And into the garten she goes.

Two weeks ago, Cheeky started kindergarten. The first day came early, here in Texas, where for some inexplicable reason school starts in August. Remember the days when it started right after Labor Day? Isn't that the correct order of things? I think so.

Anyway,we had all summer long to prep for the auspicious occasion. Although Cheeky has been in full-time preschool for the past year, everyone was making a big deal about The Start of Kindergarten. "So exciting," they'd exclaim. "Such a big kid," they'd coo. "Wow, real school,"they'd say, waiting for some sign of acceptance, glee or even just a smirk from the kid herself. She'd suddenly turn shy (not that this is ever really a sudden or surprising occurrence) and say "Yeah." Not much else.

In the few weeks leading up to The Big Day, we tried to keep up the excitement by flooding her with information about how much fun, how interesting and great kindergarten would be. And while she humored us, she was nervous.

Then again, so was I. Much to my surprise the anticpation of my one and only "baby" embarking upon a lifetime of formal schooling (ok, not a lifetime but it sure seemed like it'd never end when I was in it) reduced me to a blubbering mess on a fairly regular basis. Oh boy. Blubbering in the summer before kindergarten - how on earth would I survive the first day????

The Friday before the official start of school, there was an orientation - meet the teacher, wander the halls, foster some vague sense of familiarity so the kid won't freak when we actually leave her there. The teacher was sweet, young and pretty - perfect for our princess-obsessed princess. To boot, her name was Chloe. What luck! But wait...is that a hint of sadism I detect? While she read a book to the kids about being tough and strong on the first day of kindergarten, I stifled tears. Then, I flipped over the handout. On the last page was a poem which I couldn't read at the time and over which I still get choked up, even as I inflict it upon you:

The First Day of School (as transcribed through a haze of tears)

Don't turn around my little child

don't watch me walk away...

Because I'll want to take you home

and keep you one more day...

Standing tall in brand new shoes

your hand is on the door...

If I could freeze this moment, dear

you'd be my babe once more...

But new adventures wait for you

new places and new friends....

The road ahead is wide and long

and filled with forks and bends...

It's time for us to say goodbye;

you show the strength I lack...

For as I turn to leave you there

it's I who must turn back...

Maybe not as rough, but I'd put that, in its context, in the same category as Love You Forever - a book that Cheeky chooses for us to read just to watch us cry. Every time. I swear.

Yet when the day came, I defied the odds and made it through drop-off without breaking down. And so did Cheeky! Piece of cake. Of course, then I came home to enjoy some solitude in front of the TV, only to be reduced to sobs while watching an Office Max. Commercial. Embarassing? Yes indeed.

Now that the tears (mine) have dried and we're two weeks in, I'm happy to report that kindergarten is a big hit. The first-day report was simply a head shake and the words "not good." The second day? "I like kindergarten! A lot!"

Way to go, Cheeky!

 

 

 

 

Comments

[WCG]

Any teacher who gives out a poem like that to moms is a sadist. I wanted to cry too and it's been 40 years since I sent my first to school. Anyway, glad things are going well. Love the picture.
WCG