Their eyes were big as we pulled into the parking lot. They grabbed their backpacks and held my hands tightly as we walked into the building.
“Can you stay with me?” Henry asks, as we make our way through the gym to the far side where the first graders sat, waiting.
“No, buddy. I have to take Ivy to her class, and I’m going to stay with her. You’ve done this before.”
A few seconds later, his teacher walks up behind us and greets him the way only teachers can, with kindness and understanding, and a knowing look when our eyes meet.
“Do you want to find some friends to sit by?” she asks him.
“No, I want to sit with you” he responds, taking her hand. And with that, I kiss him on the cheek, tell him he’s going to have a fun day, and hand in hand with Ivy, walk back across the gym.
***************************************************************
The brand new kindergartners are lined up, sitting cross-legged on the floor of the cafeteria while kids eat breakfast on the other side.
She grips my hand tighter as I point out her friends from preschool and ask her if she wants to sit by them.
She doesn’t, but she puts on a brave face.
After a few minutes of standing next to each other behind the line, I squat down and ask her again if she wants to find a place with her classmates. She attempts to sit on my knee, catching me by surprise, and falls to the floor.
Embarrassed, but not hurt, the tears come.
And with that, her brave face has all but disappeared.
We hold hands for a few more minutes while the two kindergarten classes separate. We walk to the far line, behind a friend that she spent all last year with, and the two teachers start taking pictures that I know will end up on the end-of-school slideshow.
We both duck out of the pictures, until her teacher sees the look on her tear-stained face. Asking for her help, she grabs Ivy’s hand and leads her away. Finally, she stands for a picture with a small smile and a boy’s arm around her shoulders and I step back, watching until the lines head off to their first day in their new classroom.
Oh, I remember those firsts. It seems it's a bit easier now that they are older but reading this tugs at my heart. I have yet to go through with it all with my Little One. Sigh…
Oy. Two more for me. But it does get easier, yes? Please yes?
I know I'm supposed to say "Big kids!" and all that, but they seem so little now that I'm a parent myself. There is no way my kid is going off to school in a few years. No way. Not til he's like, 13.
The bus, the cafeteria, my little bitty Ivy??? UGH. But she's already having so much fun. And LOVES the bus.
Awww, my heart!! This doesn't get easier, does it?
Someday..I hope?
Sounds like both Ivy and Henry ended up with wonderful teachers. The adjustment is so hard on everyone on that first day when they are little. It’s a big world out there and at their age it is even bigger. I hope the rest of the week has gone well for them.
They both seem to be great teachers. I had never seen or met Henry's until Tuesday night, but she puts him at ease at least.
I love that, "It's a big world out there and at their age it is even bigger." Perfectly said, Kristen. They did have a much better day today (or I should say, it started more smoothly).
I can't believe your kids are already back to school. I love your photo montage of each one. SO cute!
I know! When do you get out? We're mid-May. We definitely seem like the minority that's already back!
Thanks, Bruna!
Oh my gosh…I am tearing up. I'm a year away from kindergarten and already anticipating this day. They both look adorable! Hope the first day went well. 🙂
Oh my gosh…when I took Henry to kindy last year….he made me stay with him until school started, for like, a week. I couldn't leave him until he went to his classroom. He's so social, but gets so scared. Breaks my heart!
Thanks, Elena! Their day got better…..morning is the worst. 🙂
Greta? This is one of the most stunning pieces EVER!
Happy first day to your sweeties and oh to your sweet mama heart, too!
Thank you, Galit! My heart is mending (for now) and they're getting used to school again. 🙂
You did well Mama! It must of been hard for you. I still can’t believe my little one is going to preschool. I have a long way to go! But I can only imagine how scarey new schools are for all kids!
It was hard (still is)! Preschool is the first step in this difficult process. And yeah, it's scary for the kids, and when I think about that, it breaks my heart. Good luck to you, mama!
I hope your kids had a great first day! I have a soon-to-be 1st grade boy also, who likes all the same things as Henry. 🙂
I bet they would get along famously! They did have a good first day. Ivy was all smiles when she got off the bus! Henry, well….he's not that fond of school in general. He'd rather stay home and build Legos. 🙂
And… cue bawling. This is too sweet. We start first grade in our house in another week. It goes so fast!
Aw, thanks. 🙂 Good luck to you next week! I'll be on twitter if you need some support!
I had to drop my guy off at Kindergarten yesterday (for his first day!) in a rush because we were running late. But once I was back in the car and calmed down, I shed a few tears. It's just such a big deal to me to be starting full time school because there is NO looking back… (well, u know what i mean…) Hugs!
I know what you mean! Henry was just telling me this morning that he didn't want to go to school all day. 🙁 I told him sorry, but you're in first grade now!
I hope that they both had magical first days of school.
They survived, at least. Ivy LOVED the bus, which was great!
Oh boy that had me near tears. My eldest will be starting first grade this year while my youngest still has one more year of preschool. I love the first day of school pictures with their favorites written out. I may have to do that for my kiddos at the start of our school year (only two more weeks of summer for us – eeep!)
We start so early! But we also get out early. I thought the pictures would be fun to look back on, and compare year to year. You can never write down too many tidbits of their childhoods!
First grade is so…..BIG. Like Elaine said, there's no going back. *sob*
What a day! It certainly was one for the heart strings. Sounds like you handled it very well. I hope that the year goes smoothly for Ivy and her tears were short lived. The first days are always tough. So many new unknown things and full of possibilities. For our children and us!!
I did my best. Ivy loves school and always has fun, so she'll be just fine when she gets into a groove. Henry…not so much. I think we'll be doing a school tug-of-war until he graduates. :/
Wow. Such sweetness and innocence. I loved these moments you captured. The words and the pictures are both amazing.
Thanks, Natalie. They are so innocent, and unassuming, and SMALL. SO small. 🙁
Yup, I'm in tears.
You and me both, sister.
This had a lump in my throat pretty much the whole time. We just took biggest to meet his new teacher and once again I felt terrified for him and me and the new school year. When does this get better?!?
Eh, I can't handle it! How is it summer is nearly over? Luckily in my neck of the woods I still have just under four weeks left, and I do plan to suck it all in!
Oh Greta! A new school year is such a big deal when they're little. Pretty sure my middle-schooler is over it.
[…] week of school, I told Henry that I would walk him to the gym door, but I wouldn’t take him all the way to his class’ section. He has to be able to walk in without […]
Oh, my heart is pounding just reading this. It's so hard to drop them off. Your writing is just perfect. I felt like I was in the room when she slipped of your lap. Poor thing! So glad you linked up!!
Tears are running down my face. Powerful writing for an emotional moment. I love how you captured their favorites on their photos – such a great idea!
Thank you so much, Cheryl. It was really hard for this mama's heart to take. And thanks! I hope to keep up with the "favorites" each year.
Those "brave faces" really are so brave – that first day of school can be so scary! I remember well it myself. I hope your kids are doing great and that the apprehension is behind them!