First Day of School 2009

Today I took my girls to school. Lily is going into 2nd grade and Alyssa is now in kindergarten, and not baby kindergarten, we are full day in Willinton!

I know that it is normal to be sad when your baby goes to kindergarten, but really I am thrilled. I joke that it's because I will be free of her or that I will be paying less for child care (which is certainly a plus), but really I am excited for her. She is a smart little cookie, and she needs a better outlet than I can give her. She also needs friends her own age. Poor thing spends all her time with bigger girls, trying to keep up and getting frustrated when she can't. And mom just is not that fun, at least not all the time.

She had her outfit all picked out. Her shirt says "I believe in fairies" and her shoes are her 'cheerleading' shoes. I told her it was going to be hot, so maybe we should leave the leggings off (plus they are all baggy, despite the fact they should be tight, on her toothpick legs), but she insisted she wear them since they are part of the outfit. Her new LL Bean packback is on backorder, so we used her Tinkerbell one and she is sporting a new Disney Princess lunchbox. I took time last night letting her pick her lunch, and explaining how lunch and snack time worked. I especially stressed the fact that there are two juice boxes in her lunch, one is for snack and one is for lunch, if she drinks them both at snack she will have none for lunch. I wonder if she remembered that part.

We got to school and were waiting in the lobby for the first bell. She wanted to go up, but we couldn't yet. She was just so excited. She had already informed me on the ride to school that she was going to go up to class by herself. (well, well) I looked around and saw many moms I knew. A few were very teary eyed and I have to admit I felt kind of bad that I wasn't. I tried to be sad at that moment, but I was just happy for her. When her teacher, Mrs. Walter, walked by to go get the other kids from the bus she invited Alyssa to go. Alyssa hopped up and headed out. I had to ask for a goodbye kiss, and off she went. I waited to see her come back through on her way to class. She waved and then proceeded to tug at the back pack of the boy in front of her and boss him around. That's my Diva.

In the meantime, I was waiting with Lily. She had asked me to walk her to class, despite the fact that she has been at this school since she was 3 (preschool as well) and was just in her class Monday. So, we waited, and talked to some of her friends.

She had picked out her own clothes and I have to admit, she looks so stylish. Not a girlie girl, but at least she loves pink. How do you like the shoes? You better, they cost me $40 on sale! They are Sketchers Twinkle Toes. If you do not have a little girl you probably have not noticed the commercials for these shoes. Both girls wanted them desperately, and Alyssa was devastated that they do not come in her size. They are like Converse, but they slip on. They also have rhinestone all over the toes. In this case they have pink rhinestones and the sides have roses, hears and skulls, in a tattoo motif. There is also a plastic rose charm that hangs off one. Lily LOVES them!!! And she loves the new haircut that I gave her in the kitchen Sunday night with a pair of kitchen shears. That's right, I have skill!

So, finally I get to take her up to class. I am thinking, "Please don't have a break down, Lily." We get there and they have to put their lunches in a bin in the hall and use wipes on their hands before they go in because one student has severe allergies. Lily knows the routine, she had him in her class last year and is always concerned that she does it right since she is a good friend. Once the routine gets going she loses all thought of mom and is off. I was so proud of her. Any of you who know her know what a milestone that is for her.

So now, at work, I look at the clock and anxiously await the time when I can call and see how their day went. Alyssa will no doubt be exhausted. Lily will probably not have much to say. And I may just get sad finally, because they go home to Dad's house today and I won't see them until Sunday night. In fact, I feel a little sad right now.