The day started with it's normal fiasco self. I had to go to the shed to find something for Daughter #1, who was having difficulty getting herself motivated to get out of bed, and discovered that Hubby had forgotten to close the shed door and Duff (that's the big outdoor dog) who has been having trouble with the back door trots, had gotten into a bag of garbage and there was garbage everywhere. I gingerly stepped over the garbage and thought Hubby can clean this up since he left the door open. Just then two chickens tried to scurry past but in their panic they slammed into my legs in a last ditch effort to reach the safety of the outdoors beyond my legs. All I could think was, "Great! Chicken poo on everything." But as luck should have it I must have caught them early enough that there was no chicken poo to clean up except for one blob by the door. (I knew they were up to something).
Back in the loonie bin... uuuh... I mean house, everyone was up as Hubby had started to sing in a falsetto voice very loud, "Oh What A Beautiful Morning"!!!! I gave a sigh and started getting breakfast. Daughter #2 came down first with a big smile as she had been anticipating the first day of school and couldn't wait to get there so she could see all her friends again. Then Hubby came down and started annoying everyone who was up.... last came Daughter #1 with a sour look on her face and the worst possible cloths on. She had on jeans the were too small and showed the crack of her hind quarters and an old jacket the didn't meet the top of her jeans and had a stain on one boob. Her head looked like it had never seen a comb. Ok... how to bring up the topic of her appearance without having all hell break loose???
Mom: "Um sweetheart, you are not wearing those jeans to school and your top is dirty. Where's the nice new clothes I bought you last spring?"
Daughter #1: You never bought me any pants... just culottes. I'm not wearing culottes to school."
Mom: "I thought I had bought you nice pants! And I know I bought you nice tops."
Daughter #2: "Yeah she got you that nice red one... I'll lend you some jeans or pants if you want."
Daughter #1: "grunt!"
Breakfast was eaten with a barrage of conversation about the nasty dreams they had all had about the first day of school. I only wished I had slept at all... which I didn't by the way. (certainly to God the werewolf thing should be over by now... we are almost at half a moon!) Finally we got Daughter #1 sorted out with her clothes... and she is right. She does need some jeans. One more thing that I have to put on my list of things to get. Argh!
We went out on "My Deck" and took the obligatory first day of school pictures and everyone put on false smiles.... and then we headed off to town. Here's what they look like...
Afterwards I asked the girls to pose the way that wanted to that would show how they felt about the first day of school. Here are those pictures....
When we got to the school, Hubby gave me a kiss and headed into work. Daughter #2 gave me a kiss and headed off to stand by the door until the school door opened. I saw her as I pulled away towering over all the elementary kids. Looking very grown up. Daughter #1 gave me a kiss and said, "Mom, should I take my binder with me or just leave it behind? We aren't going to need it today since it is just a half day."
At this point I realized that Daughter #1 was nervous. You see, this was the first day for her entering the high school end of the school. She didn't really know what was ahead and she was looking for a way to prolong her life in a safe zone (our truck) before stepping off the abyss into a world of the unknown. Daughter #1 has never been the most adventuresome kid on the block and so just changing the entry which you go into the school and having a different way of doing things has the power to overwhelm her.
I gave her a hug and said, "take your binder it will give you something to do with your hands while you wait and then when they assign you a locker you can leave it there and that's one less thing you have to take with you tomorrow". She got out of the truck squared her shoulders and, I called out as she walked away... "Have a good day." I pulled away from the curb and as I drove away I saw a lovely young lady with black dress pants and a red top holding her binders under her arm enter the front door of the school and thought I can't believe my little girl is so grown up.
Why can't I stop them from getting any older, and from growing up..... it's just not fair!
When I returned to pick them up later in the morning, Daughter #2 was still towering over everyone in the elementary end.... she is starting to tower over everyone in the whole school. She looks very grown up but at least she still acts like a kid.
Hubby was grinning as usual. I think he is looking forward to getting back to the grind as 'renovations' has become his new dirty word.
Daughter #1 was opening her locker.... and helping her friend open hers since she was having trouble. I asked her how it all went and she looked at me very disdainfully, "Mom, you worry too much. It was fine... except I have to have gym class with my sister."
I thought if that's the worse thing that could happen then I can breathe a sigh of relief.
I hope they will do me proud. Most important of all is that I come through this with well adjusted, happy girls. Of course 'As' are always welcome too.
I wish I could have had the camera close though because I will never forget the image of that tall girl by the entry door towering over the little kids and the lovely young lady in red with the binders under her arm, getting the door held open for her by some fellow with a back pack slung over his shoulder.
Where did my little girls go?
1 comment:
don't even talk to me about it. you have no idea how empty my nest is feeling this year. or maybe you do know. :*(
Post a Comment