First Day of Second Grade

Today was yet another milestone in our lives.  It's a ritual that will be repeated every year and will always involve the excitement of the future unfolding and the nervousness of the unknown.  At least for me.  Today was Casey's first day of school.  She's in a new building this year and that means new rooms, hallways, lunch tables and faces.

 

When I dropped Casey off she looked back only once at me with a half smile only because I shouted, "I love you!"  It was generous of her to give me that little smile and not roll her eyes at THAT mom in the parking lot.  I know the days of eye rolling will come soon enough.  Maybe not until fourth grade?  Third?  Please, please don't let it be second grade.  I'm not ready for it.  She still needs me too much for eye rolling.  Right?

I will say Emily handled herself well during drop off.  I would have guessed she would feel royally jipped for missing out on going to school, but there was no crying or begging to go with Casey.  Her first day of pre-school will come in a week and a half.  I hope I don't cry.  Okay, who am I kidding?  I know I will. 

Emily and I busied ourselves with visiting a neighbor and her new teeny tiny baby for a little while then we scrapped our plans of running errands and cleaned the house.  And purged the toy room.  Missing your child?  Go look at where the toys are thrown around your house and dig in.  Nothing will get your mind off of missing your child like knowing their absence is the only way all their stuff they don't play with will be permanently removed from your house.

 

Soon enough it was time for pick up and she told me without asking as she was getting into the car, how awesome her day was and how funny and cool her teacher is.  She said the boys in her class were annoying and apparently made fart noises quite a bit.  There are about twice as many boys in her class as girls and I'm glad she is in the designated "cute little girl" minority. 

She had a soccer scrimmage tonight.  I had a haircut scheduled this evening so I had to miss it.  Honestly, based on our last 2 seasons of soccer, I didn't expect to miss much.  The first season she played (maybe she was 5), she scored 6 goals in one game.  And ever since, she has been more interested in the snacks and biting her finger nails during soccer games.  We gave her the option of playing basketball, cheering, gymnastics, volleyball or soccer this fall and we were shocked when she chose soccer.  And wouldn't you know, she scored a goal tonight, blocked one goal and, according to Tom, played really hard tonight.  And I missed it.  Rats. 

She went to bed tonight saying what a wonderful day it was and asked if I was proud of her.  There were many hugs and kisses and we said a prayer in hopes that day 2 of second grade goes as well as today.  Second grade.... how did she get so big in such a short time?  I'm getting sentimental again.  I guess I better look for something else to clean.