Ready or not here he comes!
For years, I swore that on Seth’s first day of kindergarten? You’d find me waiting with him at the bus stop doing a happy dance while drinking margaritas.
As I drove him to school on that first day, I was actually pretty teary-eyed. I left my sunglasses on while inside the school because I’d rather the staff and his teacher think I’m a vampire than know the truth — that I was a sniffling, quivering mess of snot. After dropping him off, I cried then decided I needed ice cream. And lots of it. Yes, ice cream does indeed make everything better.
Other moms who dropped their kids off didn’t seem to have the waterworks problem. I envied them. So calm. So together. So not red-faced as mascara made tracks down their cheeks.
Seth was ready to let go. He’s been begging to go to kindergarten for two years now. He’s a social little man and is very eager to find his place in his little society. Its just that his mama wasn’t nearly as ready.
But I’m over it now. He’s having fun. He’s learning. For three hours a day, he drives his teacher crazy — not me. (Fifteen hours a week of quiet time! I guess I no longer have an excuse for the mold growing in the master bath’s shower… Course with 15 hours of weekly free time, I could figure out how to turn that junk into penicillin, package it, then develop a marketing campaign. Hmmmm.)
The only question that remains? When will “Tweed” make an appearance in school? Or the on the bus? It will happen soon no doubt. (Shudder.)
But this week has found me thinking an awful lot about some other moms with kiddos entering kindergarten. Hopefully they’ll post their stories as well. Any more moms with kindergartners? Let me know, I want to lick you! Wait, uh, LINK you!)
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By Michelle at Scribbit, August 15, 2007 @ 5:38 am
That’s a great idea, I’ll do it–two weeks from tomorrow is the big day and I have to say I can’t WAIT for the boys to go back. David was playing swords today and put a big hole in the wall with his light saber and that was about the last thing I could take.
And I love your Blogher pictures, though I’m so sad I couldn’t go, I would have loved to have been there and met you (love the hair!)
By Carrie, August 15, 2007 @ 7:38 am
Aaaaaw. This post reminds me of when my oldest started kindergarten! Believe me, it gets a little easier next year.
And — even though nobody is going to kindergarten this year, I am counting down the days until they go back!
Enjoy your new-found Mommy time!
By FunnyGal KAT, August 15, 2007 @ 11:50 am
This is proof for my theory that ice cream makes everything better! Hope it was a really big bowl!
By Alissa, August 15, 2007 @ 11:52 am
I’m glad you survived! And I’m double glad he’s loving school!
By Jenn, August 15, 2007 @ 2:49 pm
Mine did kindergarten last year. Yes, it was tough. It helped that the bus picked her up and I immediately had to leave for work so I didn’t have much of a chance to think it over. She went to all-day kindergarten, too. Which was tough on her, I think, but she adjusted pretty quickly.
School starts for us Monday. I think 1st grade is going to be a FAR easier send off!
By Marriage-101, August 15, 2007 @ 2:58 pm
My sister in law in sending her oldest to kindergarten on Friday. I imagine she’ll react the same way you did.
By Tamberlyn, August 15, 2007 @ 3:56 pm
He was so excited, and didn’t fall asleep until after 10:00, even though lights were out last night at 8:00. He came out of his room this morning all dressed and ready to go at 7:00, too bad the bus didn’t come until 8:45.
We did all the pictures and he was so happy and excited when the bus came down the road. All the kids lined up and he did actually give me a kiss goodbye! I held the tears in until the bus pulled away….I was the only mom who was sending their first child off, so they were are talking about what they were going to do with freedom at last, and my hubby just hugged me as I tried to get myself collected. I can’t wait to hear all about his day. I hope you have a great one!!!
By Reba, August 15, 2007 @ 4:33 pm
When you hear all the stories he tells you about school and the art projects he brings home it will all be better.
By VirtualSprite, August 15, 2007 @ 5:21 pm
Aawww… that’s too cute. I love the sunglasses!
Ubergoober is starting preschool on Sept. 4, the same day his big sister starts middle school. I’ll be a mess, you can be damn sure.
By Amber, August 15, 2007 @ 5:32 pm
What a doll! I have no idea how I will react, though I must say I am positively gleeful Haddie starts preschool next week. Of course, it’s only for six hours and I still have one at home to keep me company. But when they’re all in school? I expect a glimmer of sadness until I fully embrace my newfound FREEDOM!
By Heather L., August 15, 2007 @ 6:13 pm
They always look so big when they get on that bus or walk through those doors for the first time. I wasn’t too bad with Matthew since he had gone to preschool for two years before that.Preschool was Tue/Thu the first year and M/W/F the second year, so I got to ease into the transition.
You did great Mom!
Good luck with the penicillin thing! ;o)
By Rebecca, August 15, 2007 @ 7:08 pm
Seth looks just like you, Lisa! So cute. Both of you
See you Friday!
By Rani, August 15, 2007 @ 7:46 pm
I send my first born daughter off to kindergarten next Tues. Here, we have K every day, all day. I am scared, proud, and downright depressed already and it’s 6 days away yet. I will post (I am sure) when the big day happens…thanks for sharing your story.
By Allison, August 15, 2007 @ 8:24 pm
My oldest starts kindergarten in 3 weeks (we start after labor day this year). He’s currently driving me crazy so I am actually looking forward to his first day but when that day arrives I’m sure I’ll be a bit teary. My mom is a kindergarten teacher and wants me to cry (nice huh?) so said she is going to send the book “The Kissing Hand” and a poem she gives to her kids on their first day. Glad your little guy is enjoying school!
By Ruth Dynamite, August 15, 2007 @ 9:00 pm
I know I know. Last year I was you, minus the icecream. And this year, as my baby, my 1st grader, steps on the school bus and it drives away, I’ll be running for the freezer.
By Candid Yammering, August 15, 2007 @ 11:00 pm
He’s adorable. I was you last year, too.
Now she’s starting first grade and my oldest is in 3rd. THIRD!?!?!!! When did he get big enough to do THAT!?
By Oh, The Joys, August 16, 2007 @ 2:52 am
Such a milestone! Kindergarten!
I’m glad it’s feeling good now.
xo,
OTJ
By creative-type dad, August 16, 2007 @ 6:21 am
Kindergarten - wow.
Next thing you know, he’ll be shaving
By Lisa, August 16, 2007 @ 12:16 pm
My son did the kindergarten thing last year. As the bus pulled away, I cried in my husban’d arms. Then he went to work!! I knew my son was so ready but it is a very bittersweet milestone.
By Alex Elliot, August 16, 2007 @ 1:03 pm
We haven’t hit that milestone yet. However, last year was my son’s first year of preschool. I was looking forward to it since he was born (at least that’s the way I recall it!) but when he finally had his first day of preschool I realized I wasn’t as ready as I thought I was. He had a great time. I decided to distract myself by running errands with the baby. I acted like a complete nut job by telling basically everyone who even glanced at me that today was my son’s first day of preschool and yes I was really happy even if I was crying. Then they would flee away from me
By sj, August 16, 2007 @ 2:25 pm
kindergarten!
that’s huge. that’s like - no long toddler but official little boy. or so it seems. i have no kids myself, but when my nephew hits kindergarten, i’d bet it’s going to be traumatic for my sister - it’ll be traumatic enough for me, so i can only imagine it from the mommy-perspective.
By slackermommy, August 16, 2007 @ 3:10 pm
Most of those moms are crying too. They hold it in until they are back in their cars. I still cry on the first day of school with all my kids. It’s become a joke in my house. They would be disappointed if I didn’t cry. I cry all the way home and by the time I’m home I’m over it. Then I pop open a Diet Cherry Vanilla Dr. Pepper and celebrate. Connor doesn’t start for another couple of weeks but don’t be surprised if I show up at your door on that day with a 6 pack of DCVDP.
By Nancy, August 16, 2007 @ 6:33 pm
Me too! Mimi starts September 4th. And yes, I’ll be one of those crying moms too.
By linlee, August 17, 2007 @ 4:29 am
OMG! Seth looks go grown up!
Let’s get together during your 15 hours of free time..lol
By Cece, August 17, 2007 @ 10:42 pm
He’s so cute! My baby just started kindergarten this week, too. I’m glad her dad took her because I would’ve been a mess, too. Heck! I still cry for my 4th grader! lol
By Nancy R, August 19, 2007 @ 3:31 pm
I was pregnant when E1 entered kindergarten…and so, I openly wept in the classroom, as did E1.
However, at the end of that short first day she came busting out of the school doors with the biggest grin on her face and said she LOVED it.
She’s entering fourth grade this year…sniff
By Candace, August 19, 2007 @ 5:05 pm
Lisa,
I understand the tears. As I stood at the doors of District 12 on Thursday and told the students and parents were to go, tears began to flow. Several moms had to put their sunglasses on so not to show they were not crying, but their red checks told another story. I know I will be the same way one day.
Candace
By mayberry, August 22, 2007 @ 2:30 pm
September 4 is our big day — I am stockpiling the tissues…
By Laura, August 29, 2007 @ 4:13 pm
My son started kindergarten last Wednesday. I walked him to his classroom and went on my merry way (ok, I was a little sad). I thought, hey this is easy. Then Monday came. He told me, “Mom, I’m a big kid now. I can go in by myself.” So I dropped him off. As I watched his little back-packed self walk through the door, the tears started.
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