Well. I was dreading it, anyway. I'm not sure about anyone else.
I was dreading the return of school because I had really been enjoying the ease of summer. The sleeping until I woke up (for the most part), the lack of a hard and fast schedule, the chance for everyone to relax more, hang out more, and just generally enjoying life at a slower pace.
Interestingly, what had been a vague notion of distaste hit me with full clarity last night. Oh yeah. It's true, I dislike the early rising (especially the forced early rising of certain children — well, just one child, really), and I don't enjoy making lunches in the morning and trying to get everyone to eat something before they dash out the door. But the thing I really can't stand is feeling tired all the time. Funny how I had forgotten about that. I just can't seem to get myself in bed early enough to not feel exhausted the next day. Dang.
Eva was not dreading it.
Well, that's not quite true. She was excited about it, she couldn't wait for school to start. But she was also having trepidations. It came out when Marc was giving the kids their back-to-school blessings that she feared she would have to return to first grade when her teacher discovered how woefully deficient her subtraction skills are! Goodness.
Anyway. The organizing of her pencil box was a serious task, involving the trying of multiple schematics to get it just right.
She woke up at 3:30 this morning. As usual, she woke me up as well, because misery loves company.
My first baby is a senior! A senior. I can't quite wrap my mind around it. It occurred to me that this was the last time I would be with him on his first day of school. Mercy.
For one day, at least, everyone got up right on time, with no dawdling or resistance. Even this guy. He tries to block my efforts at photo-taking, but he has learned that resistance is futile. I hope.
This is not the ideal photo, as she is covering up some of her sign. But she was far too excited to hang around for a re-take. Obviously. (She's down to one snaggletooth now!)
At least I still have one who wants me to accompany her inside on the first day. Here she is, in her element. (She was a bit stressed about trying to hurry and put everything where it belonged.) Her new teacher told me that she was feeling emotional looking at all of her new students, that she loves them already, and knows that this is such a big day for them.
As I walked out, the principal announced the pledge of allegiance and I heard all of the kids reciting it. The halls were positively buzzing with excitement. For the first time in my memory, I walked out of the school feeling a little teary. Such a big day.
To console myself, I went to get a pedicure. It's a cure for many ills.
Other than that, it was just like any other day. Laundry, cleaning, groceries, etc. Except...
it was also my baby's first day of jazz class. Oh boy.
5 comments:
How is it that in my head your children are all about five years younger?? Good heavens they're growing up.
Eva's pose in that last photo just cracks me up.
Looks like your first day back to school was a success! Everyone looks frat and I love Eva's hair!
I wondered if you have ever made the school lunches the night before and store them in the fridge? That's what I do, and it makes the morning so much easier!
LOVE this post!
That Eva- she's a doll
TRent started school too- oh my aching heart.
I am loving your color choice for your pedicure!!
Ry starts afternoon kindergarten and I am excited at the possibilities of being alone every single afternoon! I need a pedicure.
Cute first day of school pictures! Every year I think I will remember to print out signs, but we start earlier than everyone else, and I always forget until the cute sign pictures are posted. 12th grade? Aah! That one is painful! He is looking so grown up, too.
Eva's dance pose is fabulous! Totally made me smile!
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