It was the best of times, it was the worst of times. It was the first day of school.
I did not shed a single tear this year as I kicked my little chickies out of the nest. I could only hope for the best. This is how their stories go:
Tale #1: Daughter woke at 6 am, full of life and happiness. Yay! First day of school! Daughter already had her clothes picked out (a graphic tee with the slogan "Nerd Alert" on it. No, I am not making this up.) Obligatory first day of school picture is taken with her sporting a lovely peace sign-covered backpack (worn on one shoulder only this year. She has matured.) Was so excited to be "older" this year, in the same hall as the oldest kids. Lots of new students in class and she is going to be friends with them, but is not sure if she will ever remember their names. Sits by all boys - by choice? Watch out for that one, Scott. Surrounded by friends at lunch, has a very happy recess on brand new playground equipment, rides home with a good buddy from class and the bus driver does not yell or anything bad. Daughter is greeted at the door by me, holding a glass bowl filled with peanut butter M&Ms. One minute later, I am signing every possible permission slip required by the administration. Daughter proudly shows me her homework binder that she has organized with tabs, her very first agenda, and perfect handwriting is all over it. She immediately does her homework as I toss her M&Ms. Then, we go do our cardio workout. Daughter is not tired yet and cannot stop talking about her exciting day. Evening is capped off with a brand new Adventure Time with Finn and Jake. Life is wonderful.
Tale #2: Daughter drags her weary body out of bed. Could not go to sleep last night - must have been nail polish fumes in her bedroom or something like that. The hair is pretty big this morning, so she must bind the hairy beast. Slumps at the breakfast table. Packs her own lunch, and I smile because she is showing some gumption now. Dresses in her newest clothes, which includes jeans with lots of holes in them, but none in revealing places, so they pass the dress code. Daughter wears her new Keds with the yellow laces, which reminds me of being in middle school and wearing my Keds, too. No first day photo - she is too mature for that. Makes a mournful face and trudges off to the bus stop. At least the makeup looks good on her, and no breakouts :) Comes home 30 minutes late, but it is because she chose to walk home from school. Walked home with lots of other kids and liked it? Yes, it's true. Had the best possible thing happen at school: the counselors finally put her on the correct team where she has all of the classes and actually has friends. She is no longer a transient soul! She is happy! She found friends at lunch! She is impressed with a couple of teachers! She is excited about all of the chorus activities this year! Wicked! Disney! Singing at Braves and Hawks games! She is not in P.E.! And she is eating peanut butter M&Ms, happily watching Psych reruns on cable! She has not had a good first day of school in years - the drought is over, and this mom feels saturated with the good things that blessed her daughters today. Life is wonderful.
And then we grabbed our church bulletins and got free sandwiches at Chic-Fil-A. The End.
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