Back To School: Part 2

It finally arrived.

The first day of first grade for Morgan. 

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Look at that smile! She was super excited last night, so going to bed posed a bit of a challenge. She and Coever were talking, singing, and giggling well past their bedtime.  When I went to check on them around 9:30, Coever was face down and drooling onto her Hello Kitty Pillow; Morgan was trying to shove her flashlight and Magic Tree House book under her pillow.  

"You should be asleep," I gently chided her, withdrawing the literary contraband.

"I'm just too excited to sleep!" she said.  "I'm ready to go. Right now, I'm ready."  That's really encouraging to hear.  After all the build-up of back-to-school only to have to wait another week before it can actually start? Talk about taking the wind out of your sails.  Yet, the eve before she crosses the threshold into true grade school, Morgan has an assuredness and calm below her surface excitement that belies her six years.  

I had hoped for a bright, sunny day on which to send her off, but the spatter-pattering of rain on the roof proved to be a more soothing way to get going.  There was no rushing and bustling.   Breakfast was a lackadaisical affair of Special K, fruit and juice.  Her backpack stood sentry at the front door.  Lunch had been made the night before.  Her back to school outfit had been carefully selected and adorned.

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Yeah, those boots are killer, and when I first showed them to her, she couldn't wait to tromp through the house in them.  The clouds and rain prevented us from snapping the first day pics outside, but it didn't sap Morgan's sunny disposition as she dropped her backpack to strike a pose.

"Yia-Yia, Pop-Pop!" she called to my parents, who are in town visiting, "Come look at my 1st grade pose!"

Oh yeah, she's ready to go.

Some moms I know are going to be grappling with tears and nervous tummies (their own, not their kiddos's) as they navigate carpool.  Other moms will barely bring the car to a rolling stop before kicking Jr. out to the curb ("Tuck your head! Tuck your head!").   I'd like to think I'm going to fall somewhere in the middle of the two extremes.  I'm looking forward to mornings of uninterrupted time to work, but I'm going to miss the random hugs and kisses the girls pepper me with as they skitter from one room to the next dressed up in all manner of frills and scarves.  I'll enjoy appreciate running errands where I only have to unbuckle myself and can use a basket,  but I'll miss the running dialogue that comes with two little imaginations at the helm of the race-car shopping cart.  The begging for fruitsnacks, ice cream, popcorn, free samples from the deli department and of course, multiple trips to the bathroom?  Not gonna miss that, but I digress.

I'd like to think I've provided both girls with a pretty awesome summer, one that they've thoroughly enjoyed and memories of which will last them well into the school year.  I wouldn't say that the first day of school snuck up on us -- c'mon, we've been doing a countdown calendar since the last day of school -- but it's hard to believe it's already here. My girls are growing up and I'm amazed at who they've become in such a short period of time.  I mean, what did I think was going happen if I loved on them, nurtured them, encouraged them, and worked on making them thoughtful, independent, young ladies with strong character?

Two little ladies ready for anything, including the first day of school.
Hold on while I pat myself on the back (kidding, kidding). (no, I'm not). (no, I'm kidding).(sort of).

PS. If you have a chance, check out my friend Libby's thoughts on sending her little boy off to kindergarten.