The first day of school.
I am not sure who the first day of school is harder for…..the parents or the children.
My happy Hunter Wedge Rain boots did manage to make me smile throughout my day.
I had to leave the house before Principessa even got on the bus…..leaving Rocket in charge. Leaving Prinicpessa to head off to the world of first grade and elementary school without me. Though not entirely. I put not just one, but two notes saying “I am proud of you, love Mamma” in her lunch and pencil box to find as a surprise).
Waiting....about to take an unanticipated adventure on the wrong bus.
I sat in my empty classroom (because no one wants to see the advanced academic resource teacher during the first week of school except for parents), trying to get organized, do administrative paperwork….but really, wondering.What was she doing? Had she called out yet without raising her hand? Had she done any writing or reading yet? Had she made a new friend?
Until of course I got the text from a neighbor that said that the three neighborhood kids (including Principessa) had gotten on the wrong bus. Then I went into overdrive calling the school, calling the transportation office, trying to figure out the who, what, where, why, and how.
And then of course there was the mad dash to get home before the bus. The dash made slower by having parked in the parking lot that was blocked by the school buses at my own school. The mad dash that was more turtle-esque like than a speed demon-y dash.
Then there was the realization that in an attempt to follow ALL the directions, Principessa grabbed the extra folder with all the papers for me to KEEP….and brought it to school. Not only did she bring it to school, but she clearly heard me say, “turn EVERYTHING in to your teacher.” So the PTA calendar, the school lunch menu, the stack of REALLY important information….was at school. Which of course meant….an email to the teacher.
In the end, we all survived. Principessa recounted her day and listed on of the best things about her day as “only getting two or three reminders.”
Yes, only two or three reminders is really that exciting. And yes, I know the pic is blurry. It is the best I could do.
The best thing about my first day of school? That it was over. 
How did your first day go?
xo
Elena
{ 22 comments… read them below or add one }
Yeah for her! And you both look so stylish! #2 got lost last year. He didn’t get off the bus at home and the school had no idea where he was. We were seconds from calling the police (after they went through the search bus/search school closets routine) when a friend called and said they had him. Literally the scariest moment of my life! So happy things worked out happy for you and her!
I can only imagine! Luckily the kids stayed calm…I on the other hand felt utterly useless and out of the loop trying to piece together information. Glad it is over. So glad!
Only 2 or 3 reminders on the first day? Ha ha! Sounds like something my youngest would say. The first day is always the hardest!
I hope you are right!! (about the first day being the hardest!)
Did the bus take them to a different school? Great bonding experience for the bust stop buddies! They’ll laugh about in years from now.
No–the bus driver dropped them off across the street from the next stop on our regular route. It would have taken them to a wrong school had the 5th grader (also a patrol) from our group not realized that there was no one she knew on the bus.
Sounds a bit of an eventful first day … but both of you survived. I love that she followed directions to the letter!!
Visiting from Mama Kats.
Wow, wrong bus would freak me out. Glad she took it all in stride (and you too). Love that she was proud of only 2 or 3 reminders. That is an AWESOME day!
First days! Whatever did you do about after care?
We found a sitter for Monday afternoons. But Tuesday-Friday I have to leave with our buses to make it home in time.
I’m hearing too many bus “nightmare” stories lately. Guess this is why I still pick up my kid (and hubs takes him in the morning). Hope it goes more smoothly from here on out.
And you both look GREAT!
Me too!
Oh dear- definitely harder on parents than kids, but the wrong bus! I would’ve been on overdrive, too!
XO
Add in the teacher hat, and it makes for a very long day.
Aww you two looks so darn cute together! Love your boots btw. So glad to hear you both ‘survived’ first day of school
Here we don’t have the big yellow school bus bohooo my boy has asked a million times to let him ride the yellow school bus like he saw on tv/movies. He’s still home from a Muslim holiday but I’m sure our first day back to school would be interesting.
Awww thanks!
This all sounds incredibly stressful. I will need a lot of wine when mine goes to school!
Also? You look fab
Yes, yes…I am there. with wine.
It is definitely harder on the parents! That is one crazy day you guys had!
OH MAN! You had a crazy crazy day! I would have been in a utter panic about my kid getting on the wrong bus. UGH!
You guys look so cute in that first picture! And just a couple of warnings is a fabulous start! They have to learn the ropes!
Hope you had a glass of wine that evening!
Only 2 or 3 reminders – GREAT! And I think the first day IS harder on the parents than the kids – we know what’s coming!
Oh, man. Every time I read one of these first day of school posts, my heart contracts. It’s still three years away for us, but I’m already dreading it. Can’t I just keep my little girl, please?