i've thought about this day for so long! we've been talking about it for weeks, and i've been encouraging her about how wonderful it would be. a special day. amazing memories we'll have forever.
i envisioned a particular scenario- i would go wake her up for school, and she would rise with a smile. we would walk/skip hand in hand down the hall and steps, and hang out in the kitchen smiling and laughing about the day ahead. we would pose for photos on the front porch, and she would look so charming with her pigtails (my favorite) and monogrammed backpack and lunchbox in her new first-day-of-school clothes. we would drive to school and i would walk her in to her class, where she would be warmly greeted by her new teacher. she would smile kindly at all her new classmates (her potential new BFFs), and she would hold it together to give me a kiss goodbye- tentative but excited about all that lies ahead. i would leave and break down in the car because my baby is growing up! she would arrive home on the bus, and pose nicely on the bus step in front of our house so that i could take a photo she would cherish her entire life. (i rehearsed the importance of this part with her over and over.) after she gave me a huge hug and declared how much she missed me, she would proceed to tell me how fabulous kindergarten was today and how much she loved her teacher and classmates.
the reality of what happened wasn't quite what i envisioned.
she woke up in tears 30 minutes before she needed to. (yes, that would be about 6am). she climbed into bed with us, already in a bad mood and wanting to get up. attitude from minute one. we battled about the hairstyle, and the only reason she ended up in pigtails was because i bribed her with a quarter. (shoot me, i wanted pigtails for the photos). she cried because she wasn't riding the bus to school, and pouted until we left the house. what about posing for cherished family photos? nope. she wouldn't have any of that. downright REFUSED. so we're off to school. here's the photo i took when we arrived. CLASSIC.
ain't she a doll? we arrived at the classroom and took this picture with her teacher.
better, huh? that was the closest thing i got to a smile from her all day long. i introduce her to other kids in the class and she hides behind me and says she's shy. then i screw up and miss my window to leave well. you know, when you just linger a bit too long? when i did decide to leave, she started to cry. oh geez. i end up leaving the room with tears in my eyes, hoping my baby would do alright.
this afternoon i anxiously waited for the bus to arrive. i had the video camera ready and the digital camera as well. we waited at the end of our driveway (where the bus is supposed to drop her) staring down the street so we wouldn't miss her arrival. what happened? she got off DOWN THE STREET internets so we wouldn't take her picture. can you EVEN believe it? i snapped this one much to her dismay, but it's blurry. when the bus rounded our culdesac, i begged her to pose on a bus step. NOPE. not happening.
how was your day, anna katherine? "bad. it was no fun. i'm not going to kindergarten anymore. my teacher won't let us talk."
so the first day was a bit rough. we're hanging on and hoping tomorrow is different. any advice from you seasoned veterans?
16 comments:
No advice from me...but I'm just cracking up over here!! I feel like I'm reading a future blog post of mine in 5 years. I am TOTALLY one to build up events in my mind and have these high expectations. I love that you even imagined the monogrammed bookbag and pigtails and know the importance of a lifelong picture.
i really shouldn't be laughing. i really shouldn't. but i am. and have no advice. i am no help at all. i just really hope this isn't what awaits me! :)
at least you have a good story to pass down....HAHAHA.
Oh my goodness...Randel....I laughed aloud at least 5 times while reading this post. (Sympathy laugh of course). At your description of what you envisioned....great foreshadowing! And then at the pics of her....hilarious.....ha.
Sorry A.K.'s day was so bad. Things will get better, you know they will. But sorry it was so bad, for you, and for her too. That sucks. Good news...she has about 260 more tries to get used to Kindergarten. Ha. Hang in there! If having 47 kids have taught me anything...it's that they are each WIRED SO DIFFERENTLY....so adaptability isn't one of her strengths.... no problem. She has plenty of other strengths. God's hand is on her!
Oh, honey!! You are SO like me, envisioning the "perfect scenerio" only to be bummed out with what actually takes place. Hang in there -- It is never easy letting go (for you or for her)... It WILL get better, I promise!
PS -- At least school is not cancelled tomorrow on account of a hurricane!! (Sometimes not living in Orlando has it's perks, eh?)
Ohmygosh, I am laughing. It may not have been the perfect scenario, but it will be so funny to look back on. I LOVE the pouty face. Can't believe she got off down the street, too. Hopefully she'll change her mind about Kindergarten soon!
I can't believe it! She actually got off down the street to avoid a picture. Classic. I remember being terrified of school. First day I cried, clung to my mom's leg, but as time went on I wanted to go; maybe time will only tell. :)
I know that had to be a little stressful for you..but I was just laughing as I read about it :O) Just think...what a memory and story to tell in the future! On Morgan's first day in first grade she refused to let me walk her in b/c first graders are "big kids now" and yesterday T.J. begged to ride the bus on his first day too...I guess mine are wierd like that too!! All I can say is hang on, have fun and laugh a bit on the way :o) Miss ya!
Oh wow. Is this the world of girl that I have to look forward to? I must say we have yet to encounter a senario like this one with the boys...but in preschool did Anna Katherine ever punch another kid in the stomach because she wanted his color of playdoh?? Make you feel any better?
I believe we both have some strong willed children on our hands... THANK YOU LORD for these future leaders for Christ! (I'm claimin' it baby)
amy here:
hilarious, i laughed out loud!!! randel, have you met your match?
Awesome first day post. The pouty picture is PERFECT! As a seasoned vereran I wouldn't even begin to give you advice, you're doing great! Let's go to lunch?!
So far, none of the things that we thought were huge moments for Kee have lived up to the images in our head. Can't see that changing when the first day of kindergarten rolls around. But jumping off the bus down the street to avoid the photo op is genius. Sheer genius.
I'd give up and homeschool the kid.
juuust kidding. but seriously.
Wow! Are you sure she isn't headed to college next year? I shouldn't be laughing but I am and out loud. Oh girl! I ditto Amy:)
this kinda reminds me of victor's speech at your rehearsal dinner about your first day of school....the apple never falls far from the tree!!
that is funny to me b/c you put into words everything in my mind...only thing I can say is don't walk her in know that she is going to love it...eventually!!! at least you know it will be easier the second time around!
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