Today was the perfect morning to sleep in. It was so dark and cozy in my room. I could hear the rain tap, tap, tapping at the window right next to my bed. I pulled the covers up to my ears and settled further into my pillow happy to get a bit more sleep after the middle of the night awakenings by the boys.
Two seconds later I shot out of bed when I remembered this was no day for lounging. This is the first day of school!
I jumped into my bathroom and started readying myself before I had even had my morning coffee. This, for me, is no small feat. When I was dressed I came downstairs to see my anxious boys sitting on the couch watching the news with daddy and chatting about the excitement this first day brings, and they too were already dressed.
Breakfast was had, lunch was made, and backpacks were packed. I put the "Have a good day! I love you!" notes into each of the boys' bags and we headed out to school.
The ride to school was filled with questions and advice. Though Ben's first day of school is not until tomorrow (he only goes to 3K on Tuesdays and Thursdays) his older brothers were giving him the low down on what happens at school.
Tommy: "Ben, don't be upset if no one talks to you at school because I remember when I first started school no one would talk to me but now they are all my friends!"
Ben: "'Mmm-kay."
Me: "Well, sometimes people are nervous or shy and they don't know what to say. I'm sure everyone will want to be your friend but they might be too scared to talk to you."
Ben: "I not gonna wear a sca'y mask or somepin! Why dey sca'ed?"
Me: "Sometimes people are scared or nervous when they don't know anyone."
Joe: "Yeah. Sometimes you just gotta talk to them first!"
Ben: "Yeah."
We walked into the school with "We Are Family" blaring down the hallways and the principal and teachers greeting everyone as they entered. Seeing all the excitement I was sure that Ben would be a grumpy mess watching his brothers start school and knowing he had to wait until tomorrow, but I guess the promise of making cookies with me was enough to hold him over.
We took Tommy to his Kindergarten classroom, took pictures, and got him all settled in. Then we walked Joey to his 2nd grade classroom and did the same. As we prepared to leave I said to Joey, "Well hon, I'd give you a kiss but I know you don't want me to in front of your friends." And he quickly said, "Yes I do!" It warmed my heart and put a very large lump in my throat at the same time.
We've done this all before. But it always feels like the first time. And each time I leave those school doors I have to fight back tears. Overwhelmed with love and pride. And I will do it all over again tomorrow. And no doubt I will be fighting back tears again as my baby boy starts school for the very FIRST time.
17 comments:
I dropped my First grader off today he was not too jazzed about going to school this morning. I started to tear up as he walked away from the car (his Dad usually drops him) and he's been going for almost 3 weeks!
I think it's just hard to be away from each other at times, although it's good too!
Hope they have a great year!
Oh my! Did this post bring back memories for me! And just today, I watched the granddaughter, Maya, so thrilled at the first day of being a FIRST GRADER, smiling all the while she was getting dressed, getting her hair combed, just so, ya know, and leaving with Mommy to walk to the bus stop. Hard to believe it will soon be 30 years since the last time I put one of my own children on the bus for the first day as a FIRST GRADER! Yes, she was THAT excited this morning -mega emphasis on the first grader thing, ya know.
Since I was able to keep from crying when she left, it only took reading this post to bring those tears forward and I really enjoyed the good, memory cry. Peace!
The first day of school is always so, so exciting! My oldest starts his second year of kindergarten next week. I'm happy, and so is he - last year, I was an emotional mess!
Ahhh...I loved this. Your kids are adorable. I was holding back tears today to. It was my kid's first day of school, and this time...they both left, for the whole day! No more littles at at home to keep me company. It's a good thing I have my poodle. ;)
You won't believe how much i love your emotions they so my mommy like..
I got to my feet she cried, i got to school, she cried, I got to my high school she cried, I got passed in my senior high school she cried, I got to my law school she cried, after 5 years of studies I got out of there she cried.
I got my first job, she cried and
I am 23 yrs now and a lawyer.. I cried after reading your post..
can i ever repay my mom's tears she shed from her beautiful eyes because she has loved me so dearly all through my years?
I think... never
love Naqvee
fun. next Tuesday is the big day for us. MQ is really excited to start at her new school and make some friends. Tomorrow we go check out her classroom and meet her teacher.
This completely made me well up with tears! I'm so glad I still have two years before Millie is in school. I'm not ready! It is bad enough dropping her and Jill off at daycare! Too sweet! I hope you have a great day with Ben and Grace.
I hear you Kat...Hope started second grade this year. Where exactly did my baby go? And Claire? She starts preschool in two weeks. When I think about her going to Kindergarten next year...and BOTH of them being away from me all day? Well...one day at a time...right? As always it's such a pleasure to drop by and catch up!
I don't even know how I will act when it's an elementary drop off. Pre-K wasn't too much harder because it's still at their same school...but it's still so tough. They are lucky to have their brothers to coach them through.
And, what's a momma to do with her little girl with all three boys at school!
I've done it every year, my youngest is a senior this year. Crying not walking them to their classes!
OMGosh, LOVE your conversation with Ben! That is adorable.
Hope it's a great year!
This was the first year T took the bus. My husband walked him to the end of the driveway and was hanging out with him when T turned and said, "Dad? You can go now. this is embarrassing." Doug came back to the house feeling pretty twisted up about it--on the one hand, our boy is growing up, on the other, Doug wants him to be little still!
I love the sweet brotherly advice. Mine started school for the first time this year...ouch! I cried for sure. I guess it never gets easy, huh?
ah! the first day of school! We're about 2 weeks in, and it's still pretty exciting, from the 5 year old's perspective anyway...
We haven't had that first day yet and I am thinking some tears will be shed as my baby girl will be going this year. How can she be that old???
This thing deleted my first comment - boo!
I hope everyone had a great first week - yourself included!
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