Well, my little man started kindergarten. And I was surprisingly not-at-all sad because it was such a happy time. Seriously. Not even a hint of a tear. I think it was because he was SO STINKIN’ EXCITED that there was just no way to be anything other than thrilled to pieces about the whole big school adventure.
The back-to-school breakfast? Grits, of course. And a few minutes of Star Wars. Because OH MY SWEET MERCY the Star Wars obsession around here is somewhere around mach-five-Death-Star-Obi-Wan-warp-speed-squared levels.
(No sense I make.)
(Eluded me always science-fiction has.)
Anyway.
The first day marked the return to tennis shoes after a summer of Crocs and flip-flops. The little man was so happy to see a pair of REAL LIVE SOCKS when he was getting dressed that you would’ve sworn they were long-lost friends. Which I guess they sort of were. Since he hasn’t worn socks since May and all.
A. adores his teacher, who, by all accounts, is the Mary Poppins of the kindergarten set. I also adore her because she has more of a Southern accent than I do, and that is NO SMALL FEAT, my friends.
After the first chock-full-o-fun-day-o-school, we went to lunch with my sweet friend NK and her girls. We did this last year after the first day of preschool, and we decided to make it an annual tradition. The kids had a great time comparing notes on their kindergarten classes, and then they enjoyed a lively game of hide and seek on the restaurant’s patio.
Yes. You read that correctly. I ate a meal in the out of doors. In Alabama. In August. And somehow lived to tell the tale.
So, to recap: my child started kindergarten and I did not cry. Then we went to lunch and I ate outside. Either I’m in the midst of a profound hormonal imbalance or I experienced two miracles within six hours of each other.
It’s probably that first thing.
But even still. It was a really great day.
Channeling Yoda, you are.
Breakfast of Champions, grits are.
Kindergartener lover, A is :).
Hormonal imbalance (not touchin’ that with a ten-foot pole!)
;)
(His face is shining brighter than the sun in those picchas…so proud, he is (oops! Yoda again!) ).
I’m glad you made it without crying. Alex is BEAUTIFUL!!! Seeing him so happy – had to make you happy!
I totally caught the Yoda reference. ha!
August in AR right now is 68 degrees – what is going on?????? This may be the first year where I don’t lost 5 lbs in sweat at the first football game.
P.S. Harper would totally wear a Miss State outfit – but only when the dawgs play Ole miss!
My daughter started kindergarten this year too, but I did cry… like a baby! It’s okay now, but it’s taken two weeks!
I am glad yall had a good experience – enjoy the new “freedom”!
Finally, a mom willing to admit she didn’t cry! I didn’t either because my son was so incredibly thrilled to be going to ‘big school’ with his friends and computers and a cafeteria! He loved it then. Seven years later, not so much. Everyone always talks about how sad it is and I felt like a bad mom for not being upset. How silly we mamas can be.
sometimes i tell these yankees that my southern accent was MUCH worse than it is now…. and they don’t believe me.
glad to know someone has an accent thicker than yours.
My kids found where I had stashed their socks and have taken to wearing them constantly. With crocs, sandals, whatever they can get away with. And since I’m on bed rest, I can’t really control it. Sam likes to wear socks so he can slide around the house and run into walls. Should I be concerned?
Those must be fierce hormones at work to keep a Mama from sobbing on her baby boy’s first day of kindergarten. And an outside lunch all in one day. This is beginning to sound like science fiction.
Glad to hear he has a supercalafra…you know what I mean…teacher.
It’s still flipflop weather down in the south of Georgia.
BUT, I just told my 5yodd yesterday that she has to stop using her socks for PollyPocket beds from this point on or else we’ll not have any socks that match when Fall arrives!!
She even had her brother’s r2d2 in a sock bed yesterday!
How sweet! This makes me look forward to my daughter’s first day of school–and makes me glad that I still have a couple of years before that happens. :-)
Oh, happy day for Boo and his mama! :- )
august in arkansas is weird right now. we could so eat outside if we didn’t mind rain in our food.
he looks adorable and so happy!
Oh -the milestones! I was not upset with my A’s start of school. He was ready and excited. However the first tooth to come out sent me over the edge! He no longer LOOKED as young.
Blessings on the year!
My oldest starts kindergarten after Labor Day. We’re home schooling so it’s a little different. I may cry anyway. For different reasons but related to him and Kinderg. = )
Nothing weird there, well maybe the outdoors thing for lunch. It is totally out of the question down here in T’town.
I was elated when my kids went off to school and they were too. The only thing they were not elated about…..wearing tennis shoes!
You know, it’s just as okay not to cry, right?! I’m glad you’re enjoying him so much Boomama. So glad Howard had such a great start. ;)
WOW – you would have to be visually impaired to not be able to see that he is your child…..he is a little clone of you!
Did that sentance make sense? I think I may just have broken some unspoken grammar law…
Anyway, he is, in one word…
Adorable!
My 5 yr old was elated about going to Kindergarten. Me not so much. I cried to which he promptly responded, “Mom, quit acting stupid”. I walked him to his classroom and asked for a kiss to which I got “Uh, no Mom. And no hugs either”. No separation anxiety on his part. He’s the same kid who had to sleep with me and hold my hand the night before, but the friends weren’t watching then. :)
I would like to tell you the Star Wars thing will eventually settle down but it hasn’t. Feel your pain, I do. Darn that little green man!
Alex is getting so big! Too cute!
Oh my goodness! That child has the most beautiful eyes.
I have no children, but I remember my 1st day of kindergarten (wayyyy back when circa 1977) and I remember setting out what I wanted to wear, my hair ribbons, etc. It was a big day!
Glad to hear it went well! : )
awe…what a handsome and happy little guy. well done, BooMama, well done. :)
i vote for miracle. glad he had a good first day!
Seriously, miraculous! I couldn’t even look at my little man because he had such a look of trepidation on his face. You see, he’s a little guy, and those other kindergartners? Well, they’re not so little! I made it through the drop off and goodbyes, but the second the car door shut, it was all over. Bawled the whole way to work! You would have thought he was my first. I guess it’s that he’s the last! Way to have the inner strength, Boomama! Maybe it was a little of the forward thinking about lunch that helped you hold it together?
I took my baby to PreK today. For a whole two and one half hours. Sweet little thing wanted his momma to stay in class. But he didn’t cry. I didn’t cry.
Es un milagro.
I was a kindergarten teacher for several years before I began my role as stay-at-home mom. The beginning of the school year was always such an exciting time with everything from clothes to crayons fresh and new. There is nothing better than a happy child (and parent) on the first day of kindergarten!
My daughter started kindergarten this week too. It was bittersweet, but I didn’t cry either – she was just too excited and happy about it for me not to be as well. Now if we could just get her to tell us about her day…
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q-gi4Nt_xxg&feature=related
You MUST listen/watch the above if you are Star Wars people….hysterical!
I hate eating outside with the bugs. It’s most scary! I’m glad you did okay with sending A out into the world…big steps! :o)
I loved this post! I have so much anxiety about my daughter going to kindergarten and she doesn’t even start until next year. I have read so many blog posts lately about parents sending their kids off to school for the first time but your post for once didn’t make me feel anxious or sad. It made me feel excited for my daughter instead! Thank you! I also love the picture of the two kids together. So sweet!
I’m glad he was so excited. My oldest started kindergarten today too & he was just thrilled with the idea. I waited until the bus was out of sight before I cried.
We’re going out to dinner soon & the boys have requested we sit outside. I’m hoping I manage to survive that.
Your little man is as cute as a button!
I’m SO glad! I was praying for you all and kindergarten this week.
I sent our Tabor off to half day kindergarten (it’s $13 a day for full day in Colorado!) and had nary a tear either. I guess it’s just such a great time to see a few flying feathers growing in, that they must fly with them a bit!
See you this weekend!
Love,
Holly
I know it’s a really big deal for your little man to have started kindergarten, but seriously, you ate outside in the middle of the day in Alabama? I’m not even sure why they offer outdoor seating from April to October… ;).
My girls have been in school since the 7th: one in 10th grade and the other in 8th. booooo hooooo
I’m leaving Friday for San Antonio!!! WOO HOO I’m so so so excited (can you tell?)!!
OMG he’s so cute! I’m glad he had a good time and that you didn’t cry. I did the “sucking in of breath” when I dropped the older one off last year but I didn’t cry till I got back to the car. I didn’t want to embarrass him. But I totally shocked myself when I didn’t cry when I dropped my baby off at preschool. Maybe because he’s heck on wheels. I was just glad to be free of that one for a few hours;)
Awwww, so cute. Now just wait until he goes to college. Betcha you’ll cry then!
Oh my stinkin’ heck the Star Wars obsession has been around here for over a year, and I have ALL GIRLS. The husband is living vicariously through his girls since he hasn’t been blessed with boys yet.
On the kindergarten front, we started homeschooling with my oldest in kindergarten last week. I wanted to cry all week because I didn’t send her to school! Serious adjustments going on here, but this week is going better!
What a cutie – he looks just like his Mama. My youngest starts kindergarten next week. I don’t think that I will cry either, because I know he is in good hands. His teacher also taught my older two children. On the other hand, my oldest starts middle school, and I can already feel the knot in my stomach.
I have been reading your blog for a long time….I cannot believe Alex is in Kindergarten! I cannot imagine Chloe that old!!
What a cutie-pie! So glad he had a nice first day…
I can’t get over how much he looks like his Mama!
So are you excited about this weekend yet?
Good for you!! My first born starts the big Kindergarten tomorrow and I’m not going to cry either…at least that’s the plan!
Like your son, she is very excited too and that makes it so much easier. I can’t imagine if she were struggling to go…oh dear….
God bless you in this new phase with your very cute son! :)
I love the remote with b-fast, one can never have enough Star Wars. I too sent my baby to school for the first time and I did not cry, granted his 14, going to high school and crying may have gotten him beat up or something. *smile*
Ahh, that is precious…and the sock story made me laugh.
Dug the Yoda speak.
And could relate to the reunion of socks. But my girl only wears them on pe day when she has to. Because, it is indeed still 105-110 here on the surface of the sun.
He is one cute little mister!
Totally with ya. I didn’t shed a tear on the first day for both of my older kids. But let me warn you, the last day of kindergarten is actually much MUCH worse than the first. That’s when the tears came for me – not because I was bemoaning the fact that I would spend the next 90 days with my children (Every. Single. Day.), but because I realized how quickly the year had passed and how much more quickly the next 12 years would fly.
Love the Star Wars comments! We’re right there with ya on that one, too!
what a GORGEOUS child you have!
He is a handsome little man, Mama. :)
love Yoda.
I’d never seen Star Wars, even the original 3 growing up. So one day, a couple years ago, I sat on the couch with my (very proud to have his Mama do this) 9 yr old, and we watched ALL. SIX. EPISODES.
In order.
Back to Back.
Now that was a long day, my friend.
Good Times.
I’m so glad kindergarten is so much fun for him. My two LOVE school, social butterflies that they are.
I may be a bit weird, but I cried on my child’s last day of kindergarten instead of his first. I was 8 months pregnant and his teacher tearfully read a poem about their kindergarten year. I was a goner! :)
Glad that A is liking kindergarten!
I LURVE the bedhead at breakfast. But in that second picture he is such a big handsome boy! SOOOO cute!
Your son is so handsome! And I’m so glad there were no tears.
My son starts kindergarten next week and is half excited half nervous. So I hope there won’t be any tears – from him or me!
Yay! :) I’m so glad you BOTH had a good day! I don’t “get” science-fiction either. My husband does. A LOT!
My “baby” started K too! No tears for either of us. I asked her if she missed me and she said “what!!! are you kidding me?” That means, no.
I do believe that boy of yours sports your pretty blue eyes! Good job, BooMama, keepin those tears at bay! I really had to suck it up on Pre-K Day One so I wouldn’t embarrass myself in front of the tough moms.
I love when they are excited to start school
My little man – Cole was so excited he was WAITING for me by the door telling me to hurry up!
It does make it easier when they are excited :)
see you soon
Kim
Glad it was such a good day! He is so adorable and grown up looking!
He just couldn’t be any cuter, Sophie. When I first “met” you, he was practically a baby. Look at him now!
You didn’t cry? Wow. I’m proud of you. I made a complete fool of myself when Krissy started kindergarten. In my office. Because that’s where I had to go right after I dropped her off.
Believe it or not, my daughter’s kindergarten teacher’s name was Ms. Sunshine. I swear, that was her name. Perfect. OK, she was German and her name was really Sonnenshein. But to the kids, she was Ms. Sunshine. She was in a wheelchair, too, (MS) and she was amazing.
But still, I cried like a baby. Until noon. And I did it the next day, too. Sigh. If you didn’t cry, you’re my hero.
I’m so glad he had a great day (and you too)! It makes such a difference if they are happy and excited.
He looks sooo grown up! Something about dropping them off at “big” school makes them grow like 3 years or something.
That is awesome you made it without crying – I cried like a baby because my daughter is going to a different school and it’s the first year she’s not in the same school that I teach in. She didn’t see me, but oh my the tears. So glad that A loves kindergarten!
oooohhh, he is soo cute and starting to look more and more like you!
Glad he and you had a great day!
That’s wonderful!!
He is sooooo cute!!! Whata smile!!!
I don’t even outside and I am in Indiana, I likely would have died of heat stroke before the meal was over.
LOL at the “hormonal imbalance”, you crack me up!
He is adorable! I’m glad he had such a fun first day
He is ADORABLE.
BUT WAIT ONE SECOND – – – – WHAT IS THAT JERSEY HE IS WEARING????????
That does NOT look like Miss. State BULLDOG colors. That looks like MICHIGAN colors – – – oh PLEASE tell me your darlin’ little boy is NOT a Wolverine fan!!!!
Just sayin’ – – – – ’cause I’m a Badger – – –
ooops – – – I have a different blog link now and I forgot to fix it in that previous comment
Oh, I’m so glad he enjoyed his first day of Kindergarten and that you survived it as well!
My Snuggle Bug started preschool on 13 August (last week) and we’re pleasantly surprised at how much he loves it! He goes 3 half days per week from 8:30 AM- 12:30 PM. So far, we love the school staff and especially his teacher! My husband is enjoying the peace and quiet at home during these school days.
Hooray for school!
The smile on his face says it all. So glad he loves school. I would like to say I didn’t cry when I took the oldest for his first day of kindergarten. I didn’t cry in front of him. But once in the car, I bawled like a baby. For a whole 10 minutes. Then no more crying, until the last day of school. When school starts Monday, he will be in third grade. Where did the time go? Sigh…
Well, will you just look at that boy’s smile! I bet it never left his face all day. :) Glad the first day ended up being a very sweet day of memories you will both cherish for years to come.
I recently lamented that’s the one thing I hate about homeschooling…I feel like I’m missing out..lol.
I’m a Yankee, but I feel so affectionate towards you, Boo Mama, through your blog & podcast that I have to confess that if my son’s Kindergarten teacher has a southern accent like yours, it would give me a huge amount of comfort about the whole thing. (I’m SO nervous about what teacher he’ll get & the whole kindergarten thing!) I’m going to start praying for a southern teacher. :)
Sweet memories!
My good friend’s daughter just started Pre-K. I asked her if she (the mom) did okay when she dropped her.
“Yea, I didn’t cry, I was so excited!”
“Not even on the way home,” I asked.
“NO…Bon Jovi was on!”
You’re not alone. Clearly. And you even made it through without Bon Jovi- i’m guessing, since you didn’t mention it. ;)
Your son is precious!
Rena
So glad to see some new photos of your little man! He’s precious! And I’m thrilled it was a wonderful day for BOTH of you. (My Ben starts kindergarten in two more weeks.)
If he’s happy, you’re happy. That works, in my opinion.
Hope he gets to wear socks again tomorrow. I can only imagine the joy….
Congrats on both counts!
Howard at kindergarten…Boo Mama with newfound freedom…what can happen next?
How sweet and what a great way to start Kindergarten! We go back next week ! Take care, Julie
Oh. my. goodness. He is so adorable! So glad he’s enjoying school!
Well..my my my. Everyone has had a good day huh?! :) So proud of the little/big guy.
Headin out to Nashville..catchin a plane..lots of coffee…heading to the big state of TX!! WOO HOO!!
I hear you about the weather…I’m a Mississippi girl, too, who lives close to the Alabama line. It’s brutal in the summer. But the humidity is good for our skin, no?
Good to know you and your little boy made it through the day. I remember when my daughter started Kindergarten….sigh…now she’s in college…sniff.
Alex is such a cutie! My kids are Star Wars-obsessed as well.
My oldest starts K-garten on Monday! I don’t think I’ll be very sad either, and for the same reason you weren’t…my little girl is really excited about it. I wish we could go out to lunch after school like you guys did! My daughter will be at the public school, and I’m dreading the long days. I think they should have half-day kindergarten. 1st grade is soon enough to start the long days. I think it will be a fun year though. The early wake-up time will be a big adjustment for my daughter though! Wish us luck!
Oh – I’m looking forward to another Fall of your posts about MSU football! GO DAWGS!!
I’m so glad his first day went well for both of you. I know the whole eating out of doors in August in the South is an oddity. However, I know here in central Ms. we have been floored at the unseasonably cooler temps. for August. Oh, I hope I didn’t just jinx it!!
Have a great week.
I’m so impressed that you didn’t cry. My oldest doesn’t start kindergarten for at least two more years, and I got teary yesterday. Seeing all the “first day of school” chaos and fun when I drove by the elementary school during drop off time; I know it will be his turn in no time.
You’re going to have to record her accent and post it, because otherwise? I DON’T BELIEVE YOU. ;)
Mine started kindergarten too. Only it was for the third time. The story is posted on my blog for all those interested in how a 4 year old can get EXPELLED from kindergarten. Oh yes, girl, it’s bad. http://www.momsministryandmore.blogspot.com
Hormones are like that!!! You probably didn’t eat enough dark chocolate that day to off set the hormones. That’s my remedy!
I’m proud of you. You were very brave.
I love every year watching the school bus pull up on the very first day and you can tell which moms are letting go for the first time – they are sad, sad and the kid is usually skippedy happy to climb aboard. Good for you for enjoying the whole thing.
Love the Yoda talk BooMama!
I can only hope I will be that strong when my little one goes off to Kindergarten. Never mind that it will be three more years and I am already sad about it.
my brothers were the same way when kindergarten came around, so overly excited. i don’t think my mom cried at all, haha.
and he is just adorable :)
Your little guy sure is a cutie!
Socks? What are socks?
Sounds like a great first day for you both. Glad to hear this. Your now the mom of a school aged kid….enjoy!
He’s such a beautiful child! Congrats for surviving the big day, Mama!
I am also curious about the UofM jersey….go Blue!
What a sweet story about his first day. My son was completely absorbed with Star Wars during Kdg as well. I loved half day kdg. it was always fun to get part of the day over with and have my special afternoons with my kiddos.
We start school after labor day. This year I will have whole days to myself for the first time ever. Its a new world I am ready to explore. I feel like I am starting off a new year as well.
Blessings to you this weekend!
he is adorable! hope he has a wonderful year in kindy!
i found your blog through the blogroll of another lady’s blog and have really enjoyed reading it. as i have read along, i have been amassing reasons that i liked you. and today you gave me the final reason that i really enjoy reading your blog … you are in alabama! my family lives there too (though i no longer live there). and you are right … you are brave to eat outside in august. quite impressive!
This has to be right up there with being at the Dallas airport today when we welcomed our Gold medal girl back to Texas!!
Congrats Alex on your first day of kindergarten! I have a new Senior which is excting too!!
WHAT a cutie he is! And good for you on the not crying. I can’t promise I won’t cry when I send my daughter off to kindergarten on Sept 2. But I’ll do my best.
Oh and with PICTURES. How CUTE is he! AND HE LOOKS JUST LIKE YOU. Or, I guess I should say, his pictures look just like your pictures. Since I’ve never actually seen either of you.
My son put on socks for the first time in months today too and he was equally excited. Socks. Who woulda thought? Too bad it all wears off.
I can’t believe you didn’t cry.
Oh my word – he’s absolutely adorable! And such the grownup little man. He’ll make someone a handsome husband one day years and years and years from now :)
OK, when I took my youngest of 3 to kindergarten I was practically skipping out the door–so happy to have a day to myself was I! I was feeling a little giddy actually…joyful, free. I knew he was ready and I knew FOR SURE that I was ready too, so…Anyway, as I skipped on I noticed that all those around me lacked the pep in their step that I was experiencing! OHHH, this is a SAD day for some…oh yes, I gently reminded myself to walk calmly and add a sympathetic look to my face! Now, several years later I am experiencing some different emotions! We had a parents football meeting for JR HIGH! WHAT?! The coach said, “Your boys come here as young boys and leave here as young men”. Stop the truck!!! He was just born the other day, for cryin out loud! Wow. I am more somber today… I am thrilled for the process of life and watching my children grow and mature but I was definately NOT ready for this roller coaster of emotions! I am a little slower than the average mom I suppose!
Loved the Yoda-speak I did.
Also, loved the pictures. I can’t believe how old A. looks! And I love that he loved Kindergarten. That kind of enthusiasm really makes the whole transition for Mama so much easier.