this picture of Donovan on the front porch. We now have three of these "first day" shots. He's really grown. Weston went with us to check out Donovan's new teacher and classroom. When asked if he was excited Donovan said, "I will be if I get the pretty teacher." Dave and I were concerned, and on the drive to school told Donovan how some of our favorite teachers didn't start out pretty on the first day, but we loved them dearly and they still care for us, too. Donovan wasn't persuaded. Well, I don't know if he got his wish or not, because David and I could not figure out from our perspective which of the grade three teachers was the "pretty" one, but we sure liked the one he got. Mrs. Smith seems very conscientious and grounded. (Yeah!)

After a quick stop at Weston's favorite tea shop where he enjoyed peach pie (!) and milked down tea, we headed home without our oldest for a different kind of lunch (no Donovan.) I missed him a lot. I realized I'd gotten used to these summer meals with the whole family together. I thought of him often.

Weston too, seemed quieter. He and Daddy went for a bike ride, and then he explored bugs in the front yard with his new magnifying glass. He was pretty content, but so QUIET.

Then the next morning came (this morning.) Oh my did we have to get up early and get in gear because BOTH boys were going on the bus. I lay in bed for a time after the alarm for my usual stretch under the covers time, you know and I heard this loud bellow from the west. Poor mom cow. Often in September the farmers will take the calf away from the mother and you can hear their cries echo across the valley as her udders are full. "I am that cow" I thought. My babies are leaving and I'm left and I feel sad without them. It would be one thing if they were near by in a little wooden one-room school house, but they're way the hay away in Drumheller. Ahh.

We made it to the bus in time (Weston was so little!) and three of us moms watched it lumber up the hill with our precious calves on board.

Dave and I actually drove in as well so we could see Weston get settled. Even though it was clear in Rosebud at 7:30 am, Drumheller was socked in. Actually perfect for starting school I thought.

Dave says Weston clutched his hand as soon as they stepped in the room. Suddenly all these five year olds seemed pretty quiet and afraid. The teacher seemed nice. But it was hard to leave. I didn't like it.

I missed my boys during my expensive but necessary massage this morning. My poor massager spent nearly the whole hour on my shoulders and neck. My limbs got nothing because of the knots she was squashing up near my head. I felt like bellowing.

I missed them on the drive home with only David and quiet.

I missed them at lunch with only David and quiet.

I missed them during the afternoon.

Poor Westi was pretty wiped out when he got off the bus. But... now he has four days off. (Not too bad.)

They played for a while in the dirt together. Weston said he wished Donovan was five too so they could be in kindergarten together. (Sigh.)

Now my little lambs are asleep in their room and almost all grown up. I wish I wasn't so bossy. I really do love them. I have udders full for them, but they are now looking to udder udders. To teachers and schoolmates and bus friends and teachers who are pretty. But thankfully, I still get them at home. Even if I must bellow to the hills when they leave.