Nevertheless, we and the children had a great time. I went early to help set up. While we were doing that, the children were out on the playground. I happened to glance out and see that Henry's class was out there too. Then I saw Reeves and Henry find each other, and this was how they spent the remainder of their time out there, hand in hand, walking all around, pointing things out to each other and introducing each other to their friends. It was precious. (And a little wierd, since it did look like they were on a date, but it won't be long before they succomb to the societal pressures all around them, so I was sure to capture it to remind us of how cute they were.)
When the kids did come in, we went into the classroom next door and had a little Thanksgiving history lesson. 
They had all made bead bracelets, and they were able to tell us what all the colors stood for. Then it was time for the feast. And what a feast it was. There was enough food on Reeves' plate to last him a week. 
I think all of us mothers realized there was no need for everyone to bring something ever again. We'll just dole out a few food responsibilities from now on. Of course, despite being packed in like sardines, we all enjoyed watching our little ones. 
They said the blessing and ate about one eleventh of what was on their plates. I got to see Reeves' Thanksgiving sign that he had made. It was a picture of a turkey that said what he was thankful for. While most of the other children had put "Mommy" or "Daddy" or "My Family" on theirs, Reeves was thankful for "Honey". And no, that's not a pet or a person, it's the sweet viscous liquid that his Grandmomma has made him fall in love with. She laughed with delight when she saw the sign the next day.
Reeves immediately found Henry, and the two of them set off playing. We were lucky to be able to keep an eye on them at all, and this was no easy feat given the fact that every child was wearing the aforementioned same t-shirts. I lost sight of Reeves once long enough to get me worried, but, like magic, all of a sudden he popped right up. Luckily, I had Aileen and David helping in the search. 
And Aileen really stepped up to the plate when she took over occupying the children at the end of the picnic with her mad ball tossing skills. 
It was so good to see all the children and the parents. I am still in shock that we are about to put this school year in the books. I don't even have to work very hard to remember the little blue sailboat jon-jon we had him in for his first day of school. He has grown so much this year. From the scared little baby who clung to our legs and who cried all through naptime to this confident little boy who runs to his classroom and shows me all the things he has done at school. Each time I pick him up, he runs from wherever he is playing on the playground and hugs me and then his brother. He tells all his friends goodbye and practically counts the minutes until he gets to see them again. And as for that blue jon-jon, well that has long since been put away in a bin for Bennett. Reeves has grown too big for it. Like this first year of school, it is just a memory now, something we got as much out of as we could, but now it's time to move on. 
I can never thank his teachers, Mrs. Ledbetter, Miss Chapman, and Miss Carpenter enough for all they have done to make this year wonderful for Reeves. He adores them, and I just hope that in some small way, they realize just what a blessing they are to each parent.
We saw his tears start. I wish we hadn't seen that because it made my tears start. The magnitude of this day really hit me. This is the first step in a lifelong journey. Every August, for the next 20-odd years, he will be starting school. 
I feel like we should have made a bigger deal of it. I'm getting ready to go pick him up in a minute. I pray that all the reports are good and that he didn't cry the whole time. I know, just like at Kanuga, it will take some time for him to get adjusted, but it will happen, and dropping him off will get easier and easier for all of us.