The First Day of School - 2011

We started Kindergarten with a bang this year!  Reminds me of the melt down before our first day of pre-school.  He was angy after being asked to shut the front door and get his coat on while he wanted to go out to yell to the same crossing guard that he was going to see in about 2 seconds when she helped us cross the street.

Now this is the kid I was hoping we could walk to school for his first day!  I'm glad he showed up.  He was so excited, he told both crossing guards that it was his first day of school.

Waiting outside for the bell to ring.  So much going on and so many people!  We saw a firefighter and some of our pre-school friends.

Proud Daddy and terrified, unsure what to expect mommy walked Jacob in to his classroom.  We helped to put his bag in his locker, give the teacher all of his papers, got some kisses and we left our big boy there.  I didn't cry.  I got a little choked up and my voice gave a little but, the tears didn't roll.

Jeremy and I walked back home, just the two of us hand in hand.  We don't often get a chance to do that.  We had coffee before he went to take a nap and I went on to sell some of last year's school clothes.  We had planned to go to lunch together in the afternoon.  Really, I think I could come to look forward to that ritual on the first day of school.  We really enjoyed our meal and each other's company. It was great to spend that time together without our child.  I hope we make a new tradition.

Now, the boy we picked up at 2:53PM was nothing like the sweet, hugging, "I'm going to miss you today" boy we left at school.  We picked up one heck of an OGRE!  My plans of baking cookies with him quickly went out the window to be replaced by a couch sitting Grumpus who watched Thomas' Day of the Diesels about 5 times, and the only break he took was to ride out to McDonald's to pick up his dinner.  Bedtime was simple - I think he was asleep before Daddy and I even left his room.

The first is usually the worst.  Not knowing what to do, where to go, any of the rules, what is expected, etc.  and that goes all the way around - for moms and dads too.  I'm sure it's only going to get better!