The first nudge toward the edge of the nest
A couple of weeks ago I accompanied Leta to her kindergarten orientation where we met with her teachers and explored the various areas and features of her classroom, and y'all, there is a princess castle! IN HER ROOM! I mean, it's not an Official Princess Castle brought to you by Hasbro or Disney or whatever, it's just a set of wooden steps leading up to a balcony of sorts, but she didn't know the difference and thought we were taking a tour of Heaven.
It is a magnificent kindergarten classroom, as far as kindergarten classrooms go, with tons of colorful letters and numbers on the wall, and blocks and games AND BOOKS! DON'T FORGET THE BOOKS! Mom, there is a whole box of chapter books, I just love chapter books, that's what she kept repeating to me for three days straight, and when she'd go to open her mouth at any point during those three days I'd hold my index finger to her mouth and go LET ME GUESS! CHAPTER BOOKS! NOTED!
And then she'd gingerly remove my finger and go BUT I LOVE THEM!
I sat down with one of her teachers for a good half hour to go over classroom policies, and when the topic of lunch came up, I'll just go ahead and be honest, I tried to change the subject. Because maybe once or twice this past week I have walked outside onto the deck in our backyard, far enough away from everything so that no one could hear me and yelled OH MY GOD I DIDN'T THINK I'D EVER LOSE THREE AND A HALF FUCKING YEARS OF MY LIFE TO HOW MANY FUCKING BITES OF THIS FUCKING BURRITO DOES SHE HAVE TO FUCKING EAT, but there they went.
A mother's rant brought to you lovingly by three months of sleep deprivation.
I got really nervous because we once applied to a preschool before knowing that they had a really strict policy about lunch. Like, kids couldn't pack anything processed in their lunches, and everything had to be fresh, don't even think about sneaking in a fruit snack. Let's just say we didn't get our $50 application fee back.
So I'm looking around the room nervously, thinking oh no, oh no, please no, not the topic of food, and before I pass out from anxiety I just throw it out there, way out in the open, like unleashing a bull from its pen, I go LETA IS A REALLY PICKY EATER. With enough emphasis to communicate that she would rather starve herself to death before eating a peanut butter and jelly sandwich. Because bread is just the grossest thing ever, you can quote her on that.
And her teacher, without skipping a beat, she waves her hand in the air and says, "Oh, they all are." And then she moved on to something else. Like, no big deal, we see it all the time. I wanted to start bawling from the relief, it felt exactly like every appointment we've had with her pediatrician who starts by taking a cursory glance at Leta, and then he turns to me and Jon and says, "Are you okay?" Like he genuinely wants to make sure we aren't four seconds away from falling over dead.
Drop off on the first day was as difficult as I thought it would be, she clung to my arm as if she were drowning, and even though I stayed for a good twenty-five minutes and watched her climb the princess castle seven hundred times, when it was time for me to leave she was frantic. And I knew exactly how she felt, I remember the panic I experienced when my mother left me in that strange room all those years ago, but I finally knelt down and took the hand I had just used to wipe the tears from my face to wipe the ones on hers. And I handed her off to the teacher.
I lingered outside her room for just a bit and looked in to make sure that she settled in okay, and within seconds she was sitting calmly with the other kids on the colored mat in the middle of the room, a sea of little heads starting the next chapter in their lives.
When I picked her up that afternoon she ran to me, my little girl who we once thought might never walk, and wrapped her arms around my neck so ferociously that I couldn't breathe. And when she finally released her embrace she said, "Mom, can I tell you a secret?" And then in her trademark yell/whisper she grabbed my ear and screamed I LOVE MY SCHOOL AND I PLAYED ON THE COMPUTERS AND THE PRINCESS CASTLE AND I JUST LOVE IT SO MUCH! And then as we held hands and walked to the car she talked about the lunch room and the big tables and the playground and her friend with the yellow hair and the other one with the brown hair but it was much shorter than hers, and IT'S OKAY TO TAKE A BREATH, LETA.
It felt like a Volkswagon commercial, here I am this disheveled suburban mom buckling in her kid who WILL NOT STOP TALKING, and it's adorable, yes, but then all the words start to blend together, and the dialogue did not stop as I closed her door and walked around to the front of the car, I could still see her lips moving.
When I opened my door and climbed in it was still going on, the paragraphs and paragraphs of kindergarten awesomeness filled every available inch of space in the car. And I sat there for a second looking at her in the rearview mirror and thought, we just did it. We just lived that day together, she and I, we just took that monumental next step forward, and I'm so glad that I got to do it with her. And years from now when we've met for dinner and a glass of wine, we'll talk about this day specifically. And I won't even bring up the burritos.
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Heather talks about public tantrums (from kids) on today's Momversation.
- RIP Louis Mortimer Armstrong: http://bit.ly/1R4tv6
- Hugs and kisses to you, too! RT: @Monkey_Tree: @dooce he probably committed suicide because he was tired of LISTENING TO YOU WHINE.
- Our fish just died. And I'm sitting here crying. And it wasn't even my fault!
1. RuthWells said:
Perfection.
2. Kelly said:
So sweet. You hope they always want to tell you everything.
3. Candy said:
Bravo for both of you!!
On my daughter's first day of kindergarten, she got on the bus and never even looked back. Now she is in high school. Don't get me started. I just might cry.
5. Dawn said:
What an awesome first day of school story. You really know how to spin a yarn!!
6. Anonymous said:
It all just goes so fast!!!
7. Zoid said:
How has she been liking it since?
By the way, that kid's got style.
8. Nicole said:
Glad it went well! Shes so cute!
9. Erin said:
That's beautiful. I'm not sure I will ever be a mother, but man, would I love to feel what you felt on that day...
10. sara said:
I know it isn't at all the same, but Heather, we've been living this with you. I'm so proud of Leta! What a big day. Hugs to you all.
11. Staci said:
My son started kindergarten this year as well. The first day on the bus, he waved to me. After that, it was like I wasn't even there.
I love the ramble of kid's stories.
12. Chriss said:
I remember these days well. Sigh. As much as the talking drives you crazy, some day she will NOT want to speak to you at all.
13. Kristina said:
You're absolutely right. My mom and I do still remember kindergarten together, and there are usually copious adult beverages involved when we do it. Wine is always a favorite, but g&ts, martinis and mojitos come in as a close second.
14. Lauren Tidmore said:
Aww this made me cry. I'm so happy for you Heather! I'm glad everything went great and that Leta had an awesome time!
Keeping you in my thoughts!
:D
15. Janelle said:
Sweet story. She will love to read this when she is older. I think I was as excited as Leta about chapter books. And those books where you got to choose your endings - remember? Probably a couple of years older than Leta, but I don't think I left my room for weeks when I got those from the library.
16. Ashley said:
Aw, she looks like a such a grown-up! Congrats on starting this next chapter in her (and your) life!
17. Jill Put Up A Blog said:
pretty adorable. good sign - she likes school. My 1st day, I cried and then cried some more and didn't want to go back.
18. Boo Mayhew said:
Oh wow, that brought back memories of my first day at kindergarten and my Mom leaving me :-) Well done Dooce, well done Leta
19. mommaruthsays said:
You handled it beautifully. I hate to think of how I'll handle my daughter's first day of Kindergarten. And it's nice that you're still able to make Leta-Heather memories and it's not always Leta-Heather-Marlo memories. Kudos!
20. beyond said:
heather, did you see this?
almost as cute as a baby hippo...
http://cuteoverload.com/2009/09/14/baby-elephant-in-utah
leta looks so sweet and... grown-up, somehow. i guess kindergarten is kinda grown-up.
21. Beth said:
I just got my two daughters down for their naps (ages (almost) 3, and 7 months) and I am sobbing at the computer thinking about doing this in 2 years. Your writing and tone on this are pitch perfect! I simultaneously dread and look forward to that day. Thank you so much for sharing.
22. Kristin said:
We just did the same thing with our daughter, and when I got to the part about you wiping the tears I started to tear up. Can you believe it? Kindergarten. Amazing.
23. Joy101378 said:
Leta is rockin' that outfit.
P.S. You will SOOOOO bring up the burrito on that day. That's what mothers do. :o)
24. Larkhappy said:
One of the things I like about your blog is how you nail it, expecially when you write about Leta. I have followed this little one since late in 2004, and I still love hearing about her. I can still easily picture her in the old kitchen sink, taking a bath, and now look at her.
25. Anonymous said:
This made me cry!
26. Ann said:
Wow. Your last three paragraphs captured that awesome feeling after the first day so fully. The only time I had tears in my eyes the first day was when he met me after school and my little undemonstrative boy lept into my arms and hugged me with such excitement and happiness. It was the most warm, wonderful feeling and I will never forget it. And I could not stop looking at my boy, not my little boy anymore, in the rearview mirror all the way home. Thank you for this today. It was needed.
27. Labradoris said:
I know exactly what you mean on the paragraphs and paragraphs filling the car. My significant other and I will go pick up the little one, and for twenty minutes straight, I'm not even kidding, we cannot get one word in to him, to each other, or even to ourselves. It's probably the most adorable thing ever (and slightly annoying if we actually need to communicate; we rely on hand signals instead). :)
28. Jamie said:
Adorable! I dread this day.
29. MK said:
Now I want to go ask my mom about my first day of kindergarten 32 years ago.
30. Nasrene said:
Way to go Leta. I still remember my first day of kindergarten and crying my eyes out too..fortunately I have a few more years before I have to see my own daughter off (since she's not even two yet).
Man, I wish they had Princess Castles in grad school...
31. Jess F. said:
I love the pose in her snazzy first-day-of-school outfit. She can take on the world!
32. Libertad said:
Congratulations on making it through your first day of kindergarten. She really is the cutest!
33. Claudia said:
OH HEATHER! You make me think that parenting might not be the weirdest thing on the planet. I hope this is just the start of a deliciously, deliriously pleasant school year!
34. Kim said:
My daughter is 20 months old and already does that constant talking thing - I can only imagine what it's going to be like when she goes to school. I can imagine what I will be like: a blubbering mess.
Thanks for this, Heather -
oh, and I love her posing for the camera. So cute!
35. Brandy said:
My five year old just started kindergarten, she loves it, but I am a weepy mess!
36. Rachael said:
Your Leta posts are still my favorite. I hope to experience these wonderful moments one day!
"And I won't even bring up the burritos."
Depending on just how many glasses of wine you partake in, the hell you won't!
37. Mumologic said:
I believe Dr.Robert Atkins said that in a press conference once: "Bread is just the grossest thing ever, and you can quote me on that."
38. KeriG said:
Kudos, Dooce. You captured the moment perfectly.
39. CarrieB said:
Heather - this made me weep. Thank you for sharing, and again, reminding me that we parents (scratch that, we people) are all more connected than we generally realize and give thought to.
40. Jesi said:
I love that story. I can't even imagine what it will be like when my babies start school, but I know it will be special. Thank you for sharing your life with us!! You always make me laugh and help me feel a little less crazy :) At least I am not the only mom out there that needs to step out on the deck and scream obsenities sometimes!!
41. Jon_and_Kate_Plus_Dooce said:
Did you mention this precious child on The Bonnie Hunt show? hmm....
"asshead in the building" came in over the loudspeaker when you walked in
Now go pop pills and have your assistant and creepy houseboy (i mean husband) make fake comments to this post...
42. Wild to Child said:
OMG! I'm SO not looking forward to the first day of kindergarten. Leta looked absolutely adorable. You should be so proud!
Amber
43. Anonymous said:
Does her shirt say Leta or am i just illiterate? If it does, FABULOUS.
Also: SMARTY PANTS.
She's gonna be one of those genius-types I tell my parents I am.
44. Sara said:
Heather,
I wrote about the same event for my daughter just a few weeks ago on my blog. It is quite a transition. I'm still not quite sure what has happened to me! My daughter loves it as well, and I'm so proud of her, but it is hard to let go.
Sara
45. Jill said:
I'm 43 and still flashback to those initial waves of fear whenever I happen to walk into a kindergarten room.
Sounds like Leta will be fine.
46. Ann said:
Tears are falling on my keyboard! My little girl started middle school in a new town a couple of weeks ago and I cried! She also still talks non stop!
Thanks for sharing!
47. Lauren said:
I love a Leta story...and I must say, your blog has been awesome these last few weeks.
I have been reading for about a year now, and how I found your blog is hilarious (at least to me). One of my dogs had an intestinal obstruction, and of course I consulted the Internet about it. In my searches, I came across the post about Chuck pooping out a whole corn dog stick. Hooked ever since.
48. Anonymous said:
She is adorable!!!
Jack used to throw out his lunch. THROW IT OUT. The teacher had to take me aside one day and asked me if I was forgetting to pack his lunch.. I was horrified. What, they think I don't feed my child?!! then she explained that he was going to the staff room to pick out some leftovers which included very delicious food from SUBWAY, and donuts. donuts. They gave him donuts? And yeah, I would have caught on to that too if I was 8 yeas old...
THe very next day the teacher caught him trying to huck his fruit cup in the garbage, and has had her eye on him ever since. He doesn't so that anymore now that she told him only vegetables are in the staff room, I love her.
49. Momastery said:
Wow. My little guy used to get in the car after preschool and before I could open my mouth to ask, he'd say:
"MOM. I don't want to talk about it."
Congratulations, Heather.
50. jackie said:
Woah, there, 41, do you really want to call someone with as high a loyal readership as dooce an asshead on *her own turf*? Because aside from the fact that its just incorrect, you're in an arena where THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE are going to think *you're* the asshead, whether you agree with them or not. What are you trying to accomplish? This doesn't seem like an effective way to work out all that anger towards your mother. You're just going to be more hated than you already are. OK great thanks.
51. Peggy said:
My MIL talks about my husband(JP) starting kindergarten and the first day went great. The second day she got a call from a friend and they asked what days JP was supposed to be in school and it was every day. They called to tell her that JP was at their house helping replace a water heater. When my MIL shows up to take him to school he whined because he has already done school!
52. Caitlin said:
I sometimes forget how very young Leta is, and think she's 8 or 9. Maybe it's because she sounds like an older, wiser soul when you write about her. Glad kindergarten turned out well; I'm 20 and still miss my mom when I go off to college. I guess we'll always miss our moms, huh?
53. Stacey said:
i just got all teary-eyed...thinking about the future and my daughter, alternating saying: "wahhhhh....why does she have to grow up?" and in the next breath -- "weeeeeeeh --- i can't wait until she grows up and we can have a glass of wine together or cook together and/or talk about men together..., etc." wow. thanks.
54. Stacey said:
I have tears in my eyes. I have seen my kids off on the bus everyday since kindergarten. They are now in 6th and 8th grade. This year, I walked them to the bus stop accompanied by much eye rolling and wincing when they saw I brought the camera. Too grown up for photo ops. But then, as the bus pulled away, I saw my daughter's face in the window smiling at me, all proud and nervously excited for her first day of middle school. The little buggers can get to you at any age.
55. Anna said:
Talking about quantum leaping....next thing you know, you'll hear that she's secretly eating broccoli and peanutbutter/jelly sandwiches with her friends.....
She looks so ready to meet that big world.
56. Stacey said:
p.s wtf #41?
57. Twyla said:
Tears..........
58. Lily said:
That is really sweet! I love the part about the pediatrician asking the parents if they are OK. Very funny, but oh so true, at least it was with us too.
& I love the photo of Leta. Oh my gosh what a little darling.
59. William said:
meet for dinner and a glass of wine? What are you going to stop drinking bourbon by then?
60. Mx said:
you... are awesome
61. Amanda Whitesides said:
I just went through this two weeks ago with my little girl - she's one of the reasons that I love your site so much, being just a few months younger than Leta! The only difference was, on our end, I was the only one with the tears, and Kaya couldn't wait to start this new chapter! Aaack!
So, you totally made me cry again. Bitch!
Unfollow! (lol)
63. michelle said:
Wow, 41 you are such a complete TOOL! Not sure what your deal is, and why you feel the need to spread your stupidity and hatred, but take it elsewhere. By the way, you are the only "Asshead" around here.....such a stupid word, moron!
64. Kerrie said:
It's so weird...It's like every blog I read has a little one going to kindergarten this year, including mine. I feel like if I had just popped my head out of my hospital room ... there you would have been! Sounds like you handled this day MUCH better than I did though!
65. Laura Trevey said:
awe... what a cutie-pie!!
Kindergarten is such a fun time.... cherish all the moments!
xo Laura
66. Tawnia said:
I much enjoy your writing. You give all of us moms the sense that what we go through is normal.
Kindergarten is the hardest:( First grade will be better... I promise.
I know you are busy, but If you ever get a chance please stop by my blog at http://mommyspaceblog.blogspot.com
Thanks for making being a mom... a little bit easier :)
Tawnia
67. JennKD said:
She is going to learn and grow so much this year - it's going to blow your mind. My little future cheerleader/American Idol winner changed to deciding she wanted to be a scientific (sic) when she grows up.
Holy crap, what? And yes, awesome.
68. kcbelles said:
Wasn't going to comment; so rarely do, even though I enjoy this blog so very much; I just feel my thoughts are already conveyed by the many responders, but I gotta say, #41, who's calling who the kettle black? Good grief. If you really believe what you say about Katie & Jon, etc, why do you even bother to come and read? Constructive criticism is always welcome, but downright nastiness? No purpose, other than to show what a complete dick you are.
And since I'm here anyway, Heather - perfectly adorable story. Love your rendition of Leta's first day of school. Always wondered how that was going to go. Such a little sweetheart. You and Jon done good.
69. Liza - Maiden to Married said:
Oh, Lord. I may be all of 4 days pregnant, if I'm even pregnant at all, and I'm reading your post and going, "Oh! What will I DO when I have to drop them off?" And then I'm going, "She REMEMBERS her first day of school? I don't. Do most people? Did I block it out because it was so horrible? Or did it just seem so insignificant? My mom and I never talked about it. Maybe we should. But what if she doesn't remember?" So, thank you for that. And Leta is so super sassy.
70. Dawn said:
My daughter started kindergarten last week and, although it is the same school as her preschool class, we had all the excitement of the new classroom, new teachers, and so on. She does love chapter books, but in our case, it was the "TREAURE BOX, Mama, did I tell you about the TREASURE BOX?" that she couldn't stop talking about (if they are good all week, they get to pick a prize out of the box on Fridays before leaving - Happy Meal toys and so on). Luckily, we aren't dealing with lunch, as she only goes half days. Congrats to Leta on a successful first day!
71. stacy said:
Your appreciation of where you are now with Leta, and your family, keeps me going.
you know what that means.
thank you.
72. Dena said:
I rarely comment, BUT Leta is wearing the shirt I sent you many months ago! I'm so excited!
73. Diana said:
Yes, #41, why don't you grow some BALLS (and a brain while you're at it) and give your real name. What a waste of space and energy you are. And fucking stop reading this blog if you hate her so much. Jesus, I hate people like you.
Heather, what a lovely post, you brought tears to my eyes.
74. Jeni Hill Ertmer said:
My almost six-years-old granddaughter, Miss Maya, just started kindergarten too -about two weeks ago now. She'd been in a special preschool program for the past 27 months for kids with autism and/or special needs. She did well in that program and thus far, is doing quite well in the adjustment to a full-day kindergarten program. She does not however ride the big school bus but rather we opted to have her ride the special needs bus, at least for this year or until she adapts a bit more, socially, and has more maturity needed to cope with all the older kids there. The only thing she really doesn't like so far -is the amount of noise that her bus make! She would rather go back to riding the van with the soft music she says. In class though, the biggest problem the teacher has is getting her to let other children answer questions and for her NOT to take on the role of the TEACHER! Yeah, she is a tad on the bossy side at times.
Enjoy watching her learn and adjust, learn and adjust. It's a wonderful transition to see it all in action, isn't it?
75. Lauren From Texas said:
I am taking notes right now, because if my child is anything like me, she will be exactly like Leta (minus the picky eating, because I used to eat everything I could see, and some things never change) and I will need a) a parenting guide, b) therapy, and c) a strong vodka cocktail. Hopefully by then you will have written another book entitled "How To Raise Your Crazy Child" and I will have excerpts of it tattooed on my arms.
xo
76. laurie said:
"...a sea of little heads starting the next chapter in their lives" has got to be one of the most beautiful lines you've written!
77. Amy said:
That is really sweet. She's such a precious girl. I'm very happy for you.
78. BarnMaven said:
Congratulations to Leta on being a Kindergartener! What a great time in life. And congrats, Heather, on surviving the first day without totally falling apart. I believe I cried nonstop for two hours on my daughter's first day of kindergarten. Its so hard to let them take those first tottering steps toward adulthood.
79. Julie said:
Congratulations to both of you on the first day of Kindergarten! You have a way of always managing to make me laugh and cry at the same time...thank you:) I look forward to sharing a day like this some time in my future. Keep up the wonderful stories!
80. Brandy (a.k.a. Rebel) said:
Thanks for letting me know what I have to look forward to! BIG sigh.....Congratz Leta! You did it! Don't blink. Tommorow she'll be graduating!
81. Keelie said:
What a GREAT first day story!! So glad to hear she is loving it already. And what a sharp 'first day of kindergarten' outfit. Here's hoping she has this much passion for the rest of her school days!
83. Elaine said:
There is so much to love about this post. My personal faves:
Someone else has a picky eater that has cost them years of their life? I thought it was just me.
My little dude starts kindergarten next year and I cannot wait.
My mom and I just got together for wine last night, with mutual friends, and it is such an amazing thing to have someone who raised me turn in to one of my very best friends.
Awesome blog, again :)
84. warmchocmilk said:
Totally, perfectly, wonderfully, AWESOME!! My Weston started kindergarten last wednesday, I know the feelings! Great job Mom! and go Leta! Princess castles, chapter books and yellow haired friends are what kindergarten in all about..my Weston met a nice orange haired friends too :)
85. Jelena M said:
Dammit, woman, you just made me cry...
86. Meg said:
Congrats on making it through. My oldest is 3 and I am already dreading the first day of school.
Did you skip preschool all together?
Just curious because that will be our next hurdle, shopping around and weighing the ridiculous cost of preschool to the question of, is there even really a benefit to preschool?
Congrats again. Hope the rest of the week goes just as good for you and Leta!
87. susan said:
As a kindergarten teacher and a mom, thank you so much for writing this. It is such a huge, important and emotional step. And, I am also scared shitless about the day I walk my baby to school even though I'll be right down the hall. Thank you so much for describing it all perfectly.
88. Hokie Deb said:
-->That is so exciting that she did so well. What did she eat for lunch after all?
90. Katherine said:
I still take my daughter's picture on the first day of school -- she's a senior this year.
91. KelGar said:
Please tell me they make those shoes in adult sizes. SO CUTE!
92. Candy said:
My own daughter is 19 now, and yet you took me right back to that kindergarten room all those years ago and I cried all over again. It may have something to do with her frantic call to me last night at 1AM on her way to the emergency room, but let's just pretend it's nostalgia.
93. Kelly said:
SO CUTE- Wondering what kind of shoes Leta is wearing and if I can get some in boy colors...
94. Kelly said:
Gosh, Heather, you are such a k*cking awesome Mom. You are so present. My baby is in the 'glass of wine and reminisce' stage now, and I wish I had been more aware of just how magnificent it is, and how life moves at the speed of light. Never too late, though, right? Thanks.
95. Lynne said:
You are beautiful, Heather. This touched me so so much. Thanks.
96. Louise said:
OMG!!! "Asshead" Really! Might be my new favorite word. Lol. UNFOLLOW!
97. Shelah said:
At the end of your entry, I was reminded when I dropped off my daughter at college 2000 miles from home. Same emotions, same tears, same concerns. You don't get better at it, but you've got to keep doing it. Thanks for sharing a beautifully written post.
98. Long Story Longer said:
Ack. This brought tears to my eyes, and I don't even have kids.
You guys are making it! Big congratulations to you!
99. Kassie said:
Heather, it's been so amazing "being there" as your life unfolds. I can't tell you how excited and thrilled I am about Leta's first day of school. Congratulations!!
P.S. Has anyone told you lately that you and Jon make the CUTEST babies?!?
100. Jennifer said:
I'm bawling just thinking about the beautiful emotion I'll have with my own child's first day of kindergarten. Thanks for sharing this first day with us too.
101. Brooke said:
Awww, I'm so glad she loves her kindergarten! My kindergarten most definitely did not have a princess castle. Actually, I only really remember the jump rope. And the test where I was supposed to draw a picture of a cot, but I drew a picture of me catching a butterfly instead (caught). That missed test question caused me so much anxiety.
Leta looks like a such a big girl!
102. Kelli said:
So, I just dropped my daughter off at college and took my son to his first day of kindergarten. Talk about a strange place to be. (And can I just say no one should have to pay for college and a nanny at the same time....I am an IDIOT!)
Our son is in a spanish immersion kindergarten and we have spent many sleepless nights wondering if we made the right decision for him, how will it go, how will we relate....
Know what, it is perfection! And I know that because I had to keep him home today with a fever and there were MANY tears, because he didn't feel THAT bad...
Smile.
Two down, one to go...
103. Katie said:
I am sure you are very proud of Miss. Leta. She is very beautiful and sounds very smart! I can't believe she is a kindergartener now! TIME FLIES!
I do have to ask - does she really only eat burritos and refried beans? That just doesn't seems right at all. LOL. I am not dissing you at all - because I know for a fact how hard it is to get a kid to eat anything they don't want to eat. I just remember watching this episode of True Stories of the ER where some kid came in with rickets because all he'd eat was oatmeal.
It would certainly make for an interesting blog post - but I would hate to see Leta with the rickets. :)
104. jeanine said:
Congrats ~ you made it! This is the reward for the journey of the last 5 years, and from the looks of it, the love of learning you seem to exhibit is shining through in your big girl.
105. julie said:
Great post. I'm wondering if the first day of Kindergarten will hold the same significance for me, what with my kids in daycare now. I do remember the first daycare drop-offs, though. Cried my eyes out over the boy, thanked my lucky stars with the girl.
And I know this isn't really the right forum to say this, but I want to tell you how much I admire you. You put it all out there, bringing transparency to the limit. I feel bad about the repercussions, the judging and the negative comments. That really must suck, and I'm sure you've had to grow a tremendously thick skin.
But damn are you a kick ass writer.
Thank you.
106. Stephanie said:
We dropped our oldest off at kindergarten this year as well. My husband and I barely got a wave goodbye before she was off doing her thing in her classroom. Glad to hear Leta loves kindergarten. That definitely makes it easier for both you and her.
107. Mary said:
I'm right there with you, Heather. My little guy started kindergarten this year, too. He's also a picky eater and THANK GOD the teacher understands and doesn't care (read: won't give me grief about it). I don't know whether it's a boy thing, but he doesn't talk as much about it. I have to pull the information from him (I know he loves it from the comments sent home from his teacher, the fact that I often have to physically remove him at pickup, and his overall level of contentment at home). Isn't it nice to breathe (about this issue anyway)? Thanks for sharing.
108. Sue said:
Wonderful first day story. The pink sneaks pretty much put me over the edge. So many, many pink memories of our two girls (now 27 and 22. Old old old!)
109. Valerie said:
The shoes are Keen's... I know they have black ones and another pair with some orange and maybe green.
110. Erin K said:
But the big question...
What did she eat?
:)
She's adorable, and I'm glad it was a good first day.
111. Susan said:
My 22 year old still remembers her first day and it is still a fun subject.
Your writing inspires me on a daily basis. I love giggling!!
112. Anonymous said:
Why does this post seem like a repeat??? Srsly, I think I've read this already before.
113. Jenn said:
This is so cute. I'm glad that you and Leta survived her first day of kindergarten!
114. Katie said:
I was wrong - Scurvy, not rickets. The kid from that show had scurvy from only eating oatmeal. Which I am sure is a risk if all you eat is refried beans.
So tell her to wash those beans down with some orange juice!
115. Elizabeth said:
As a fellow mom of a newly-minted kindergartener, I was looking forward to your post on this subject. Glad Leta enjoyed the big day!
116. Sara said:
Wow, what a great story. I have loved reading Leta stories over the years and can't believe she is already off to kindergarten. I wondered how she would fare in school, but it sounds like it is a wonderful place for her, due in large part to your preparation of her for school. Congratulations - can't wait to read more stories!
117. Bailey said:
Thanks, you just made me cry and miss my kids even more than I already did. It seems like I just did the kindergarten thing, and now they're all grown up. My daughter has two kids of her own and my son just turned 21 and went skydiving yesterday. SKYDIVING. But actually his first day of kindergarten was more traumatic. He was one of the kids who cried a lot so I stayed, and the teacher asked me if I wanted to volunteer in the classroom. I did, and ended up working there all year. It was one of the best and most rewarding jobs I've ever had, and I didn't even get paid.
I'm glad Leta's first day went so well!
118. Colleen said:
Congratulations to Leta! Where is that little frog legged baby? When did she get so big.
Don't leave us hanging though, what does she eat for lunch?!
119. Sarah Vhay said:
So wonderful! We also just experienced our son's first day at Kindergarten. He also went on and on about how exciting it was so I asked him if he enjoyed himself and he tells me no. When I ask why he says, "Because I missed you, Mom." I never had any idea what it would be like to be a mom until now.
120. Becky..Absent Minded Housewife said:
My last will start kindergarten next year. My oldest will start 11th grade at that time. (There is one starting sixth grade too.) We're the same age Heather. GAH.
Anyhow, I'M MORE THAN READY TO HAVE MY LAST GO TO KINDERGARTEN. I'm ready for my oldest to graduate high school and figure out what the hell he's going to do with himself now. I'm getting ready for my middle to begin puberty...Oh God.
I don't want any of it to be precious. (Not to say that it isn't, just that it is what it is.) I'm ready for my kids to grow up and do and be and thrive. I'm ready to move onto other parts of life that weren't a priority when I became a mother so young.
Let's just hope they keep their pants on longer than I di.
121. AZ Writer (Kim Hosey) said:
Look at her with her style and fierceness. She's your daughter, alright.
Glad to hear it went so well. It's always a little heart-wrenching and heart-warming at the same time when they're ready to take another little step in that direction.
122. emmay said:
I never leave comments here, but I had to today. Your post made me cry. My older daughter just started Kindergarten too. It was a super-emotional day for me becasue she was born 12 weeks early, and I kept thinking back to when she was all of 2 lbs., and we had no idea if this day would ever be ours. Your last paragraph made me tear up the most. It's beautiful and I think I will print it out and save it. And I wonder how mine will remember it years from now. I'm glad you guys had a great first day....we did too.
123. Chris said:
Wonderful! I'm glad Leta's so in love with her school. I remember your posts when you were concerned about her legs. Look at her now! Pretty baby!
Pat yourself on the back, Mom. Dad too. :-)
124. Cathryn said:
Reminds me so much of my first day of kindergarden. I just sent this to my mom :=)
I pride myself on being an excellent Google-er but I cannot find that commercial ANYWHERE online - the cute little girl who won't shut up. Anyone ?
125. Michelle said:
lovely, just lovely.
126. Denise said:
Jesus H. Christ! Could you make me cry any harder! That was absolutely beautiful but I believe Kanye would say Dadgonemad could do it better! Ha! Just kidding! LOVE reading what you have to say!
127. Katherine SOLO dot MOM said:
wow great story.
But yes... we all wonder - what did she eat?
You will def. always look back on this day; when she starts high school even. I did.
128. Courtney said:
Her sneakers are awesome!
129. Lisa said:
Precious story...it brought back a tons of memories. I bet Leta's appetite will change. They keep those kids so busy, they end up eating anything they are so hungry!
I cried when I dropped my daughter off on her first day of high school.
130. Jane said:
My oldest just had his first day of Kinder last week, and so far, every day when we pick him up, he's upset because we are too early! Even though he's been in daycare since he was about 5 months old, I cried the first day of Kinder, and fought the tears BIG TIME during Kinder back-to-school night. Part of my crying was excitement and pride for this big boy who, holy cow, came out of my body 5 plus years ago, and now is on to what I hope is an exciting, wonderful adventure with school for the next oh, 25 years of his life! I am so in love with this kid sometimes I cannot contain it. And I know that is how you feel about Miss Leta, it shows up in your writing so much, the pics, all of it. He told me the other night that he would love me forever, even when he's dead. Awesomeness.
131. NoL said:
YAY for a great 1st day!!!!! and her picture is stunning- her hair looks SOOOO long. My kindergartener had her 1st day last week- time is FLYING!
132. Cheryl S. said:
This cracked me up -- "the dialogue did not stop as I closed her door and walked around to the front of the car, I could still see her lips moving. "
I've lived that on many days, and my little girl doesn't go to Kindergarten until next year!
Hooray for a great first day!!
133. Carol F said:
Indeed, as a mama of a 20 yr old and a 15 yr old, let me say....you've done your job, and you really wouldn't want it any other way. Some days are long, but the years fly by.
134. Harmony said:
WOW! thank you for sharing this beautiful moment in your life, my daughter is 7 months old and also I had a rough start with her but its getting better everyday, but to also see this in our future brings me to good happy tears:)
thanks Dooce
135. fat mum slim said:
Yay for first day. Isn't it the most gut-wrneching thing ever? It's so hard to pull yourself away from the window.
It's amazing, you know... Leta may just start eating other foods just because her friend with the yellow hair, and the other one with brown {only shorter} do. I found this happens a lot.
The second day is quite often the hardest. I hope it does smoothly for you. x
136. Christy said:
Coolest kid in the world.
Thanks for letting us in to your lives.
137. Michelle H said:
I just went through sending my 5 year old to kindergarten also. She jumped right on the bus, waved, and off she went.
Regarding the, "How many more bites?" game that we play at each meal, I read somewhere to have the child roll dice to determine the amount they have to eat. We have been just using one die, but you could use 2 to increase the bites. It has worked really well for us. Give it a try!
138. J. Bo said:
I've said it before (and I'm sure I'll say it again), but little Miss Leta is SO LUCKY to have you and Jon for parents.
139. Sheryl said:
Wait, just wait. Today you walked her down the hall to her first day of school. Then in the blink of an eye (I'm not kidding) you will look at her and say "You can't possibly be starting your first day of your last year in elementary. I just walked you down the kindergarten hall last year!"
140. Julie in Virginia said:
This was so good to read and it made me cry - I just did the very same thing with my FRESHMAN college MAN BOY. You have much to look forward to. Savor every moment. You are a great mom.
141. Andi said:
UNFOLLOW!
kidding...
Well said & well done. Have a 14 year old who now picks and chooses what she tells me of her day, making virtually drag it out of her, and forbid the use of the word gay to describe anything without emotion or sexual orientation/preference. If I didn't that would be her response to 98% of the questions I ask about school. The other 2% would be comprised of retarded and stupid.
Thank you for the sweet reminder.
142. kim said:
Awesome. Just beautiful. I'm in tears and mine are only just over 3. But I know it's coming. I know that I will bawl. But I know I'd never be able to capture it like this. Thank you!
143. Katherine said:
Okay, I don't remember the first day, but I do remember dropping out of kindergarten because they didn't have any books to read and this woman kept coming around and whacking me on the top of the head with a star on the end of a wand to tell me it was naptime. I was so over that I refused to go back. Started first grade at the Catholic school the next year. (Thankfully, the parents didn't have enough money to sustain that particular expense longer than one year.) I don't think it hurt me any to miss the year of kindergarten. I even used my early dropout career in my college application essay. Worked quite nicely, actually. Good luck Leta!
144. Vana said:
How is it possible to tear up over a story about a kid I don't even REALLY know? Man, she has come a long way. Good job!
145. vakadesign said:
Go Leta! I'm so happy for all of you that she's moved into this new stage of her life so happily!
146. Lori Magno said:
Congratulations! How fabulous Leta looked on her first day of school!
Thank you for sharing another very special moment. Even more special for those of us who have watched Leta grow up in this space. We too worried about her walking (I remember the scary horse device) and when she didn't poop and when you were feeling less equipped to deal with all of this.
With no right to feel this way - so proud of you and your family and grateful that you share these life adventures and milestones. That is a gift to all of us.
-Lori
147. Anna said:
You made me cry. My son is only two!
148. Pearle said:
I have the biggest smile on my face after reading this post. So cool that you took the time to really appreciat the moment.
149. Katherine said:
I'm not even a mom, and I'm all teary...
150. beck said:
I'm crying. Sweet Leta girl in kindergarten. And I remember when she was born! Thank you for sharing this. =)
151. Amy said:
This is why you are an awesome Mom. You can appreciate the craziness of kids and their little quirks and yet you revel in the joys like first days of school. Leta is a very lucky girl, and so is Marlo. I hope someday we get to hear about that conversation over the wine. Love your blog.
152. Heidi said:
I am a 7th grade teacher who just had one heck of a day... a student asked me if I was Indian because I had hairy arms, another student accidentally said "asserrole" instead of "casserole" while reading out loud, and by 3:00 I was deliriously wondering why I do what I do. But then I read this post, and you just reminded me of why I work with children. It's those priceless connections and it's those irreplaceable instances when you share moments together. Thank you, Heather! I am ready for tomorrow!
153. Lizzy said:
Well... just... awwwww.
154. Tasha said:
Wasn't it just yesterday you were posting pictures of Leta after she was born? Where does the time go????
155. Shanon said:
Tears! And I don't even have a kid. Not one. Not even a dog. =) So happy for you both.
156. Anonymous said:
OMG, Dooce! We all know YOU ARE SO TOTALLY GOING TO BRING UP THE BURRITOS!
;)
157. Chrissy said:
"a sea of little heads starting the next chapter in their lives."
This line made me tear up just a little bit. My baby just started a new chapter in his life too: he's a freshman in college this fall. It's tough, isn't it? They grow up so fast. It may be cliche, but it's true.
158. Sarah @ BecomingSarah.com said:
What a big milestone for Leta! Congratulations to her! (And to you for surviving. I'll hand out another one if you really manage to not bring up the burritos. Because I totally would.)
159. Nina said:
I think this will make you laugh, truly. For all the times you've made me laugh...
http://www.newyorker.com/humor/2009/09/14/090914sh_shouts_frazier
160. Perpetually Lurking said:
I am not a person who comments on websites, but I'd just like to say, finally, that you are the only person who can make me even *think* about *someday* *maybe* having children.
Your particular way of presenting the world has brought me a lot of joy and laughter over the past few years, and today is no exception.
161. Leslie said:
Oh, she is SO GORGEOUS. I am so happy that the day went so well - I can only imagine the anxiety for everyone - and hope it is the start of a wonderful new chapter in your lives.
And yes, Leta, chapter books ARE awesome. I'll be she would LOVE A Little Princess by Frances Hodgeson Burnett :)
162. Snarkmeister said:
Heh. Sounds a lot like my son, who's ten now and still doesn't ever have a thought that isn't immediately verbalized.
Oh, and the picky eating does get better. My son didn't eat anything but chicken nuggets for about a year, and my stepdaughter wasn't much better. A few years ago we started a new set of dinnertime rules:
1. You must eat at least one bite of everything on your plate.
2. You must eat at least as many bites as you are years old (i.e., 8 years old = 8 bites of dinner, with those 8 bites consisting of at least one bite of each item on your plate)
3. A single pea is not a bite. A small forkful or spoonful of food is a bite.
4. No making faces or saying how gross it is.
5. Once you are done with your [years of age] bites, you have the option to get yourself something else to eat if you can't stand what we're having and you are still hungry. But it has to be something you can get yourself (i.e., bowl of cereal, peanut butter sandwich, toaster waffle, whatever). Mom is not a short-order cook and will not make you something special for dinner.
Amazingly, this works really well. The kids know exactly what the rules are, we don't have to argue about how many bites they must eat, and they usually find if they eat a few bites of something it's not really as bad as they'd convinced themselves it was at first. :) The kids are starting to branch out and eat all kinds of new things (salsa! shrimp! wasabi! couscous!).
163. Kathleen @ ForgingAhead said:
Love love love this story!
164. Sarah H said:
Love the image of the car commercial, but just to give credit where credit is due it's a Volvo commercial. Not that I have anything against Volkswagens...well, maybe I do.
165. Nancy said:
Aw, that post brought tears to my eyes :) My little girl just started grade two, so the memories of her first day of Kindergarten are still fresh: happy and exciting, yet heart wrenching at the same time. I remember leaving her at the school and walking home with her younger brother, and feeling like I was missing a part of myself. No doubt about it, it's a huge milestone and very poignant memory.
166. Grace said:
That's so awesome that she LOVED her first day! Isn't it just great when you see your own child start to spread their wings? When they start school, their world expands and amazingly they have even MORE to tell us about.
167. Homemade Wind Generator said:
Excellent Post!
168. Ms. Moon said:
What a beautiful piece of writing.
And let me tell you something- You WILL bring up the burritos. I promise. And it will be funny.
169. Nancy said:
It's so nice that Leta likes her school it makes it so much easier!
I can remember taking my first one to Kindergarten, Grade School, Middle School and when she graduated High School. Then she went onto college and now she is doing her internships/rotations - don't know what I'll do when she graduates in May!
170. gina said:
Oh just wait until she comes home talking about how stupid boys are ... now that is hilarious !
http://a-slapintheface.blogspot.com/
171. Nhiro said:
Shit, I'm 21 and I still remember my first day of school. I was INCONSOLABLE. Props to Leta, she's a champ.
And she looks killer in that outfit. (:
172. Liz Fischer said:
Those are awesome shoes, Leta! My four year old wants to know if you will please tell us where you found them. =)
173. The Prima Momma said:
Way back in another life when I was a nanny, I used to tell the parents to please just get the hell out the door when their toddlers were screaming their heads off at the thought of their mommy leaving.
It was so much easier when the mommy had gone. There was a 30 second turn around time, and then the kid and I would have a blast.
That knowledge did NOTHING for me when it was MY kid being left at pre-school for the first time. We eventually both adjusted. She loves being at school now - AND BY GOD I LOVE HER BEING AT SCHOOL TOO! But boy do I cherish the pick up time.
174. Nikki said:
you didn't say one thing about the best part of it all...
the glorious hours of silence that happened in between...
that's the best part. i know, because my youngest just started kindergarten. as he peeked curiously over the edge of the nest, i shoved him...and threw down his lunch box, and his backpack after him.
just the difference between the first born and the baby!!
175. Gillian said:
You people and your fricking kindergarten aged children. Stop already. I don't have to cry these tears for 4 more years yet. I don't know if I'll be able to handle it then, if I can't hardly handle thinking about it now.
Between these first day of kindergarten posts I've been reading, and the end of Finding Nemo where Marlin says "Good-bye son" and the stingray teacher carries his kid off into the blue, I'm getting dehydrated from all the crying. Motherhood should come with a free 12 pack of spring water per week. And Finding Nemo should come with a warning.
176. bittybambu said:
Thank you for sharing this. I just went through this experience for the first time with my oldest son recently too. It's such a huge transition to go through, and so full of emotions from all of us. You've articulated the experience so well; so similar to my own (just WAY better put).
177. Rose said:
My Leta is Rachel and she's 23...I have nostalgic tears in my eyes and SHIT! I have to get back to work! Thank you for such a tender post today Heather.
178. Katie K said:
Argh you've got me crying at work woman!
179. Beth said:
For a second, I thought you put Jon in a pigtails and skirt. Could that kid look ANY MORE like him? (Marlo, on the other hand, looks a lot like her mama!) My son starts kindergarten next year (sigh). I'm SO not looking forward to this. Congrats to Leta (and you!) for making it through her first day :)
180. Lola said:
My daughter was the same way in Kindergarten . . . and still is today in 6th grade! Although I have been known to mutter PLEASE! STOP! TALKING! on occasion, I am grateful for the abundance of BEST-DAY-EVER!s she's shared with me over the years. It's going to be a great year for Leta!
181. Alexandra said:
I guess because I'm about to give birth any minute, my hormones are raging. There's a small ocean of tears on my desk and in my lap. So touching! I'm glad I still have a few years before my first head off to the big K. I'm dreading it.
182. Brii said:
You are the kind of mother I dream to become some day. :)
183. Katie Kat said:
Heather, you give me hope that I can get through that day too! B is at least a year (or 2) away from Kindergarten, and I'm already dreading letting her little hand go on that first day. I'm so glad Leta loved it - what an adventure you both are on!
184. Gordon said:
Long time reader here, just wanted to say well done. For everything. From all the worries about Leta you got through to this point.
I don't mean to be condescending (I don't have kids) but you rock. I mean not as much as Leta rocks but you get my point... :)
What a great mother you are, truly. What a lovely moment, it's been fun 'watching' Leta grow up, thank you for sharing all of it (yes even the bits I really don't wanna read, hey I'm a guy, that stuff is... icky).
Thank you.
185. Camels & Chocolate said:
This is so cute. My own precious, beloved niece Kiva (also obsessed with princess castles and chapter books) just started kindergarten herself, and when my mother-in-law, her Grammie, picked her up after the first day, she asked her how it went. Kiva's face went all serious, and she turned to her like a grown-up and said, "Just awesome." That tugged at my heartstrings!
186. Natalie said:
Did you cry writing those last few lines, because I totally cried who reading them...
I just had a similar experience with my 5-year-old. The drop off was not one of our finer moments.
http://scriptedbynatalie.vox.com/library/photo/6a00fad691b6e100050110169...
She ended up having a great day, just like Leta. I'm so proud of them both!
187. Brat said:
OMG, look at Leta working it in that picture! That is the greatest picture... I love it!
Oh, and ya made me cry. Thanks. Sheesh.
[Memories!]
188. Snaptress said:
Awww I love this post, and I love your blog!! Just thought I'd tell you :) I used to be super anti-kids when I was in high school, but now that I've gotten older, I've definitely changed. I won't have kids for awhile, but I can live vicariously through you! Being able to read about all the small, family anecdotes that makes life wonderful keeps me excited for my somewhat far-off future of poopy diapers. You're awesome Heather!
189. Jon_and_Kate_Plus_Dooce said:
Yes it's me again. I just have no life and no friends so I need to come here all the time and hate on you because I'm so jealous. I really, really want what you have. I'm so jealous.
190. schmei said:
This brought back a lot of memories of my kindergarten year. My mom would take off Wednesday afternoons and walk me home from school so we could spend a few hours together, just the two of us. She was so good at acting intensely interested in my stories of the adventures of that year, and she would prepare my graham cracker snack PRECISELY CORRECT (I think Leta's teacher is right).
I'm now 27 and live 350 miles away, and she still calls me every Wednesday. Good moms rock.
191. Tricia said:
My daughters are both going to kindergarten this year. One will be in senior kindergarten and the other daughter will be in junior kindergarten. It will just be me and my son on Tuesday, Thursday and every other Friday. I don't even know what I will do with my time!
Very exciting. By the way, the photo of Leta is ADORABLE! I love her pose. Very chic!
Tricia
192. BlackCatMima said:
Love the bright pink Keens! So did she take a bowl of refried beans and a bag of M&M's for lunch or what?
Oh lovely, my Captcha words are harry horre - what the HECK?!
193. Lisa T. said:
My boy, Matt, is ten years old now and I'll never forget his first day of kindergarten. He was and is slow to adapt to new situations (as is his mother), but is very stoic about the whole thing...which is almost more heartbreaking than if he were one to weep and cling.
When I left him there that day my face ACHED from smiling and putting on a brave front for him. I was so frozen I couldn't even cry once I got home. No, I had to go straight to work (*my* first day of working at my job during normal business hours rather than slinking in during the evenings and weekends while the husband was home). My coworkers examined me and wanted to talk to me about this milestone my son and I had achieved, but I could only say short, cheerful things and then quickly answer the ever-ringing phone. I COULD NOT go there.
At the end of the school day I left work, drove to Matt's school and walked into his classroom to see the afternoon going-home ritual. I can't say Matt looked thrilled to be there, but just to see him doing the normal kindergarten stuff...I fled the classroom and burst into tears out in the hallway. A kindly first-grader mom acquaintance of mine came across me and let me cry it out on her shoulder saying comforting words and with that I was able to pull myself together. It was just SO HARD being away from him for so long and I was so incredibly relieved to see him again.
It probably took me a couple of weeks before I wasn't all choked up in the afternoons.
194. Meredith said:
Beautiful! It's so nice when we can recognize those moments and take them in, even if it's just for a second and you've got your new kindergartner chattering away in the background. Good for you and for Leta.
I'm off to go research which kindergartens in my area have princess castles - my oldest starts next year.
195. Rachael said:
I'm not going to cry, I'm not going to cry! Congrats to both of you!! My daughter is almost one and I am already dreading the first day of school because I know I'll miss her and it means I get to go back to work. Boo! I can't believe my itty bitty baby who was so so small when I had her started walking last night, they grow up way to fast.
196. Kelli said:
Yay for you and Leta! I'm totally jealous - my son just started kindergarten, too, and every day I ask, "What did you do today?" And every day I get the answer, "I don't remember."
197. Melissa S said:
"...but I finally knelt down and took the hand I had just used to wipe the tears from my face to wipe the ones on hers."
Wow! This line got me. You are such an amazing writer.
Oh, and #41 can go fuck themselves...
198. Nat said:
Way to go and make me cry first thing in the morning.
And I don't even have kids yet.
199. Wendy said:
Seems like just yesterday I had a kindergartener, but now he's in third grade. Looking forward to kinder next year for my youngest. It may be the best year in school
200. Darci said:
That backward glance will get you every time...I moved my daughter from Los Angeles to Rochester, NY for college and as I watched her walk away from me and her father into that dorm, she glanced over her shoulder and I would have grabbed her and run if she asked. She just waved and kept walking...
Oh I miss her but so proud that she was able to go over that edge of the nest.
201. Ryann said:
The most beautiful thing you've written, "I finally knelt down and took the hand I had just used to wipe the tears from my face to wipe the ones on hers." My little girl went off to Kinder a few weeks ago.... This perfectly describes it!
202. Leanie said:
My third and final child started Kindergarten this year and it was the hardest of all three. It's so exciting and hard at the same time! Speaking of lunch.....it could go the other way you know. My middle child? We had to cancel his lunch account because on the days he wasn't going through twice he was going through, getting food, and trading it for favors from other kids. First grade favors, mind you, like Play Kickball with me tomorrow for this apple, but he had a regular racket going. He's now only allowed to pack lunch until he can buy lunch responsibly.
203. Kristy said:
Oh, I just love her little fancy-pants pose in that picture! Like, hey world, look at me and my CUTE SKIRT!
204. Candice said:
Such a wonderful post for such a momentous occasion! We sent our little boy off to first grade this year, so my moment was last year although this year was easier and harder all at the same time. Thanks for sharing this, I loved reading it.
Oh, and side note...Leta's sneakers...LOVE them...who makes them, thinking they would look just as cute on my little girl.
205. Parenting Ink said:
Beautiful! The pace of your writing makes me feel like I'm in the room for you. I can only hope my kindergarten drop-off next year will be as special. Congratulations.
206. Flipfloppingmamma said:
How can a kid that looks THAT confident cling to her mom on the first day of school?? haha! Cute outfit!
207. Anonymous said:
Loved your description of Leta's first day school. Take a picture of her on the first day of school and the last day each year. A wonderful record of how they change and when you're my age you'll have something great that will really make you cry. You'll wonder how did the time go by so fast.
208. Stephanie Johnson said:
I spent my life terrified of having children and confident that I would be a failure as a mother. (don't be confused, I am not married and am terrified of commitment so all this baby talk is a bit preemptive) Your blog is slowly eating away at my fear... I cried about today's. And I don't even like kids...
209. Anonymous said:
These are the days you lived for; the ones you knew, somewhere deep inside, would make it worth crawling out of the darkness.
I'm glad it went well.
210. heather{dot}com said:
Seriously, make me cry, why don't you. Gah.
211. Nora said:
Okay, seriously I must stop reading your blog at work because I'm crying AGAIN over your amazing writing. This post brought back the memories of my first day at kindergarten. I was a screamer. I know I was. Embarassing to think of now, but the idea of surviving a day without my mother? Insanity. There are days now, at the age of 25 where surviving a day without being able to talk to my mother leaves me feeling empty. We are incredibly close to this day and I wouldn't change it for the world. I'm so glad it went well and I hope that for years and years to come you and Leta can continue to talk at the mile-a-minute pace without even blinking an eye.
212. Anonymous said:
This made me cry, that's all. Off to pick up my 12 year old. girl. xoxo Reading your blog is like winning the lottery for "warm fuzzies"! Ok. Really. That's all.
213. Kylie said:
What a beautiful post and a treasured memory made. Thank you for sharing it with the interweb.
214. Chantal said:
Reading about moments like this, makes me realize how much I miss my own mother, and how lucky Leta is to have a mother like you.
215. Emily said:
Heather,
I'd like to let you know how nice it is to read this. I'm on the other side of the fence entirely -- a preschool teacher. It's a humble reminder (though I've been doing so often!) to consider the parents emotions just as much as the child's. Also, it's nice for me to hear about one kid's first day being such a terrific experience after we've just had our first day today.
Good luck with the rest of the days of Kindergarten and beyond! And Leta will be so great, she seems like such a bright kid (no surprise there based on the font of knowledge and wit from which she springs!).
Thanks!
216. Corinne said:
Talking with your mom over dinner and wine is the best... it must be so amazing to be a mom and look forward to that day. As a 26 year old with an amazing mom, I'm so grateful for how crystal clear her memories are of me as a little girl and how when she shares them her love is so apparent. Leta will feel the same way.
217. Ninabi said:
Chapter books+ a place to pretend to be a princess= awesome teacher.
I'm so happy that she loved her first day of class and that the teacher has appropriate learning materials for such a good reader as Leta.
218. melissa said:
I put mine on the bus last year and she never looked back either. Consider lunch at school as a learning experience for her - she'll either eat what her choices are, or she won't and she'll be really hungry for dinner :) My now first-grader is a pro at it now and I couldn't be more proud. Wait until she tells you something you didn't know :)
219. Jackie Hall said:
Congratulations on making it through a difficult day that turned into a wonderful memory. May all of her years be filled with this much excitement and wonder.
Jackie
220. Amanda said:
AWESOMENESS. I love how grownup and fashionable she looks in the picture. So glad she loved it!
221. JennBenn said:
Leta has such an awesome mom. If she's anything like me, it will take her about 15 years from now to figure it out, but when she does, watch out. She's going to text you 100 times a day like I do my mom, and you're going to love every second of it. And so will she.
222. Lori said:
Wow. I've been reading since Leta was maybe 9 months old, and while cognitively, I understand that that was nearly five years ago, it's still hard to believe that that was nearly five years ago.
223. Becky said:
Heather, I think you have my little girl. ;)
Every time you describe Leta's behaviour and anxieties towards eating/sleeping/living/ whatever, I SWEAR you are describing my daughter, Maddy. As much as everything makes you crazy, I am relieved that you are living the same craziness as me. We too have a new baby (July8) with a much older sibling (2003), and there are times I am convinced I am losing my mind. "Thankfully" I'm not the only one.
Becky
224. em said:
This post just made me cry. I'm such a loser!! I have a five month old...and I actually remember reading your blog when Leta was a little peanut...seems like yesterday. Soon it will be my first day of Kindergarten.
225. MyHormonesMadeMeDoIt said:
I adore the excitement kids can have for new experiences, sounds like one amazing day!
226. Spatula said:
Wow. What a big girl! The one that everyone worried wasn't going to walk! In those utterly styling sneakers! So grown-up. And so much like Jon in a skirt and with pigtails. If she wasn't so lovely, it would be a spooky thing.
227. Shelley Noble said:
if, Volkswagon is smart, they will have you and Leta make that exact commercial.
This entry is so touching, Heather. I think it's because you capture the constancy of life in just a few lines, how you are aware that these daily moments are part of a larger story. You always make me laugh and cry through the course of each Leta post.
228. Claudia said:
Thank you for this post, and wow, Leta has some real style. Love the pose!
I have one daughter and three boys. My daughter is now 22, but guess what? Except for a few short years in high school, she has always shared much with us. I think you are in for a similar ride with your little beauty. Enjoy every minute!!
229. VLD said:
Awesome! So glad you both made it ;-)
230. Sharen said:
Wonderful. Brought tears to my eyes.
Follow!
231. Lisa said:
Heather,
I love that you were in the moment- recognized and recorded it for us and more importantly, for Leta. My heart is full for you...
232. tobeannounced said:
This brought tears to my eyes! As an elementary school teacher without kids of her own yet, it's nice to hear the other side. :)
233. MMiller said:
Glad things went so well! And most of them are picky eaters! I remember sending my daughter (who also hated sandwiches) to school with ham and cheese in baggies! When someone asked her why she didn't have any bread, she said... are you ready for this one....my mom doesn't send me any!!!! Not I don't like it, not I like it this way...my mom doesn't send me any! Thought you would appreciate that one! Hope the rest of the week goes just as well!
234. Jennifer said:
I read your entries every day.. but today specifically made me cry. I love how much you love her. It makes me look at my mom in another way, and appreciate everything we've shared. Thank you!
235. tphilly said:
Marvelous. Lovely. Again.
236. Kim H. said:
I have missed your monthly letters to Leta, so this was a wonderful entry!
237. Shaunna said:
What a beautiful entry, Heather! You are so clearly in LOVE with that precious little girl. I'm so happy for you all that the day was a success. And I get your sentiments so much more now that I have a wee one myself. Luckily, the first day of kindergarten is still years away. Thanks for sharing such a heartfelt moment with us.
238. StephTN said:
Yay Leta!
239. No. 17 Cherry Tree Lane said:
I have tears in my eyes.
240. Natalie said:
Can totally relate - and learn. A month ago I went to information morning for my son's school-to-be and they started with a choir performance of Mamma Mia. That was my princess castle moment!
http://colourfulwords.blogspot.com/2009/08/criteria-for-good-school-stoc...
I am taking notes of getting through first day. I love how you can make me nod my head in appreciation of the ridiculousness of motherhood and literally cry with the fierceness of your love. xox
241. Helen said:
Here I sit, all misty eyed with a big lump in my throat. I so wish I could remember my mom ever taking me to school. It's too late now for me to ask her about all those "little things" as she passed away 16 years ago. How awesome for Leta and Marlo to have a Mom who writes it all down so the memories will live on. Congrats to you and Leta on having a spectacular 1st day of school. She actually reminds me of myself in that I was a voracious reader. Still am.
Blessings my dear, 'cause you are fantabulously awesome! Your kiddos are in for a beautiful and amazing life~~~~
242. The Saucy Little Tart, J.D. said:
So glad to see I wasn't the only one who cried my eyes out over this sweet post!
243. Joanna said:
More tears here, but happy ones. I just asked my 10th-grader what she remembers about her first day of kindergarten: she remembers the kitty shirt she was wearing, and we have a picture very much like Leta's!
She also remembers learning to read with the two friends who fought for her affection (literally) and how they snickered when they learned to read the word "but." Alsom not sleeping during nap time, and being so excited when they sometimes got oreos for snacks. She was of the "Mom, I don't want to talk now" school, and still is, but I've learned that she'll tell me about school when I tuck her in at night. She still asks me to do that.
I remember thinking that the school looked so huge compared to the child care center where she'd been, pretty much the same way I felt about her first day of high school-- "All those other kids are enormous! and they have facial hair, and drive cars!"
My nephew the picky eater who would only eat hot dogs and sourdough bread with unsalted butter is now in college cooking for himself--great vegetarian food. His mother, my sister, went through a phase in which she nourished herself exclusively with french fries; later she became a professional chef. We'll have to check back in a few years to see what Leta's cooking for you!
244. Dad of C & L said:
My mom was a career woman, this was 1962. I was taken to school, she was very well dressed, a smart suit, I remember it was red and the blouse had little poppies on it. As I was escorted to the classroom I felt a little queasy, well...next think you know (not Jed's a millionaire) projectile oatmeal or whatever was breakfast that day allover....hmmm...memories
245. grace said:
Oh thank you for sharing this wonderful day :) My one and only child, my daughter, graduated this spring... It's all over for me - the school years - and vicarious living is all i get now. Thank you, Heather.
246. Anonymous said:
I thought that bread was the grossest thing ever too! I REFUSED to eat school lunches and refused to eat anything commonly found in a lunch box. My dad once told me that I couldnt go to recess until I ate half of the pb & j sandwich that he put in my lunch that day... I was the only one left in the cafeteria that day because I couldnt disobey my dad but I also could NOT eat a dsigusting sandwich! Eventually the lunch lady came over to me, grabbed my sandwich, threw it in the trash and made me go play... the lunch lady was my Grandma! haha
247. Teresa Campbell said:
Trust me, you will so totally bring up the burritos.
248. NY, NY said:
Awwww. This is the girl who as a baby was screaming for all the screaming because she was so busy screaming? It happens fast, right? She'll be driving the family car in no time at all. (hopefully she won't be screaming.)
249. Claire said:
I just went through the same thing but different. My daughter is 4 and started Pre School I had been a working mom. She had been in daycare since she was one. It would have been sooner but Katrina hit, I was laid off and it took almost a year to get her back onto a daycare and to get myself a job.
Anyway, money has been getting tight and even though I am now disabled we never took her out of daycare because she loved it and she was learning so much and making so many new friends. We found out that she was eligable for daycare in out town because of me being disabled so we applied. We quickly found out that the school in our area bussed the kids to the next town so we moved, same town but Blue Ribbon schools. We ended up getting the call that she had gotten into the public school program in the school of our choice and she was to start the next day. I had no time to prepare her but she assured me, her mother, that she would be fine.
We drove her to school the first day and walked her to her class room. I cried the whole way home. My husband went to work but showed up home early because he could not imagine not picking her up with me on her first day. So we left to go get her. She was so excited and could not wait to go back the next day. She had made a ton of friends already! The teacher called us that evening to let us know that she was too advanced for Pre School but there was nothing we could do about it. She was going to try to challenge her in class.
Over the weekend Mia decided that she did not want us bring her to school. She wanted to ride the bus. I had my mommy moment "SHE IS ONLY 4 YEARS OLD AND SHE WANTS TO RIDE THE BUS... THE BUS!". We called the bus driver and set it up. We called her teacher to let her know and on Monday morning, Mia caught the bus. She could barely make it up the stairs but was determined.
I cried all day long!
When the bus dropped her off that afternoon she got off crying. She thought she was on the wrong bus and thought she was never going to see us again. My heart still stops when I think about that moment. My baby was scared but I could not be for her sake. We assured her that it would never happen. The bus driver knew where she lived and would make sure that she always got home. Of course you would THINK that his was the end of the bus but she wanted to try again the nexy day and fearlessly got on the bus the following morning.
It has been over a month now and she rides the bus to school everyday. No more tears... I am not even aloud to walk her to the bus. I have to stay in the driveway and watch her climb on all by herself... because she is a big girl... and she has assured me that she will have another baby for me so that I wont be so alone at home during the day. How freaking sweet is that!
I am so glad that Leta had a great first day and as you can see, I can totaly feel you on this one. It is amazing how they still cling but grow up right before our eyes. They are "big girls" now... it goes to show that they were raised well!
250. Anonymous said:
glad that she had a good first day
not that you asked but unless she is doing "locks for love" that girl needs a haircut!
251. Rachael said:
I will be living through this very thing TOMORROW. And even though I've been through it once before, this one is my baby, and my only girl...and...
There's going to be a scene, but it won't be the 5 yr old.
252. Christy said:
OMG HEATHER! I had so many emotions when reading this! I laughed and cried and nodded my head vigorously remembering when I went through this EXACT same scenario with my now 9 yr old. WOW - the time has flown. You probably won't read this comment as I am like the 300th commenter, but I had to ask you if you have read the book "The Kissing Hand" by Audrey Penn. It is the perfect book for the first day of Kindergarten. My daughter's Kindergarten teacher read it to her on the first day of school, as I stood there and cried. When you said you used the hand to wipe away Leta's tears that you wiped your own away with - reminded me of that book and of my own experiences. It's funny, but I STILL have to take a day off of work when my daughter goes back to school every year to cope with it! We're here for you sister!!!!
253. Kimberly said:
I got a little teary at the part about meeting up for dinner & wine years down the road. Probably because that's the point that I am at in MY life... Meeting for dinner and recounting all those important days from my childhood that I still recall so readily. Wonderful. :)
254. Adrienne Noll said:
Great post, we'll be doing the Kindergarten thing next fall, but she'll be at the same school I teach at, and she's always been in daycare, so it won't be quite as magical. I just had to tell you that I can totally relate to the non-eater status. I never knew a kid could actually hate peanut butter and jelly. Or strawberries. She does love pomegranates, so maybe that's what will keep her healthy. Also, the talking...and the talking...and the mouth moving even when the door is closed...and then again still going when you open the door...like you ducked underwater and missed have of a conversation but still know exactly what is being said...and more talking....
255. Tarynn said:
I just did the same thing with my son two weeks ago. At the kinder orientation the day before school started, the teacher handed the parents a little plastic baggie with a small packet of tissues, a tea bag, and a cotton ball. The accompanying note read: "Today is a big day for you too! After you've wiped your eyes, hold the cotton ball in your hand to remember the softness of your child's hand in yours. Then go home and make a cup of tea and put up your feet: you did a great job bringing them this far, and now it is my turn to be their teacher and help you guide and shape their lives! Good Job!" something to that effect. It was the sweetest gesture!
At his new school, you can get in through the playground by crossing a long foot bridge that goes over a creek about 50' below. It goes through these tall beautiful trees that make a canopy over the wooden bridge. As we walked across, holding hands, his brand-new backpack swinging against his booty, I told quietly him "This is a bridge to a whole new adventure. One that will last your entire life. It's such an exciting day for you." He looked up at me and said softly "Even though I'm really really scared, I'm REALLY REALLY excited, too!"
We walked into the classroom, and his usual confidence and enthusiasm were a bit subduded...he seemed nervous! A condition we've never seen in him before! He was shy! And I have to admit, I was expecting him to walk in their and say "Bye, Mom," and never look back, because that's the kind of kid he is. And break my heart with the unnecessity of me. But to my great surprise, HE NEEDED ME. Parents were sitting on the colorful alphabet rug, reading books to their kindergartners and trying not to cry, or crying, or sobbing, etc....and we sat quietly, with him on my lap, and read Green Eggs and Ham. And my heart hurt so badly but was so proud at the same time. Because this was such a big day, and it was sweet for both of us. When the teacher said "Give your families a hug and say 'See you soon, Racoon!'" he looked at me, a little panicky, and I looked right in his eyes and told him It.Is.Going.To.Be.Okay. and he nodded, said "I trust you Mama. You can go now." I never felt more proud of his bravery. I walked out backwards, but he never looked back.
And then I collapsed with all the other parent's outside the classroom door,crying my eyes out and hugging strangers that knew exactly what I was going through.
256. Anonymous said:
WOW!!! that was just beautiful....as is Leta!
My youngest boy just went to 1st grade all day...my big concerns this year were prepping him to wipe his own bottom!:) I can't wait to share that with him over a glass of wine one day!
257. Nicole said:
Good god, woman. Why do you always make f-ing cry in the middle of my day? You are going to have some serious 'splaining to do to my husband (and our responsibility-free life) when I finally break and tearfully/gleefully announce that, "it's time."
Have mercy on me. Please ration these posts that show motherhood to be like maybe the awesomest most important thing ever. More terrible sleep deprivation stories and vomit and stuff please. Seriously.
258. Erica said:
Wow! Only to think I will experience this all at one time with my triplets. I never imagined parenting would be this bittersweet. However, I would like to add that I look forward to the glass of wine moment other than to actually drop them off at kindergarden. Not so much for the alcohol, as much as it would probably just be less painful to remember than to experence it.
259. Shaunamama said:
This post made me cry happy but been there done that tears. So sweet!
260. pammyg said:
As a mom with all three "baby birds" gone from the nest (the last two within two months of each other this summer), this entry brought tears to my eyes. Even though MY baby will turn 20 in a couple weeks, the sort of things you wrote bring memories so vivid to me.
When they are little and your life can get so busy, sometimes you don't know how you'll make it some days. But once they're gone, life gets so incredibly quiet... It's bittersweet.
From my heart (and through my tears), thanks for sharing your life with us, Heather~
261. LMM said:
Very nice post. I think your writing style is progressing- you have always had you "voice", but I feel like you have more polish. Thanks for sharing Letta's first day of school!
My son started 3rd grade and he was great! Then I got all choked up and started to cry and I had to make a hasty exit so he wouldn't see me.
262. Suzette said:
OK. You just made me cry. This is just one of soooo many firsts. But, it's one of the biggies. My little girl is 27...has been to war...has been married and divorced...and I still cling to these kinds of golden memories. Save them in a pink, velvet-covered box. They are among life's most precious.
263. Stacy said:
Today, on the way home from 4th grade, my son talked the entire time. And though it sometimes makes my ears want to bleed, I love that he's still so excited about school and life. And that he's sharing it with me.
Enjoy it all.
264. Teri said:
Simply beautiful.
265. Deborah said:
Beautifully captured.
266. Anonymous said:
I've been reading your work for years, watching as Leta has grown. I can only imagine the flack and crap you've gotten all along about you-as-a-mother or even worse, about your beloved child. And yet you've continued to share with us and build this magnificent community of online parents looking to connect with each other.
And now precious Leta is in kindergarten. Heather, I hope you have really sat back and let that accomplishment wash over you. Leta who you thought wouldn't walk much less run or jump, Leta who readers thought was autistic, Leta who screamed with the screaming screams. A beautiful girl WHO CAN ALREADY READ CHAPTER BOOKS!! Wow. Phenomenal. Just phenomenal.
Thanks again for sharing with us all, and give that beautiful girl a smooch from the Internet.
267. No Biggie said:
What a big girl! (Both of you!)
I have a feeling that snappy outfit had something to do with her first day's success. Love the toe point in the photo.
Go Leta! Go Heather!
268. NY,NY said:
I just had a thought about people making mean comments, and I remembered my mom's advice about the mean kids at school (guess the school post got me remembering my own terrible school days). "Ignore them and they will go away". Maybe if we don't comment on the haters, and dooce does not give them the time of day, they will move elsewhere to get the attention they obviously need.
269. Nat W said:
I miss kindergarten. However, I don't remember my first day...I don't remember being glued to my mom, but I'm (still) such a mama's girl that I'm sure it was traumatic for at least one of us.
Good to hear that Leta is a fan of kindergarten. Tell her life is all downhill from this point forward, lol.
And you really must bring up the burritos.
270. Hope said:
Big step for BOTH of you - great job!
271. Carly said:
Sometimes when I read your posts I feel like I'm watching myself grow up. In so many ways (not all, of course - that is the beauty of humanity, that we are all different), Leta and I are so alike.
My mother never thought I would walk. Of course, I don't remember that, but she says so, so I believe her.
I lived the first 5 years of my life after baby food on peanut butter, club crackers, and american cheese slices. After about 5 years, a miracle happened. I added chicken nuggets and french fries. At 22, I am still a picky eater - but I'm not THAT picky. And, hey! I can generally function in polite society!
I began reading early. And whoo, boy, once that train left the station, I was READING. I read everything. Anything I could get my hands on. In Kindergarten, a box of chapter books would have excited me just as much as it excited Leta.
Even today, when I get overexcited, my mother tells me to TAKE A BREATH. And usually I take a quick one and then continue on about whatever was so exciting. Growing up, she was an elementary school teacher, and when she'd pick me up from my school, I'd start in with all the exciting things that had happened that day and she'd hold her hand in front of my face and say, "FIVE MINUTES." That meant DO NOT TALK FOR FIVE MINUTES OR I WILL LOSE MY MIND.
Anyway, lots of rambling to say thanks for sharing Leta's stories with us.
And maybe give you some hope that there are those of us with similar stories who made it all the way into adulthood, who even rent their own apartments and pay their bills and everything, but who still need their mothers when they get really sick (i.e. this summer, when my mother had to drive 8 hours from Memphis to North Carolina to take care of me I was so sick).
272. Amy said:
Aaawwww. That was so sweet. I sent my twins off to kindergarten three weeks ago, too. It IS a big day.
My five year old daughter is a picky eater, too. I used to agonize about it, but I have just given into it. I don't want to give her complexes about food and I figure that what she puts in her mouth and chews is probably one of the only things that she really controls in her life. To compensate, she gets three gummy bear vitamins and I can sleep at night.
273. Anonymous said:
I think I cried more on the first day of Kindergarten than my little one did. I was on the brink of turning around and picking him back up. Funny, I think we need them more than they need us; emotionally. Any "first" is an emotional one. Now mine is in 2nd grade and I'm like "dear God, get off my arm and go already!" He told me the 2nd week of school "Momma, how come it's my 2nd week and I'm not nervous but my stomach hurts?" My reply was "Get over it, you've got 14 more years of it!"
274. Sharon Simpson said:
I'm a retired elementary teacher, and I know the trauma of first day in kindergarten. Parents and kids sometimes have a difficult time. It sounds as if you both had a PERFECT first day! I'm so glad for both of you!!!
275. Nancy@ifevolutionworks.com said:
So bittersweet, but so wonderful. Had to laugh at the VW commercial. I felt the same way once he started really talking......and I still do. He's now 9.
276. Eddeaux said:
Love it. Especially the secret "whisper" in the ear part... I can't believe that after 7 years I still find this site so dang fascinating... even after meeting you in Austin and finding out that I was the only dude there at the bookstore that actually read your site... the other guys were just their with their prego wives.
277. Sarah said:
I don't have kids, so I don't know how the first day of kindergarten feels, but I cried reading this post. I remember my first day of kindergarten, standing outside with my mother and waiting to go in (and my first day of college, where there were far, far more tears involved). I never realized that it was probably as hard for my mother as it was for me. Thanks for giving me a completely different perspective.
278. heather said:
it's great to see the gains that they make during the year, the first day for my son was not so bad, and first grade this year has been great because he loves his teacher. she's such a doll.
yeah, #41, do you remember Kathie Lee Griffin? she doesn't talk about her kids on TV any more. I wonder why? maybe because they are total screw ups or just talking about your kids on TV is so damn unfair. read something else you nut job.
btw, the baby has the biggest eyes, she is gorgeous!
picky eating, but she's growing and obviously smart. my sister ate nothing but hot dogs apples and potato chips (food allergies) for four years. she's fine now.
279. Jayseaka said:
I'm expecting my first child in February and while I love all your posts, it's posts like these that really get me excited about becoming a parent!
280. Megan said:
Reading this actually made me cry. I'm glad you two go to experience such a great day together. Thanks for sharing it with the rest of us.
281. Erin@TheLocalsLoveIt said:
Please pass the tissues...
I sure love first day of school stories.
282. Katherine Sweet said:
Congrats on the pizza eating!! Here is to many new adventures.
283. Shaun Paddock said:
So happy to hear that she loves school. Not surprised and yet still happy.
284. Pam said:
And you will have this wonderful entry to read together in the future. How cool. I was teary when I read about you dropping her off and leaving, but what a perfect, perfect ending. All we want as Moms is for our kids to be HAPPY.
285. Anonymous said:
I always loved that. The long conversation about everything after school. Oddly enough it was my son who said everything. When he went to college he would still call and say "Ma guess what, or listen to this" I loved the listening. Until he broke up with me and married this girl who gets to hear it all now. That girl I love as much as if she were mine.
286. Renee said:
Did you have burritos for dinner to celebrate?!
I remember my first day of kindergarten, and let me tell you the outfit I wore was outrageously funny. I was far from the fashion icon that Leta is.
287. Courtney said:
This makes me excited about the future with my daughter.
288. Laura B said:
CONGRATS!
I remember reading and hearing from friends that all toddlers are picky eaters, so one of the things I decided early on I would not stress about was food. And then I got a kid that ate healthy food, and won't accept M&Ms as a bribe for toilet training. And I wonder, where did he come from?
289. Stacy said:
As a 42-year-old woman who never felt a maternal urge in her life, I have to say this:
Heather, please don't ever stop blogging until long after I'm dead.
I'll never have children, but I feel as though I get a tiny glimpse into the joys and heartaches and love and frustration and hope and anguish and pure delight motherhood must hold.
I love what you have to say as much as I love how you express it. I am so grateful for the laughter and tears I have had over the past four or five years of following your lives.
Thanks again.
290. Beth said:
:)
291. smodan said:
#41: YOU LIE!
292. Alexandra said:
Absolutely breathtaking writing...just beautifully written.
293. Rachel said:
I'm 24 and some of my most distinct childhood memories are of kindergarten. It was a wonderful time and one of the few times I was really uncorrupted by the world. After that, it's all downhill.
294. Karen Olson said:
We have gone through seven years of school with no sandwiches in the lunchbox. My daughter is in seventh grade and still refuses to have a sandwich for lunch. My husband makes up a tray of baked chicken thighs every Sunday night, and she has a piece of chicken and a tomato and mozzarella salad. Every day. For lunch.
Except when we went to Paris this summer. She discovered French baguettes and camambert cheese. For seven days she had that for lunch. And now she's back to chicken. Sigh.
295. Sandee said:
Savor the non-stop dialogue.
When she's in high school, you'll get nothing!
296. Lisa Gallien said:
We are in the meeting the kids for a glass of wine and dinner stage now and it is WONDERFUL. Enjoy the ride to there because as I'm sure you've heard umpteen million times: it's a quick one...
297. kym b said:
that was a truly beautifully written story. you rock. at motherhood and writing.
298. Elena said:
Yay, CONGRATULATIONS! You all have come such a long way.
Peter and Angela just started Kindergarten this week, too! They went on their first school bus ride and I couldn't help thinking about how they were preemies and medicine and the monitors and PPD and all that - and now? They climb on the bus, and they have a fantastic day. Simple.
Your post is lovingly and beautifully written, as always.
299. Holly said:
What a cute little sassy picture.
300. Kristin said:
What a great post!! Your daughter sounds so remarkably full of life. We took our older daughter to college 2 weeks ago, and I cried tears just like you did. We met her for dinner on Sunday, and she had the same intensity of databurst that you described! OK - so, guys and football games and sorority houses replaced the princess castle and computers...but it's the same thing. It is so fun to experience it all through their eyes - just like you did with Leta.
A reminder to us all to savor the moments...
301. Lesley from Sydney said:
That brought tears to my eyes. The way you described that day is exactly how I felt 6 (6 ?!!) years ago when I dropped my beautiful boy Jack at his first day of kindergarten. *sigh*
Now he's nearly as tall as I am & in those pre-teen/grumpy/nearly-hormonal-hell that is to live with a teenager. Enjoy these years!!!!!!!
302. Mrs. Wilson said:
You're an amazing mom. And your kid is awesome. And that's all I have to say about that.
303. Karen said:
As a kindergarten teacher, I see the first day of school for so many little ones and it never, ever gets old. The love in your and Leta's story is so apparent and beautiful that it brought tears to my eyes. And now you know the secret of all kindergarten teachers--their tears are our tears, and their happiness is ours. It never ceases to amaze me watching the first separations. I am equally amazed on the one day of school that I don't like, the last day. On that day your children have come to feel like my own and I must now let them go. There is nothing quite so spectacular as kindergarten.
304. Elizabeth L said:
This made me cry at the end. I feel the same way with my 3.5 year old starting preschool. I can't wait for the wine drinking when she's a mom. It's crazy to think of that stuff already but I guess I'm not the only one.