Well, the teachers made the list, but I checked it twice. Or three times. Or four. I might have gone back to the store that many times, too, but I don’t remember and I’ll deny it if you ask me. I actually forgot Isabelle’s list the first time I went and I did pretty well remembering it photographically. The second time I went was because I didn’t know that Sam had a list until I was cleaning the kitchen and found a piece of mail that I hadn’t previously seen that said he needed x-amount of things. I had many of the things already, but there were a few essentials that I didn’t know about. So, back to the store I went. But, I forgot his list. Once again, I remembered it photographically and got everything on the list except the 2 things that the store didn’t have–a protractor and a compass–both of which were on the list as “optional”. I’ll get them for him later if he truly needs them.
Back at home again, I checked all the lists and packed both Sam’s and Isabelle’s backpacks. I know, Sam is old enough to pack his own, but I wanted to avoid the last-minute-rushing-around-stuffing-all-that-stuff-in-the-backpack thing because it just stresses me out and makes me angry with him and I want to avoid that at all costs on the first day of school. Everything is ready to go for tomorrow. Sam did rifle through his backpack when he got done “hanging” with his friends (quite literally, actually, since they were across the street at the park “hanging” on the playground equipment). He asked if he needed to label everything, and I told him if he felt like he needed to he should go ahead and do so. He did. Sometimes, he can be all grown up and manly and then other times he’s just a little boy still.
I had a little weepiness over the weekend. I was cleaning and listening to the iPod and there were some sappy songs on. I was feeling like my life, or more accurately, the lives of the people around me were moving too fast. I’m sending my daughter to her junior year of high school. Gulp. Next year will be her last. I’m not ready for that. One of the songs was a song that is kind of hers and Jason’s song and I was picturing them dancing to it at her wedding. (Jumping the gun? Um, yeah, that’s me–Dorky McDorkerson.) My baby is starting his last year of middle school. I hope he matures some (not too much) this year because right now, I am scared to death, thinking of him going to high school next year.
I also was thinking about Isabelle. Isabelle is starting kindergarten on Wednesday. She’s in the Monday/Wednesday/every other Friday kindergarten group. She’ll go all day on those days. I’m afraid. I’m afraid that she doesn’t know her letters well enough and that she won’t remember her lunch pin number or that she won’t eat lunch at all and will be hungry. I’m afraid that she will be scared or cry without us there. I’m afraid that she will be so tired and overwhelmed. I’m afraid, even though her pediatrician and her kindergarten teacher have reassured me, that she is not ready for kindergarten. I’m afraid about how our crazy family situation (Isabelle basically living with us and having so many people involved in her care–maybe that is a good thing) is going to affect her at school. I’m afraid that they will look down on us because Ashley is so young and has lots of tattoos (not that there is anything wrong with tattoos, I have one myself) and is a little bit different from the other moms. I’m afraid that when she gets on that school bus on Wednesday morning I am going to cry. I’m afraid that Ashley is going to cry and I won’t know what to say to her. I’m afraid that, when she gets off the bus, she will run to me and not Ashley and that will hurt Ashley’s feelings. (I still can’t wait to get her off the bus on Wednesday afternoon.) The list goes on and on.
There will be videos tomorrow. In spite of the fact that I cannot find the battery charger for the camcorder. I will use my camera and they will just be quick little videos if that’s all I can do. My kids will pretend they hate it, but it is a tradition to have that first day of school on video and secretly I think they really like the tradition. And pictures. Of course there will be pictures.
You are such a sentimental mush and I love you for it. I think that’s one of the things you were meant to teach me. I can’t believe you haave video and pictures of all their first days. What a wonderful gift for them.
Although it does make me feel like I suck…
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I really HATE that you have to be so afraid for your granddaughter.
Being the grandparent is supposed to be the fun and easy part.
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I wasn’t sure what to do about Ross’ first-day-of-school picture this year since his first class was late in the day long after I leave for work. So, I took a picture anyway before I left. Of course, he was still in bed and pulled the blanket over his head with a grumpy, “That’s not funny, Mom”. Did I mention it was the first day of college?
Seems like the first day of kindergarten was just last week…
Oh, and Grandma Shelli—Belle will be fine…and she’ll have so much to tell you when she gets home…we’ll need a video, of course. (L)
I don\’t mean this to come across as insensitive…not at all, because I know firsthand about sending a grandchild to school…but I think your worries may be premature. Sparky is doing great in Kindergarten, has the whole lunch thing figured out already, and prefers for me to say goodbye and part ways a few feet from the school door rather than inside it. For all the talk at screening about her possibly being \”not quite ready\”, she\’s breezing right through her days.
I do admit I worry a little about the reaction her Mom might get the first time she goes to the school (being \”different\” as you say Ashley is), but so far, there\’s been no reason for to go to the school and there probably won\’t be a reason any time soon.
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It sounds like you’re doing a good job getting things all squared away. But you know what? I’m not going to tell you not to worry. In fact, I’d be concerned if you didn’t. Worry, sometimes, is what keeps us from making the mistakes confidence is prone to, and while we can err from worry, they’re usually not as dreadful as those made from certainty.
All of ours are moving up in years, too. Next year we’ll have two in Middle School and one in High School. That’s downright frightening.
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You said that worried since so many people were involved in Isabelle’s care, if she would adapt to school.
Since it sounds like she is around a lot of people, she should be able to adjust nicely.
Little girls are so much more fearless, and feisty than little boys. I think she will be fine.
I have been praying for you, Ashley and Isabelle, since you wrote last week that things were difficult. I will keep y’all in my prayers. (L)
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No matter what the situation, you’d probably worry a little about Isabelle starting school, because that’s what grandmas are supposed to do. She’s going to shine there. It will be one more place, but it will be consistent, and that’s what kids crave. Can’t wait to hear how it goes for her!
It takes a village to raise a child
Your doing a great job!
What a great tradition of taking pics on the first day of school.
PeggyG
I have been an elementary teacher for 15 years. If there is one thing I know is that is DOES NOT MATTER what the parent looks like!
Why? I have met all walks of life raising children. Some of the best parents were the ones who were broke, didn’t look like they bathed before coming to conferences, etc. but you know what? That child’s backpack was checked every night, the papers filled, homework completed, parent signatures when needed, reading charts filled, field trip slip money with change to pay(I’ve had pennies), and above all supported me. Oh, and the big one -putting your kid to bed at a reasonable time, getting them up on time, help them get ready, and out the door.
I could care less how many piercings, tats, or your hair color as long as you do your part in raising your kids.
I have met some of the most polished looking parents who talk the talk, but couldn’t walk the walk when push came to shove.
Teachers don’t judge parents on their tats, clothes, or hair. We do look at the child and their well being. Dark circles under the eyes, falling asleep, a little owly, can’t wait for lunch to the point where they’re are stuffing their face, yea, then I can get concerned.
So Shelli, don’t sweat it! You have it all under control!
Think, there will be how many people seeing Isabelle off to school? WOW WOW
Minneapolis Public School Teacher since 1993
PeggyG
Finn–Nah. You don’t suck. I’m just overly sentimental sometimes. Hence the blog name. LOL
Miss Britt–I know. It’s fun, too. I’m just a worry wart. LOL
Peggy–I think that’s totally perfect! It’s so fun to embarrass and annoy them sometimes.
Blogarita–I’m already worrying about the first conferences. I’m not sure how that’s going to work out, if Ashley will ban us or want us to come too. I think, given that we will be the ones helping her with her homework, we should be allowed. We had a little bit of clash this morning, so I’m not sure that is going to happen.
Simon–High school is frightening. They grow up so much in that first year. It makes me sad. And happy. I’m a sap. LOL
Heather–Thank you. I appreciate your prayers. We need them.
Suzi–I’m anxious to here how it went for her. She did fine getting on the bus. I can’t wait to get her off and see what she says about her day. (Ashley won’t be there, I guess, because she has to work. Now I don’t have to worry about her feelings if Belle chose to come to me first. In actuality, she’ll probably choose Emily because I’ll be holding the camera. And Emily’s her favorite. LOL)
PeggyG–Thanks for taking the time to reassure me with all those words. It really helps. Especially given where you work. It is a little more worrisome here, I think, because this is Middleclassopolis here in Andover. LOL I’m sure she’ll be fine.