Thursday, August 30, 2007

Little Tables and Little Chairs

My son is starting Kindergarten this Tuesday.

Keith and I went for Parent Orientation a couple nights ago and got to tour his new room and meet with his new teacher. The brightly lit room was filled with items bearing my son's name. There were little semi-circle tables on which a big label bore his first and last name. There was a "clothesline" of T-shirts with one that read "Daniel." On another wall was a year's worth of cupcakes and there was his right next to a tree full of apples with a student's name written on each. Then I spotted my favorite... a little blue school supplies box complete with little scissors and little glue...and pencils...yummy yummy school supplies neatly labeled with his name.

The organization freak in me can hardly stand it.

This time of year is my favorite for many reasons. We're on the cusp of my favorite season--Fall. School buses abound and the temperature is dropping (albeit slowly). College football is on its way and pretty soon I'll be trading my shorts and short sleeves for my favorite pants and cozy sweaters. (OK, that probably won't be til March here...but you get my point!)

But this year is different. Our son is in SCHOOL. Real school. Five-day-a-week school. We have begun those 13 years of schooling that really count. He'll be learning to read and do math problems. It's sort of a contradiction in my heart because, since we got him at age two, it feels like we've had him forever. But, at the same time, it feels just like yesterday and I can't believe that next week he'll be sporting his new backpack and lunch box and heading out the door to (what he calls) Big Boy School.

Where did the summer go? I guess the time has indeed come... for little tables and little chairs...and little hands holding pencils and books and...yes, my heart.

Kindergarten? Already?

4 comments:

Megan Cobb said...

Sniffle. I'm not ready, either. I am torn over pre-school which is only twice a week for two hours. I feel your pain, I do. Hope it all goes well... for all of you. Take pictures!

Anonymous said...

Coming from the teacher side of it, he will be fine. He will make lots of friends. Also, be careful what you talk about around them at home...You never know what they are going to talk about at school. One of mine during a discussion let me know that his dad burped beer. It will be hard to let him stay with someone else for the day, but imagine how happy he will be to see you in the afternoon and all that he will share with you when the day is over. This will be a wonderful experience for you all.

Megan Cobb said...

Roses are Red,
Violets are Violet,
Your mad poetry skillz
Have left me quite silent.

Your gentle encouraging
Pats on the back
Make me pounce at my keyboard
And clickity clack.

For you, my sweet friend,
I would write until nightfall
To elicit your comments
So kind and insightful.

The Estrogen Files said...

Came over from Fried Okra and have to agree - school comes WAY too fast for the little ones. Next thing you know, he'll be in 6th grade!