Her clothes are laid out, pink horse shirt and denim skirt. Her backpack is crammed full of pencils, paper, crayons and scissors. Her lunch order has been placed and her shoes wait by the door. She, my baby girl, is outside enjoying her last day of freedom, while I am in the bathroom, trying to stop the tears from falling.
Tonight was open house at my daughter’s school, and tomorrow is her first day of kindergarten. I have had all Summer to prepare her, to prepare myself, and now I am pleading for more time. We need one more month of late night bike rides and swimming trips. We need at least another week of lazy mornings and sunny afternoons. And, I desperately need one more night to accept that this Big, Beautiful girl:
is no longer this sweet, baby girl
God Help me! Where are the Kleenex’s?
I remember and now have to send my youngest off to college at the end of the month
-you really start school early – does not start here until labour day
How are you coping? Any words of advice?
And, yeah, our school does start back early! I have a coworker from NY and he was shocked our school started so early.
It is not easy – I am already missing him and he will not be leaving for a couple more weeks –
Advice–I have none–we just get through it
True! I guess that’s the only thing we can do! Thanks!
You and she are both going to do great. But do yourself a favor and take some pictures together. This monumental occasion will be a distant memory before you can blink. What a great day.
It amazes me, Elena, how fast they grow! Don’t you know anyway to slow them down, pause time for moment! Thanks for the advice!
I know it goes by fast! She’s beautiful. Her baby picture is precious, too. Parenting is always bitter sweet. You want them to grow up, but you also wish you could just freeze time. My youngest son will be in first grade.
Thank you so much and I could not agree with you more! I love watching them grow up, but I would love to freeze time as well! I hope your youngest is looking forward to the 1 st grade!
She is so beautiful!!!!!
Thank you so much!
Oh, you are going to be OK. New experiences and new thrills will come to take away the past. It really is a wonderful thing to watch a child grow at every age!
I always admire your outlook on life! You make look for the silver lining! Thank you!
Dear Life,
I can feel for you! MY baby starts school in two short weeks!
Boo HOO!
And he’s my last.
So, it makes it so much tougher.
But, I know with my two older children, it really IS fun to watch them grow. They are 11 and 12, doing and saying the most wonderful things.
It’s such a priviledge to raise children.
Love, Lis
xoxox
Aww, I feel a little bit better now! Thank you and good luck to your youngest! I hope the little one’s first day of school goes smoothly!
My son started high school yesterday and for the first time after dropping him off, I felt a little panicky. I’ve never been “that mom” shedding a tear for milestones but somehow this one tugged at my heart! Parenting is a constant struggle between letting go and hanging on.
You have it together, my dear! I would have been a wet, slobbering mess! Good luck to your child as he starts this new journey!
Such adorable photos! Hopefully your little one will just love kindergarden, and that will lessen the sting a bit. PS I’ve nominated you for the beautiful blog award! http://wp.me/p2myYW-lR
Oh, thank you so much! I always feel honored when a blogger I admire nominates me for an award!
I totally identify with you…my second child just started kindergarten this year, too, and I’m missing him so much. The days are long, but the years are short.
…The days are long and the years are way too short. Do mommies ever stop missing their children??