Sunday, August 22, 2010

The Way Life Should Be

That's the slogan for the Great State of Maine.

Except I'm pretty sure that 5 hours in a minivan is NOT the way "life should be."
But, boat rides and quality family time and marshmallows toasted on a campfire on a freakishly bug-free August summer night kind of is the way life should be.  The trip from MA to ME is usually well under 2 hours, but we didn't time our departure very well and it took us quite awhile to get home.  And to think I poo-pooed the DVD player that came with the minivan.  I was very glad to have it today and would like to thank Buzz Lightyear and Lightning McQueen for their role in making my time on 95 South bearable this afternoon.

We would have stayed until the morning, but my little man has to be at school for Kindergarten Orientation tomorrow.

Please excuse me while I turn into a sobbing mess.

This Kindergarten thing is hitting me really hard.  I think it's because I've seen kids come into Kindergarten and then one blink later they are off to middle school.

Sniffle. Sniffle.

Have I mentioned that he will be coming to school with me?  We live in the neighborhood that feeds into the school I teach at.  I'm really excited about the fact that I have a very special and somewhat rare opportunity to experience this.  He's a good boy who is kind to others and not at all clingy to me so I think it will be fine.  I'm sure there will be some cons along with all the pros.

You know, things like exhibiting self-control and not wiping the remainders of lunch off his face with that lick-the-thumb-and-wipe-the-cheek thing that moms like to do when I pass him in the hall.

So tomorrow I will go to school.

Not to work in my classroom, but as a mom.  And I am so THAT mom.  You know the one.  You have at least one every year.  I will bring my camera and I will make him pose for pictures next to his name tag.  Yes, THAT mom.  

That reminds me.  I need to go charge the batteries in my camera.  Later Gators!




8 comments:

ChiTown Girl said...

Aw...I remember the first day of kindergarten like it was yesterday. And, like your little one, my son attended the school where I was teaching at the time. It definitely made it convenient as far as going back and forth. And, I was able to get the most awesome picture of us together on picture day. And, it was free!! (The teachers always get their portraits for free, and the photographer was kind enough to let me take a picture with my baby.)

My baby starts his junior year of high school tomorrow. Yikes! I swear it was only a year ago that he started kindergarten. Don't blink, or you'll miss it! :(

Cyndy said...

How silly am I that I was tearing up at reading your blog... I know! LAME! I am sending my 4 year old to the preschool right next door to MY school this year and her 1st day is also my 1st day and I'm struggling... and it's not even Kinder yet! GEEZE! Sounds like you have a fun day ahead. Good luck!

Tara Singley said...

One of my girls is with me at my school. It will make things so much easier for you! I have the opportunity to teach my first grader this year. I taught my oldest when she was in second. It was such a neat experience to see her little personality in the classroom and among her friends. We have 18 first grade teachers, so it is not out of necessity. However, it is a once in a lifetime opportunity. I hope you enjoy your day tomorrow!

~Mrs. Christenberry said...

I hear you sister. I go back to school tomorrow and my little cherub will be coming with me this year. The camera is plugged in already!

I am trying your playdoh idea with my students tomorrow...just finished rolling them out!

Good luck tomorrow!!!

Anonymous said...

Maybe this will help you. My son got a spanking his first day of kindergarten. You see, he decided to MOON his class. At the school where I was an administrator. Try to live that one down! I can laugh about it now that he is in 7th grade. It was NOT funny at the time. At least not to me. It was, however, hilarious to the rest of my staff!

Kel said...

I feel your pain. My husband took a picture of me sobbing after I had just dropped off our daughter at preschool! Now she's a sophomore in high school! And I remember crying when I dropped off my son at kindergarten. He's 12 now. He promised me he'd build a time machine so I could go back......... sigh...

Ashley said...

I'm in the same boat...my daughter is starting kindergarten this year and will be in the same building as me. When I think about it, I get teary-eyed already, and we didn't even have orientation yet haha! Add the normal emotional mom reaction to the fact that I'm pregnant, and I think I will be a bit of a mess. Oh my...

Heather said...

I totally relate. My son started Kindergarten on Tuesday at my school. I love that he's with me, but it is hard trying to get work done in the afternoon when he wants to play Lego Star Wars with me! : ) I hope your boy's first day is spectacular.