First Day for my First Grader

I am now the mom of a first grader! It's hard to believe. It really does go by so fast. In the beginning when it's sleepless nights, constant feedings and diaper changes, you feel like it will last forever. But then, without realizing when or how the time has passed, you have a toddler, then a preschooler and eventually a school aged kid who is gone all day. For eight hours a day someone else is responsible for them, in charge of keeping them physically safe while they are away from you, but what I want so desperately is to keep every part of her safe. Not just safe from harm, but her heart safe. From being made fun of and having her feelings hurt, or feeling scared or nervous. It's hard to believe or trust that someone else can do that.

I was nervous for her, maybe even more nervous than she was. I put on a smile, got excited about her going to school and played the part. It's what you do as a mom. I couldn't let her sense that I was a wreck. We gave kisses, put her on the bus and as she was getting on, she looked back. I smiled again, blew a kiss. And now as I write this I'm sobbing like a baby. I'll leave you with some pictures I took before we went to the bus stop. Every year we take pictures by this tree. I might have to gather all the pictures together and do a timeline. Check back for that.

New lunch bag...

Photo timeline