I suppose that we have known for over a year that today would be the first day of school. With that knowledge, I am not quite sure why we waited until the day before to get school supplies. And tennis shoes. Because waiting that long meant waiting in long lines at Tar-jay. Where I never have to wait in lines. Except the day before school. It also meant that Tar-jay had no shoes. Not one single pair of tennis shoes. Which actually made the girls happy because they only want to wear their Crocs.
We packed Madalyn's backpack last night. This morning she picked out her snack. And she has not been able to stop talking about going back to school. She's been counting down the hours and minutes. And she was beside herself with excitement when we saw her teacher at Tar-jay. It was like a celebrity sighting.
Then this morning, they put on their first day of school outfits. You know. The ones that I get to pick out for this day. Only this day. And our photography session began..jpg)
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Have I mentioned that I have strange children?Even the kitties knew that something interesting was going on outside.
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Apparently Madalyn cannot decide if she wants to be a muscle man or a flamingo..jpg)
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And then the bus pulled up. And I got my camera out to capture her taking her first steps onto her yellow limo. And I am looking through the camera. And my child does not appear in my view finder. Where is she? Both boys get on. .jpg)
But no Madalyn.
I put down my camera and she is right in front of me. Telling me that she is not going to get on the bus. But that I am going to drive her to school. I don't believe I said anything. I just stared at her. Incredulous. And she repeated "I want you to drive me to school." And I think I continued to stare at her. My child who loves school. Who loves the bus. Who was counting down the seconds. Who never showed a hesitation until this very moment.
And then I was rescued by one of the other moms. Who took her by the hand and led her to the bus. Where the driver waited patiently for the drama to play out. Where Madalyn declared "Oh, FINE!" And got on the bus. And I didn't get a picture of her taking that step.
Are you excited about school starting? Do you have traditions to celebrate this happiest time of the year?
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38 comments:
The only tradition we have is that I see her off (this year it was on the bus, in the past, it was me driving her) and we take a first day of school pic.
We always do that first day of school picture too. I have friends who always take it in the same place - so you can see how they grow and how the tree grows. But I am not that organized!
I have first day of school photos for all my girls, too! I'm always so happy when school restarts - mine went back last Monday.
Madalyn rocks...especially in her fab back-to-school outfit.
But no, I am not looking forward to August 21...Caroline & I will be so bored once Libbey's a first grader. Sigh...
Yikes!! You and Teri with the whole back to school thing.... I'm not ready. I'm not ready. I'm not ready. So I'm gonna go stick my head in the sand like an ostrich (as if they really did that. which they don't, btw) and put my fingers in my ears and sing la-la-la and pretend like school's not really right around the corner...
ps. the girls look AWESOME. you pick good clothes, Kat!
How adorable are they? That's so funny that she's so excited to go and then won't get on the bus! I think you need to give some baked goods to that quick thinking Mommy tomorrow! She earned it!
So, are you lonely now, or are you enjoying the quiet? :) Are you ready to hear the never ending school recap tonight?
We do the picture thing every year, too. Also the last day of school. I posted my pix already this morning. I am amazed I got it done so early. You and I, we rock.
Bobbi--I love this day. I wish I knew enough of my neighbors to arrange a party!
Lula--I will tell Madalyn that you approve of her outfit. My one day to pick it out. And tomorrow she'll be back to interesting mis-matched outfits.
Susan--We started with Katie this morning too. If she finishes quickly our community pool is open. The one that is like the water park. And it will be filled with toddlers and homeschoolers. Can't wait.
Jaci--I am not lonely at all. My oldest is homeschooled - so we started that today, too. This is why I blog. And crave adult conversation. Because I am never alone!
You are right, though. I do need to do something for that mom that got her on the bus! I wonder what Madalyn was thinking...or if she will even tell me when she gets home!
Teri--I need to head over to your blog to see. I am pretty impressed with getting this up. Like blogging while it was happening!
I have a standing first day of school coffee/breakfast date.
And I always have a back to school tea for my mom friends.
What sweet girls! Our school starts next Wednesday and I think we are ready ???? This will be Connor's first year where he goes all day! He's very excited...as am I :) Can't wait to hear how the day was :)
I just lost my whole comment!!
Anyway, what I said, sort of, was...
Madalyn looks so cute in her back to school outfit. It matches!! Where did you find the matching backpack and top???
Katie looks pretty darn spiffy as well !! :-)
I admit it, I'm a terrible Mum. I don't have any back to school pictures of my kids. Mind you, they wore school uniforms and their backpacks were prety blaaah in those days.
When I get back to NZ, I intend redeeming myself with the grandkids and I will post plenty of back to school photos. How's that? :-)
Your Madalyn is hilarious. I love the muscle man arms and the flamingo pose.
I like that Katie gets a first day of school outfit too, even though she stays home. Both outfits were very cute.
My kids just got shoes at Payless for $11 each...they are in heaven and so am I. lol
We have two weeks til school starts. Love the pictures! Funny about the bus. children.
We haven't started school yet here and seing as I don't have kids, I celebrate by waking up earlier so I can get to work on time. Those school busses can hold up some traffic. ;)
I wonder what spoke Miss Madalyn into not wanting to get on the bus. hmm. she is so unpredictable! so does Katie start today too? are you up to your earlobes in PTA stuff today? Is Johny Mathis singing...it's the most tiiiiiiime...of the yearrrrrr?
can't wait--to more weeks!
Umm Sept 2nd is my happy day!
It's happy and weird, I dread the homework and the paperwork that I have to fill out, people... I have four kids in three different schools, and we don't have school buses. My kids walk and fight on the way to school.
Tradition? Umm I wake up before them, does that count?
Madelyn is looking good in that new outfit.
My back to school tradition is as follows: get everything ready the night before; go to bed at a decent hour; toss and turn until 2 AM thinking of all I didn't get done; worry about the kids at the new sitter; snooze 2 times because I JUST fell asleep; get ready fast; get both kids ready fast; leave something at home like my lunch. Hopefully I won't get a speeding ticket like my BFF John Deere Mom did last year. ;)
Cute pics! The bus is a scary issue for our 6th graders coming to middle school for the 1st time. It was a busy day.
We don't start school until after Labor Day. Our school traditions: Get school supplies at the beginning of August...did that last week. Get clothes and shoes...haven't done that yet...get haircuts...nope haven't done that...I think I am in such disbelief that the summer is almost over that I am procrastinating! I won't wait until that last day to do it all though, I wait until the second to last day...
Oh and we always take a first day of school pic...
Love the drama and the recap! Your girls are adorable!
My second boy starts on Wednesday. I'm not as sad as I thought I'd be---but I can't exactly say I'm enjoying it. Boy #1 is already coming home spouting a bunch of !@#$% I'd rather he not know.
It all feels better now that I'm listening to Should I Stay or Should I Go though :).
YOur girls are darling---hamming it up and all!
Funny, how someone else can get our kid to do or try something that we can't. It's frustrating sometimes. As is, all those missed photos. Yea, I have that problem,too.
Great pictures of your sweet girls. What a surprise Madalyn gave you, but I do understand it. :)
You home school, too? We have done everything here! Now our youngest four children are all in public school (for the past two years) and I am working as a para educator at the middle school.
I see you have a top commenter named Joyce. I am also Joyce, so I'll be Joyce T. :)
I tried to comment earlier, but my work connection went all hinkey on me...may be 'cause I was supposed to be working?!
We do the 1st day of school pics also...yours turned out great! I hope the first days went well!!
I live in texas and going into 9th grade and our first day of school is August 25th. Did yall already start? I really like your blog!
Check out mine! http://thecrazylizard.blogspot.com/
Hey I was wondering how you strike through the text, I also have blogspot.
I am SOOOO looking forward to preschool starting back up next week. This will be Big A's second year and Little A's first. They're both really excited and I'm looking forward to a little down time. I'm looking forward to snapping that first pic of Little A walking through that big school door. Sniffle.
Gina--Maybe I need to get my act together and do a tea on the first day of school next year. With margaritas.
Staci-- When she got home I asked her how her day was. And she (in her "duh" voice) says it was the best ever. Because it was the first day of school. And I asked her about the bus...and she says she just didn't want to ride it. That it's too loud. (I am thinking that she might be the loudest...)
Karen--Actually the backpack and shirt do not match. I suppose they look similar in the picture. The shirt is from Limited, too and the back pack from Tar-jay. She refused to use the back pack from last year. AND won't hear of me putting it in the consignment sale.
Yes...go take pictures of the grands going off to school...
Rhea--Katie was none too happy to be part of my first day of school photo session. She wanted to wear her pajamas! But...we started school today, too...so she takes part. Just no picture of her getting on a bus. Or refusing to get on a bus. Madalyn says I should go to the bus stop tomorrow for a picture of her getting on!
Scargosun--My husband has to do the same thing. He drives through several school zones on the way to work...so this week he has to leave earlier than normal while all the kinks are worked out...
CindySue--I am still not sure what set her off this morning about the bus. Unpredictable is her middle name. Or was it Grace? My PTA stuff doesn't really start until September - when I get the first month of sign in sheets. Today I was working on getting all my consignment stuff bagged, tagged, and hung up. That will be the plan for the whole week...
IM--I am dreading the homework as well. Our afternoons are so packed anyway. And then the fight to get her to do her work...and still have time to play...it's a struggle.
Finding Normal/Debbie--I didn't know Angie got a speeding ticket - hopefully she won't repeat that! And I wish for you to have a moment of zen on your night before school :-)
Joye--Was today your first day too? How do your classes look?
Debbie--My kids think summer is over already. I can't believe they go back in August. And then they get lots of people that move to the area who think school starts after Labor Day. It's hard to catch them up sometimes when they have been in school for 3 weeks already. And a few of our neighboring counties started 2 weeks ago!
Jennifer--I am so glad someone was amused by my musical selection. I keep meaning to add the song I used as an edit to the posts. But I get distracted.
What kinds of things is he coming home with?
Becky--Madalyn has already proposed that I go to the bus stop again to take a picture. While in the same breath telling me that she really wants to be a car rider. I hate that I missed the "real" event!
Joyce--Yep, we live in both worlds. It's insanity...but a brand that works for us!
Kelly--I think blogger was down for a bit. My entire gmail was inaccessible too. What a pain.
Mac--Well, hello! And welcome. I tried to type out the instructions for it, but blogger doesn't allow strike throughs in the comments...so it is confused. If you go to my profile page, you can click on the email button, and I'll email you the instructions...
Angie--I loved preschool days. When each year I could add a day that they would go. And I so needed that me time. I am not a sentimental person...but when Madalyn got on the bus for the first time last year...I did tear up :-)
Wow school starts early for you. I read this post this morning and thought, "Go get your school shopping done before it turns nightmarish." So we went and...it was nightmarish anyway. Apparently some schools start this week here too (we don't start until the 26th). So I got backpacks, lunchboxes, and a few pairs of jeans. I still have SOOO much left and I am just dreading it. I LOVE that you get your homeschooled daughter back to school clothes and such too. If it were me, it would be pj's every day. (See why I'm not a homeschool mom? I seriously hope my kids never need me to do it; it would be a trial for me.)
First day of school pictures.. love it.
I used to LOVE the first day. My mom would roll our hair in those pink sponge curlers the night before. I would hardly sleep, so excited. New supplies, new clothes, new teacher... ah, those were the days.
I miss those days. I used to take a picture of my kids on the first day of school all the way through high school and on to their first day of college.
You can always read "The kissing hand" with your daughter. It's a picture book about a racoon who takes his mother's kisses to school with him in his hand because he'll miss her. A really cute story. I'm sure Madalyn might be too old for it, but it's a fun read and would work with the back to school theme this time of year.
Can you tell I'm a librarian? :-)
raccoon. . . the real species.
racoon... the I'm a dork version and can't spell properly the first time:-)
My oldest girls 1st day of school is tomorrow... oops, actually today (guess I should get to bed). Little Miss has her first phase-in day of Kindergarten on Wed.
We do the same things... the girls get to wear a new outfit and I'll take pics before we leave for school.
I am so ready for this school year to start!
I loved this post! I loved her drama! HEHEH HMM I guess I will have to come up with some sort of traditions now that I have a kiddo in school!
I can always tell when school is back in session when the traffic starts getting all gnarly and I am late to work all the time.
Since we homeschool, we don't have the normal bus/school clothes/school supply traditions.
We have "Not Back To School Day" instead.
Every year on the first day of public school, we head to Marie Calendar's restaurant for breakfast (and pie ;), then head to Borders where we ALWAYS find books to bring home. We round out the day going to the movies.
This will be our 7th year doing it, and it's one of our favorite family traditions!
Our first day of school is next Monday. It will be a big, no HUGE, first day. My oldest is starting his first day of highschool. My second will be starting his first day of middle school (which is grades 6-8 here). My baby boy (or number 3) will be starting his first day of Kindergarten. That only leaves me home all day with my one and only girl. Most years I take a picture of the kids getting on the bus, or waiting at the bus stop, but not this year. Sam's bus comes at 6:30am, Chris' comes at 7:30am and I'm walking Todd to school. Okay so Todd will actually have a ton of pictures taken. I think the first day is harder on me than them...they are all excited!
No traditions here but the girls get excited when the ps kids return to school. The stores aren't as busy! hee hee
I used to LOVE the first day of school.
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