and they're off

i found this in my unpublished posts list from march 2013, right after we found out that liam had been accepted to magellan.  this is one of the reasons why i blog -- because i have absolutely  no recollection of this happening.

"sara, i've been meaning to tell you the sweetest thing i've ever witnessed," said my friend clare one evening last week at church while we helped stuff envelopes for an upcoming event.  she's a part-time spanish teacher at the kids' school, and while she doesn't teach the younger grades, still sees them from time to time.  "i was standing near the lobby the other day, and liam's class and susanna's class happened to pass each other on their way to specials.  right at the same time, they both stepped a little out of line, met halfway, and gave each other a little sideways hug.  i'm telling you, it almost made me tear up, it was so sweet."


so when i walked in from the driveway yesterday after spending a few extra minutes sharing my exciting news of liam's school acceptance with susanna's best friend lily's mom, and found susanna sitting on the arm chair next to liam, crying, i naturally assumed that she was upset because he would be leaving her.

"oh sweetheart, please don't worry," i said in the most soothing voice i could muster.  "it's only one year that you won't be in school with liam before you get to join him.  because you are guaranteed a spot there too!"

but for some reason, this only escalated her wailing.  "really, honey, it will be okay.  we'll drive him to school each morning, and then he can be at the bus stop when you get home --"

she interrupted me with a look of disdain on her face, as if i just didn't get it.  (which, i guess, i didn't.)  "mommy!  i don't CARE that liam's not going to be in school with me!  i just don't want to be away all of my friends!"

oh.

so fast forward to september 2014 ... and i am wise to have waited a few weeks to post the annual first-day picture and write-up.  because goodness gracious, our little girl has quite the impressive stubborn streak.  she had seventeen months to get used to the idea of leaving lacy and switching schools; seventeen months to watch how much liam loves it there and warm up to the change.  instead, she spent seventeen months crying and complaining and begging for us to let her stay.  (and we had seventeen months of biting our tongues and reminding ourselves that she was within her rights to be upset.)

but now, eighteen months after receiving the news, she is HAPPY.  she is comfortable.  she is enjoying her new school and is proud to go there.  and as long as your name is not sara or chris mann, she'll even tell you how much she loves magellan.  (she still won't admit to us that it has been a great move.  i'm telling you, it's an impressive stubborn streak.)

so, finally, here's the first-day-of-school picture, with two smiling children -- in a little sideways hug just like they used to share on the halls of lacy.

liam (fourth grade) & susanna (third grade) -- in unplanned matching colors