Sunday, August 30, 2009

First Day of the Rest of Your (academic) Life

There has been a lot of anticipation for the first day of school. All summer long we have counted the days to his first day of school. He is not going to a trusted relative or friend for a few hours where I will receive a complete run down of the day's activities or funny things he said and did when I pick him up. No. He is in the care of a complete stranger. A total and utter stranger.

The first day was thrilling for him and really really sad for me - well, sad in a good way. Sad that I no longer have my little buddy with me all day but he has to grow up, we can't hold on to him forever.... at least that's what THEY say. No, its true and I don't want to cling onto him - but this really snuck up fast!

get ready elementary school, here he comes!

his dad walking him in

at his class's table

saying goodbye (that smile was so fake, i was crying on the inside)


'look! there's my mom!'
or the more accurate:
'look! there's my mom's camera!'

a sight for sore eyes.

While Gabriel is at school, Ethan and I sit together, looking blankly at one another as though we have no idea what to do with each other. By Friday, we were getting the hang of it - we played play doh for 2 hours. Solid. He had a grand old time.

He asks for his brother a lot.

"Where Gabe?"

"We go get Gabe now."

"Come on. Let's get Gabe."

"Gabe at school. We go get Gabe. Now. Come on."

On our way to pick Gabriel up from school.
He cannot contain his excitement.

On the fourth day of school, I was walking Gabriel to his table and we passed a lady in the hall. He looks up at her with a huge smile and says, "Good morning!" She returns his salutation. His grin is redirected at me and he says, "That's Miss Washington. She teaches computers."

What just happened? My child knows an adult that I don't know!!! An adult I didn't introduce him to. He can now learn (some manners) to introduce me to adults.

This.is.so.weird.

I remember in the beginning of his life, how strange it was to be known as "Gabriel's mom" instead of by my actual name and that is like second nature to me now. Hopefully this adjustment period will fly by.

When Gabriel was 2 and a half I couldn't get him to stop using his binky. On one particular day, my MIL was visiting. She witnessed first hand the Battle of the Binky and feeling sorry for him as he sobbed and wept, screamed and kicked; she encouraged me to give it to him. Her argument was, "he won't still be using it when he goes to kindergarten or anything." Staring at those big school doors, waiting for him to come out I realized, she was right. But back then, this day seemed so far off.

Friday night he was exhausted. He had a head ache. Like a man coming home from a tough week at work, he wanted to veg in front of the tv. He laid down and I said, "guess what? Tomorrow is Saturday. I won't wake you up at 6:30 so you can sleep in as long as you want!" He smiled and chuckled. Not a little kid giggle, but a man chuckle - from his gut.

Saturday morning rolled around. He stayed in his pj's until 10:30. He asked me, "Are you taking me to school at all today?"

No.

"Or tomorrow?"

No.

"Oh man! But I love school!"

Tomorrow begins a whole new week of school. And the beginning of my attempts to infiltrate the PTA. I better brush up on my foreign policy and health care retorts.

13 comments:

Debby@Just Breathe said...

What a sweet post. They grow up fast. My son really liked school, my daughter not so much. My son's kindergarten teacher told me that he puts too much pressure on himself. Well now he has a great job at Cedars Sinai Medical Center.
I am so glad that your son likes it. I wish him great success. It's not easy letting go.

Casey said...

Oh, what a little man you have over there! I'm glad he's loving it. My kids start their 3 half days a week tomorrow and I'm trying to infiltrate the PTA too.

Lisa @ Boondock Ramblings said...

I'm not there yet and I don't want to be. Oh isn't that awful sounding? I just mean that I am going to be such an emotional wreck it is not even funny. What a sweet, sweet post.

kyooty said...

YAY! for the new normal, before you know it it's a holiday concert. I find once school starts in the fall the year goes fast! hang on mom this first year will be under your belt before you know it and you'll be looking for that paci for yourself.

Cassie said...

Oh man... I'm all crying and stuff. This is so sweet, Bex. No one told us about this part of being a mom, eh?

Mrsbear said...

Doesn't it just change the whole dynamic in the house to have big brother gone at school. It's strange. He looks so happy though. I've been in such a hurry to get my brood off to school, I don't know what I'll do with myself once they're all gone. Probably curl up in to the fetal position and cry till dismissal...or become the room mom or something.

Becky said...

Aw, so true, all of it! Gabe looks adorable and totally ready to crush kindergarten!

And I hate to say it, but you're going to turn around and he'll be in the third grade. Please, someone make this stop!

Laufa said...

Be glad he wants to go to school, even if it is heartbreaking. In a few years, he'll fake sick and want to stay home and you will have to fight him to go to school.
I felt the same way when my daughter went to school. My son on the other hand was like "Mom, I'm big now, I am going to big school now."

Pearl said...

all i can say is....awwwwwww! good post. good job on being strong for gabe!

Unknown said...

Too cute. It is sad when they go off and you're feeling all sad. (first day of school here...) I remember the first day of school (nearly a full day at 4) and I was lost without him.

Now I've got the little turkey to keep me busy and I only WISH there was a place to send her off for some peace. ;)

"infiltrate the PTA" - You're one of those moms are you? (I run from the pta moms, I don't want to be roped into anything...)

Sprite's Keeper said...

Taking on the PTA, you've got cajones!
He looks like he's having a blast!

for a different kind of girl said...

It seems as though you have a future student body president on your hands! How awesome is he?! You know you've done an excellent job as a parent when you've got a little boy so sure of himself. Definitely enjoy this new chapter together!

Krista P said...

Isn't it wonderful? An insane, little think tank where they are transformed into miniature adults.

I had to laugh about you & E. "Hmmmm, what do we do now?"