Matthew and Stephen Go to School

Tab is working in New York City all this week, which means he has to be at the train station before 7 o'clock each morning. Fortunately, we have a grandmotherly neighbor who is willing to stay here in the house with the boys for fifteen minutes while I drop off Tab. By the time Tab and I leave, Stephen and Matthew are already dressed and have had breakfast. "Miss Vicky, Miss Vicky!" they cry excitedly when she arrives, bestowing numerous kisses and hugs upon her. They lead her by the hand to the couch so she can sit and watch Sesame Street with them.

The twins were even more excited yesterday morning, telling Miss Vicky over and over that they were going to school that day. They were scheduled for an appointment at St. Ann's School to be evaluated for their readiness for kindergarten. I had been talking with them about it for several weeks, so they were prepared for the visit. In fact, they were actually looking forward to it.

"Are we going to school now?" they asked as soon as I got back from the train station.

"In a bit. After Daniel goes to school."

We arrived at St. Ann's at 8:30. We were ushered upstairs to a small anteroom outside the school's assembly room. A few teachers were sitting at desks inside the big room. The twins were shown to a small table with crayons, puzzles, and games.

"OK, then," said the staff person who was taking names. "You can come back at 9:45."

I was worried about leaving them...after all, they were in unfamiliar surroundings with people they didn't know. They accepted my departure with equanimity, however. Stephen was working on a puzzle and Matthew had picked up the crayons and was starting to draw.

I spent part of the hour filling out some of the forms for the school. At what age did your child: Walk unassisted? Begin speaking words? Put two or three words together? Speak in sentences? All those milestones I thought I'd never forget have become a faint memory three or four years later, but I did the best I could. Fortunately, the twins developed at a similar rate so once I had filled out the first form, the second was a virtual copy.

When I picked up the boys at quarter of 10, they were pleased to see me but not desperately happy. They proudly showed me the certificates they received, which praised them "For Good Kindergarten Work." I took them out to Dunkin' Donuts afterward as a special treat, and they filled me in on their morning.

"Could we go back to school tomorrow?" Matthew asked.

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