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First Week of School Wrap Up
By Margot | September 10, 2010
Andy, Jake and Charlie on Andy’s first day
Charlie feeding the fish at Paradise Point after dropping off Andy
Charlie and his buddy Roy on his first day today
Charlie and Hank first day
Andy and Sam on the first day of school in 2008
So overall, we’ve had a good first week of school. Andy has done really well and likes his teacher and his class. They had a little run break in the middle of the day the other day and he established himself as the fastest kid in his class and really, what’s more important in second grade? Mrs. Carlson, his teacher, is going to be great. Charlie didn’t even cry when I dropped him off this morning. We stopped by the little frog in the terrarium on the school patio that he was teaching how to hop last year on our way in to school. He noticed that it’s grown some and lost all of its tadpole tale. I asked him if it had a name and if we should name it and he said yes, we’ll name it Sam Frog. I picked him up and he was happy and barefoot and showed me how he did slam dunk motions on the monkey bars. I asked him how the two new boys were and what they were like and he said, “Well, one guy was sucking on his fingers so I said, “Dude, you’re acting kinda like a baby.” Cringe.
I wish that I could tell you that Tuesday, Andy’s first day was easier then we thought it would be but I would be lying. We’d had a great Labor Day weekend packed with lots of stuff. We were all nervous about school though. Andy said before he went to bed Monday night that he’d never done a first day without Sam and that Sam gave him all his advice. It was like a knife watching all of the fifth graders line up and I hadn’t put two and two together when I requested Mrs. Carlson but she is right next door to Mrs. Gage who teaches fifth grade. I held it together until I got to the car after dropping Andy off. Neil left early before the bell rang and we were both a mess most of the day. I took Charlie out to a breakfast date and to feed the fish at Paradise Point and he cheered me up some (if you look at that smile it’s hard to not be at least a little cheered up by it) and then Lisa, (thank you Lisa) cheered me up later in the day. Andy was in great spirits when I picked him up and has been really happy this week -thank goodness for Andy and Charlie.
We started the crazy after school schedule and it seems to be working out pretty well. Monday – tennis, Tuesday- baseball, Wednesday- free, Thursday- swimming, Friday- soccer, Saturday- soccer, Sunday- baseball. I told my brother and he said, “So what’s with the Wednesday free?” Neil got talked into coaching Andy’s baseball team along with Big Joe and he’s made several Bad News Bears references in the past week but is a good coach for the boys. We have our first soccer games tomorrow – Charlie boy is so excited and Andy’s first baseball game on Sunday. Tennis has been fun but I’m going to have to learn to breathe through my eyelids for my serve. It has a Nuke Laloosh quality in that it’s kind of wild.
We have Max’s Run tomorrow morning. Colleen got our little group t-shirts that say “TeamSam” on the front and on the back say “Because of Sam….. I Run” in two lines This month is Pediatric Cancer Awareness month for those of you that don’t know. Please keep all of our little friends in your thoughts.
Margot
Topics: Progress Reports | 6 Comments »
September 10th, 2010 at 9:04 pm
Hey Margot! Glad to know Charlie had a great day, and that Andy’s in great spirits. Have fun on the run tomorrow! Even though I won’t be there, I’m running with you there in spirit. 🙂
September 11th, 2010 at 3:13 pm
Yes, Margot, it is a game of inches. One freaking inch at a time and then two backwards. One inch forward and one more.
Sam must be so proud of Andy and Charlie and his mom and dad. Remember that he is looking down at you all the time and I can’t remember Sam ever crying about cancer. All I remember is his guts. I remember thinking that he spoke by his action-all torn to hell inside and he didn’t look around for re-assurance or help. He just got up and worked for that one next inch.
I do remember that Sam was judgmental. He didnt think much about my chess game. He had his favorite restaurants and those he wouldn’t go to. He had expectations for his sport teams. I imagine he is looking down now and making judgments on how hard his brothers and parents are fighting for that next inch.
More power and love to the San Diego Hutchison’s; tomorrow many of us will pause and remember to fight like hell for that next inch. You guys keep fighting like hell, too. We have big shoes to fill-Sam’s.
September 13th, 2010 at 2:26 pm
Hey Marg,
I remember that serve – it earned us several wins in high school 🙂 I’m glad school is going well and I hope this year brings you all lots of smiles and good memories.
September 14th, 2010 at 3:01 pm
Hi Margot and Neil,
Fastest in the class is really impressive…Sam must be helping there! He certainly helped my Andrew!
I love ALL of your photos, but must admit I always shed a few tears when I get to the one with Sam.
L,
Meryl
September 15th, 2010 at 5:46 pm
As you said, Marg, “Thank God for Andy and Charlie!” Through them, you will heal. We love you all so much.
September 15th, 2010 at 7:07 pm
Still checking in on you guys and want you to know I continue to pray for your family! I can only imagine how hard that first day back to school must have been for your whole family. I know Kate Sessions isn’t the same without Sam’s smiling face. I really was touched by Andy missing his big brother’s advice. Your boys are so blessed to have you guys as parents. You are such an strength to others even in your hardships.