first day, minus one

The boys, meeting the bus before sunrise for a 1 and 1/2 hour drive. I guess that's the price we pay for living out here. I didn't notice Calvin's bored look until I downloaded the photo. Mr. Attitude at least looks enthusiastic. I had no trouble waking them this morning.

But where is Starflower? Unfortunately, she started spiking fevers and headaches yesterday afternoon. :( I was hoping it was a short term thing, but I was up at 3 AM fetching medicine. However, when she woke up in the morning, after I convinced her to not ride the bus, she swore she felt fine. Poor thing, I think she just didn't want to miss the first day of school. She was so convincing that I dropped her off on the way to work, on my planned stop to witness Mr. Attitude's first moments in the classroom. She swore she was fine then, and went right off into her classroom.

I proceeded to Mr. Attitude's classroom; he had not arrived yet, but a few minutes later his dutiful big brother led him to the kindergarten door. I watched as the children arrived, mostly timidly. The first day of school, ever, is a big thing! But my Mr. Attitude, not to brag or anything, exuded perhaps the most confidence of any kid I saw. He was ready to take on anything kindergarten had to offer. I wish I had some of his self confidence sometimes!

I had almost forgotten Starflower had been sick, when I got a call at work from the school nurse just before the end of school, at 3:00. She again had a headache and fever of 103. So I told the nurse to keep her there, not to send her on the bus, I would come and pick her up. An hour and a half bus ride would be too much. She asked if I wanted the boys to ride the bus or come and wait to be picked up, but I thought they could just as well ride the bus. Good experience for Mr. Attitude, good reconnection with friends for Calvin. To the nurse's credit, she went out and met Calvin and explained why Starflower would not be riding the bus home. I was worried that he would worry about her.

So everyone had a good day, except for Starflower. Mr. Attitude adapted to kindergarten very well, and Calvin's teacher happens to like camping, fishing, playing guitar, and watching The Red Green Show. He even has a picture of Red, Harold, and Bill on his desk. Calvin is a walking encyclopedia of Red Green episodes, so they should get along nicely.

I'm a bit worried that Starflower might have Lyme disease, again. It's presenting the exact same way as it did before. The Hermit was diagnosed earlier this summer. Actually, I've been wondering if I might have it again as well; I've been way too achy all of a sudden, plus I'm having weird dreams and insomnia, which I have not had for a long time. I think it's unfortunate that a lot of the literature focuses on the "bulls eye rash" as the definitive symptom of Lyme's; 1/4 of all patients never get it, including myself, and it probably prevents some doctors from diagnosing the disease early enough. I never had the rash, though a blood test diagnosed me three years ago. Who knows how long I had it before that. I might take Starflower to the doctor tomorrow.