I had intentions of writing this post yesterday on the actual first day of first grade but the day got away and for that matter the night too.
Part One in the Week of Firsts: My girl started first grade yesterday! She has been thrilled about becoming a first-grader for weeks. Anticipating who her teacher might be or what it would be like to play on the playground or go to lunchroom. And then of course there was the back-to-school shopping for supplies and a special first day dress. Clearly, an adventure unto its own.I realize as I delve into the pre-first grade preparation, I never wrote about any of this until now. So bear with me please as I review the Pre-First Grade Lessons presented before me in the last few weeks.
Pre-First Grade Lesson # 1: School Supplies
Lesson number one for next year. Wait until the school's meet and greet to get the actual supply list from the actual teacher. I thought it a cool albeit sly marketing strategy for our somewhat local big-box retailer to make school supply lists available back in July. They were organized neatly right next to the supply aisles. Point of sales tactic I knew but I fell prey in part due to my own excitement and remembering of my early days supply shopping with my mom. For me, the greatest thrill came when my mom finally caved and bought me "The Organizer" by Mead the latest greatest notebook circa 1972 I'm guessing. The Organizer was made I think of three pieces of cardboard covered in plastic of varying color or design. I remember belaboring over which design to get finally choosing a green plaid. Oh the delight of plasticated cardboard to my second-grader self. I couldn't have been more thrilled to have the same notebook as the other kids in class.
On shopping day, my girl, my sister and I went together to the Mall, a place I rarely go. I was proud to remember to bring the prescribed list with me. My girl helped check off each item we tossed into our cart: pencils, markers, the "Pink Pearl" eraser, colored pencils, folder, spiral with wide lines and a supply box. Now the supply box really threw me, There were two sizes and no specifications on the generic list. So, I called my mom-who is also a teacher-friend and asked her for advice. 8 1/2 x 5 inch in case you're wondering. Mission accomplished, supplies purchased. So in the end generic compared to the actual supply list her actual teacher gave us last week, we overbought just a little but really that was just fine as we donated the extra to the classroom.
Pre-First Grade Lesson #2: The Backpack
Choosing just the right backpack took some time. There were tears shed over the backpack for sure. Lands End no longer offering the color she wanted or me not want or LL Bean not yet having available the pack she wanted. We talked about perspective believe me. In the end, we found a rockin good LL Bean pack on ebay in great condition. We saved money and we reused, recycled and re-purposed something. And my girl got the pack she wanted and I think or at least I hope learned something about perspective. We bought a few patches that she arranged and I put on and the pack was her own. The pack is supposedly designed for little
kids, 5-8 but this sturdy piece of canvas is huge. My girl is petite yes, but this thing
is one-half her size I think. Luckily, she leaves supplies at school
so there's nothing too heavy inside. And the bottom line so far, she loves it.
Pre-First Grade Lesson #3: The Lunchbox
Getting a new luncbox for first grade just
seemed like the right thing to do. I wanted my girl to feel like she was
ready and had the tools to feel most comfortable in her new
surrounds. I remembered back to my early school days when I had to carry my brother's hand-me-down, workman style grey plastic lunchbox. Nothing short of mortifying. I begged I'm sure for a regular lunchbox for weeks and weeks until once again my mother finally caved and treated me tot a painted-metal Peanuts lunchbox. Lead Paint who know about that stuff then! I was in heaven.
The stipulation I had as my girl and I researched lunchboxes is that we make an environmentally good purchase. The box can be cute but we gotta be green. Too much waste around plastic bags. We mutually decided on the "Laptop Lunch" Bento system. These stylin, efficient lunch box systems are lead-free, bhp-free and whatever else-free plastic and maybe even recycled. The investment is not cheap but they seem sturdy and I figured we'd save on the recycled natural wax bags and plastic bags we used to prep lunches past. The colors are fun and they help us work towards zero waste. Let's face it her dad will eat any food left over. And how was the Bento on the first day? Well she helped pack her lunch and was thrilled for that alone. She didn't touch but a few bites of food yesterday because "Mama, lunch was so fast and fun" and I am sure she was having a ball talking but she liked her lunchbox.Hopefully today she eats more.
Pre-First Grade Lesson #4: First Grade Eve
The thrill of first-grade lasted until the eve before her first day...at 7:00 pm, nerves set in. "Mama, what if someone is mean?" "How will I know where to put my backpack?, Lunchbox?" "Mama, I'm scared."
Guess what I was nervous too but I didn't tell her that. I just listened to her and held her and we talked about those nerves. I shared my memories of the first day of school for me way back when and for that matter stories of many of my first days: teaching, learning, counseling. On the first day of starting anything new, I most always have felt nervous, anxious and yes scared sometimes. I reminded my girl that the other first-graders may be just as nervous as she and even her teacher may have a slight case of the nerves. We opened her window and altogether we blew her out her worries. That all seemed to make her feel a little better that and some soothing music before bed.
Pre-First Grade Lesson #5: First Grade Here We Come!
By morning, she was thankfully well-rested and ready to don her special new school dress her auntie purchased for her and new shoes we scored on clearance. She chose a hair-style. This hair-style thing is big on its own. My girl is thrilled to have hair long enough now to braid like her hero Laura Ingalls Wilder thought not yet as long as we imagine helrs to have been. She opted for a braid on either side her head with the rest of her hair hanging down. I took maybe 75 shots of my proud girl that covered moments with her papa, donning her new backpack, finishing her breakfast, sitting in her seat on the way to school, standing in front of her new school, holding hands with her dear buddy who is thankfully also her classmate as they headed into school for the first time and then in the classroom of course. I took so many shots because I wanted to capture everything. And I am not sure about anything yet when it comes to my new camera. That's right. I did it. I took a huge, step and bought a DSLR. A Canon Rebel XS to be exact. And I guess I didn't really buy it yet since I took advantage for the first time of paying on a 18-month, no-interest same as cash plan. Pardon me as I digress over my CAMERA that I am THRILLED about but more on that in "A Week of Firsts Part Two."
So, off she went into her classroom. We hugged tight and I whispered a few parting words of encouragement before a final morning wave and kiss. I must tell you, I was anything but relaxed inside yesterday. I was so excited to pick her up after school, hoping that little face would be revealing signs of a very good day. We left her in smiles and full of nervous energy. I wondered ...all day...is she ok? is she happy? Is she feeling comfortable? Did her Lunchbox spill? Oh as big as Kindergarten felt last year, moving into a bigger school felt huge to me and seeing my girl with her ever-so big backpack on her back shocked me into the knowing that she is growing and fast, becoming her own more and more.
Whooosh..Big day for the mama here and I'm sure the Papa too. By day's end when we picked her up, she was all smiles and told me she loved her day. With our neighbor friends, we took the girls for ice cream to celebrate. At dinner, we asked about her day and she was thrilled to provide every detail. They met the lunch staff, played on the playground, started two art projects and learned to use their planners. She discussed her homework which consists of reading 15 minutes each night. That alone thrilled my girl. She loves her teacher reporting she is soooo nice and she said hello to some new friends. She was beaming and I tell you so was I from the inside out.
I know there will be all sorts of days to come good and tough but for day one I could not ask for more. I am proud of this girl forging ahead and giving a new scene a whirl.
And here we are on day two. I came home from my workout this morning to find her reading in bed. She said she was excited about the day but starting to feel a few second-day nerves only because the teacher might change seats around today. We encouraged her to forge on ahead and feel her power, use her heart to reach out and meet somebody new and enjoy the seat mix.
As for me on day two, I'm procrastinating a little doing some work I must do. I am wondering how she is doing but feeling a little less anxious today. Just a little. I was happy to talk to a very dear friend today who took her fourth-grader and first-grader to school today and she reminded me the worry, the nerves never really stop because we love our children, we want the best for them, we want them to be happy, to thrive, for things not to be so hard for them.
Happy Firsts to All of You.
