One small step becomes one giant leap
The first day of school.
Those words usually bring to mind a crisp fall morning, not a sweltering summer afternoon. But it’s the latter – a warm July day, just after noon – that characterizes Tacy’s first day of kindergarten.
Her new backpack nearly engulfs her, covering much of the special dress she held in reserve for this day. Inside it, she has carefully placed a single folder – decorated with iridescent butterflies – and her “homework” assignment, given to her when she met her teacher earlier this week.
Up until now, she’s been palpably excited, without a hint of nervousness. But as she watches the other kindergarteners gather, I can tell that she’s feeling a bit unsure.
I know how much she wants to impress her teacher, to make friends, to always know all the right answers. It’s what I always wanted too.
So I know how deeply it will hurt the first time her teacher reprimands her. The first time a sought-after girl snubs her. The first time she thinks she has the right answer, only to be told that she doesn’t.
Because those times are inevitable. And I won’t be with her to help build herself back up. She’ll have to do that on her own.
I can only hope that her father and I have given her sufficient reason to believe in herself – to know that even the best of us need guidance, cherish independence, and make mistakes now and then. None of these are a negative reflection on her – merely what we all must face, no matter how grown up we may feel we’ve become.
July 12th, 2007 at 12:45 pm
Oh, how sweet, and bittersweet. She looks adorable. (You look great too!)
But, why oh why is kindergarten starting in JULY?
July 12th, 2007 at 12:53 pm
She is so precious with that backpack!
I so hear you on sending these girls out into the big bad world…it’s tough, but we have to believe in both them and ourselves.
July 12th, 2007 at 12:54 pm
i second the “july? wtf?” sentiment.
i just did a similar post this week, and bob’s school won’t even start til 8/20.
July 12th, 2007 at 1:10 pm
She looks so sweet….OK this post brought tears to my eyes Julie!!!
Caitlin starts kindergarten August 13. I know she is very ready. I’m not sure that I am.
July 12th, 2007 at 2:01 pm
Me too! That made me well up. You nailed it. I hope she had a good afternoon, without any of those things. One big thing at a time.
July 12th, 2007 at 2:39 pm
School in July?? What is this country coming to?
She looked completely adorable, though. Congrats on the first day of school to you all.
July 12th, 2007 at 2:41 pm
I would say you both have on lovely back to school outfits.
Congrats on the next step…
July 12th, 2007 at 3:07 pm
what a beautiful post. i wish i had been blogging when my kids passed through certain milestones so i would have my thoughts and feelings recorded. this will be something you can look back on to bring back the memories.
July 12th, 2007 at 4:53 pm
She is a doll!
Isn’t it hard to let them go and learn on their own! Ugh, my oldest is still a year away from preschool and I am not ready!!!
July 12th, 2007 at 4:56 pm
I love her first day of school dress. And Mayberry is absolutely right. I know you guys did a great job preparing her.
July 12th, 2007 at 5:22 pm
We’re getting ready for this big step ourselves. Scary. And I thought we started early in August. But July? Is yours a year round school system?
July 12th, 2007 at 5:37 pm
She looks lovely! How did she like it?
July 12th, 2007 at 5:43 pm
Ha, our district went all old school (literally) and aren’t starting until after Labor Day. So SUCK.IT.
Oh, wait, that’s actually not a positive. Never mind.
(sorry I can’t get into the whole kindergarten sentimentality, I’ve got a 4th grader so I’m long over it. And I’m a guy.)
July 12th, 2007 at 6:27 pm
I clearly remember my first day of school. All good memories.
I hope the same for her.
July 12th, 2007 at 8:08 pm
i linked to your post on my current post. i hope that’s ok. if not, let me know and i’ll take the link out. no problem.
July 12th, 2007 at 11:01 pm
Kindergarten already? Wow! You both look great. I love seeing the little ones trotting down the sidewalk to the neighborhood school. Some of them don’t look big enough to carry their backpacks yet!
July 13th, 2007 at 5:34 am
Wow. July? Is this public school? Does the school year end in March or something?
Tacy looks darling. Have you read “The Kissing Hand”?
July 13th, 2007 at 6:31 am
Kim, Declan’s PreK teacher read them The Kissing Hand ans then we all made puzzles from it last year. I nearly lost it into a puddle of tears.
And J – did I know that Tacy was starting K this year??? For some reason I thought she was going to 1st grade! You know what this means???? Declan and Tacy are both class of 2020! ROCK ON SISTER.
I will just copy and paste this post in almost exactly a month from now. Hugs.
July 13th, 2007 at 6:38 am
What sweet photos!
And yes…I just sent my 8yo off to all day day camp on Monday. Which doesn’t seem like a big deal, but it’s a hour ride there and back and her first time really mixing in with bigger girls. She was so nervous the first day. Then the second day, I could tell that she had taken in so much already in regards to how she does fit in and how she doesn’t, and could see her trying to make adjustments. Which is inevitable – and even healthy – but, oh…anyone whose gone through middle school can see where this positive peer pressure could go wrong.
Anyway…congrats on the Kindy gal! I’m sure she’s well-prepared and knows that even if you aren’t there right away to help her through any doubts, you’ll be there when she gets home.
July 13th, 2007 at 7:01 am
I hope the school days are good, and the disappointments very few.
I’m surprised that school is starting now. That doesn’t happen here.
Cas
July 13th, 2007 at 8:31 am
I hope she had a great day! Hope Mom did, too!
July 13th, 2007 at 1:25 pm
Any girl starting kindergarten with a mom like you and a dress like that is bound to be a success.
Good luck to her!! (And hey, to you, too!)
July 13th, 2007 at 7:32 pm
It’s my first time here but I wanted to say that was beautiful.