It's Like Preschool In Real Life
August 25, 2008
Dear Noah,
This is what you looked like on your first day of school.
I had a different outfit picked out for you, but our dryer mysteriously broke in the night. So you wore this. Your school required closed-toe shoes, but I forgot to make sure your sneakers still fit. So they were a little tight. I'm sorry.
I combed your hair. You thought we were going to visit Nana and Pop Pop, probably because that's the only time I ever comb your hair.
You liked your Thomas the Tank Engine backpack but would not wear it. You asked to stay home. I wanted to let you stay home. I wanted to ask when you got so big, so smart, so preschooler. Then you asked to get in the green car and go to school. So we did.
You were a little nervous, but you did not cry. You left Pinky Dinky Doo and Baby Brother's Piano in the car -- they're in there now, waiting for you. You asked Daddy to carry you in, and he did. We forgot to bring the camera. There was a pretty little girl named Paige in your classroom when we got there, and when we said goodbye you were both exploring a little toy kitchen, preparing to make breakfast. You did not cry, but Mama did, a little.
It's different now. And it will be different all over again, once Baby Brother is born. I'm glad you'll have school and friends and things to do. But for now, as silly as it may be -- three hours! it's just three hours! -- I miss you, little man. I'll miss our days and mornings of Just Us, Just Doing Whatever We Want. It's been you and me, all day, every day, and it's hard to give that up. It's been a delight and a privilege to spend this time with you, Noah, and I'm proud of the boy I sent off to school this morning.
Love,
Your Ridiculous Mother Who Will Pick You Up In 20 Damn Minutes
PS. This is what you looked like when you came home from your first day of school.
Aw, that was so sweet it made me cry.
Posted by: Kim | August 25, 2008 at 02:30 PM
So grown up!!
Posted by: RebeccaB | August 25, 2008 at 02:31 PM
I'm crying. That was so sweet.
Posted by: Alice | August 25, 2008 at 02:31 PM
Awww, looks like his first day of school wore. him. out.
Posted by: Suzanne | August 25, 2008 at 02:31 PM
My youngest started preschool today also. Is it wrong to be jealous that my husband is the one who will hear all about her day at school first?
Posted by: anna | August 25, 2008 at 02:31 PM
Precious. And impressed that you were able to drop him off. Caius CRIED and CRIED and we're still struggling after 4 weeks of preschool. Now on 3 week break. Hopefully it will be better?
Anyway, Noah is SO sweet.
Posted by: Nina | August 25, 2008 at 02:36 PM
Even I had a couple of tears over that, from all the way over here!
Posted by: Megan | August 25, 2008 at 02:36 PM
Transitions. That is the hard part. My son started kindergarten last week and I still can't believe he is so big.
How do they grow so fast??
Posted by: sheilah | August 25, 2008 at 02:37 PM
Mine gets his first day tomorrow. It's great to see Noah did so well.
P.S. We're allowed to comb their hair? I must look into that.
Posted by: Jim | August 25, 2008 at 02:38 PM
Just about lost it when I saw him holding his toys! What a little man he has become!
Posted by: wordnerd | August 25, 2008 at 02:39 PM
Oh, Amy. He is just so precious. That last picture in particular is so sweet.
They really do grow up so fast, don't they - my oldest started kindergarten today! SOB.
Posted by: nonsoccermom | August 25, 2008 at 02:39 PM
Aw, heck, you made me cry AGAIN. I remember reading your blog when you were in labor with Noah - where did the time go?!?
Posted by: Megan | August 25, 2008 at 02:39 PM
Oh you made me cry with that last sweet baby breath picture of the big boy napping after his first day.
Posted by: Susannah aka Petunia Face | August 25, 2008 at 02:39 PM
awww! I remember that day! Both times ;). It doesn't get any easier - Toad started 2nd grade and all of a sudden there's discipline and homework! Eep! He's in REAL school now!!
Posted by: Randi | August 25, 2008 at 02:41 PM
So Sweet!
("Sunrise, Sunset", that damn Fiddler song is going off in my head!)
Posted by: Jen | August 25, 2008 at 02:41 PM
I hope Noah had such a great day!
Posted by: jodifur | August 25, 2008 at 02:42 PM
What a brave Noah! And a brave momma!
Posted by: meghan | August 25, 2008 at 02:43 PM
All I can say is AAAAAWWWWWWW. How sweet?!?!
Posted by: Vicki | August 25, 2008 at 02:43 PM
Kindergarten is every bit exhausting for a little one as pre-school. I was always glad to take mornings, so they could nap in the afternoon.
Posted by: Middle-Aged-Woman | August 25, 2008 at 02:43 PM
Ohhh, he looks so big with his backpack. Mine has a Thomas backpack also. This year will be his 3rd year of preschool. I'm hoping we can start this one without his tears at least.:)
Posted by: Susan | August 25, 2008 at 02:44 PM
Ack! My heart! She is cracked!
Good luck in school, sweetest boy.
Posted by: Lisa | August 25, 2008 at 02:44 PM
Tried so hard not to tear up while reading this-I'm at work.
Posted by: Sensibly Sassy | August 25, 2008 at 02:44 PM
OMG. I totally remember when I was first reading you, before he was even born. And now look. You've done a great job. Congrats!
Posted by: Hilary | August 25, 2008 at 02:45 PM
I'm so glad that it went well for him. It's SOOOOOO much harder when they're crying and won't let go and the teachers have to pry him off of you...that way is a lot harder on everyone (including the teachers). In fact, even though Gavin has been in daycare since he was 7wks old at the same place for the past 4 years, he had this sort of morning. So I'm really glad it went a lot better for someone else.
Noah totally looks like a big boy in the first pics, but still a bit like a sweet little baby in the last one. :)
Posted by: Colleen | August 25, 2008 at 02:45 PM
Aaaaaaaand you've made me cry at the office. Again.
You've got to stop doing that!
Posted by: Sarah | August 25, 2008 at 02:48 PM
ahhhh! He looked great for his first day! What a hard day for you! You did well :) And by the looks of things so did he.
Posted by: Alicia | August 25, 2008 at 02:52 PM
So sweet! Mine started his pre-k at our public school today too! He didn't cry but he was nervous.
Looks like he wore himself out today with all his learning!
Posted by: Jess | August 25, 2008 at 02:55 PM
I *hated* when my parents made us take the obligatory first day of school pictures, but now I love going back and looking at them. So precious! Hard to believe he's a school ager now. What's next, being old enough to illegally download blue's clues? These kids grow up so fast!
Posted by: Kate | August 25, 2008 at 02:57 PM
My baby girl starts mother's morning out next week, and I'm already a little weepy over it (sensitive mama + pregnancy hormones = hot mess), so this got me going even more.
Posted by: amberlulu | August 25, 2008 at 02:57 PM
Oh God. We have kindergarten orientation tomorrow, followed by the start of ALL DAY Kindergarten on Wednesday. There is a big yellow bus ride to contend with morning and afternoon, and things like "school lunches" and "full-size backpacks to hold regular size folders" and Holy Shit I Am Not Ready For All This.
Posted by: MeL - Stay At Aum Mom | August 25, 2008 at 02:57 PM
You made me cry, too (damn pregnancy hormones). My little guy is 2 and goes to daycare everyday and everyday my heart still breaks just a little.
Posted by: Anna | August 25, 2008 at 02:57 PM
He looks like such a little man in that second picture! Such a looker. :)
Posted by: Spring | August 25, 2008 at 02:58 PM
Awwww! This is so sweet.
KayTar's first day is tomorrow, and today she is sick. Of course.
Posted by: Kyla | August 25, 2008 at 02:58 PM
P.S. I love that we all sound like a bunch of crazy doting aunts in these comments. Look what you do to us!
Posted by: Spring | August 25, 2008 at 02:59 PM
the tears, they are flowing. that last picture of him sleeping is so dear. i love that they still look like babies when they're sleeping.
Posted by: alexis | August 25, 2008 at 03:03 PM
Go Noah! Congrats on making it through his 1st day. I can't believe I'm sending #3 off to preschool. Where did the time go?
Posted by: Jen | August 25, 2008 at 03:09 PM
This is great! I LOVE that he has a Pinky Dinky Doo doll. We LOVE the Pinkster. She's totally cool and fun.
How typical though, huh? We moms cry and worry about school and the kids take it in stride ("Let's get in the green car and go to schooo now."), come home, and act like nothing's new.
Buggers keep growing up in spite of us!
Glad he did so well,
Kia
Posted by: Kia (good enough mama) | August 25, 2008 at 03:09 PM
Shit, I'm all teary now and Tess is asking me why I'm crying!
Things will never be the same for you Amy. But you made it through the first day, and that's a huge step. Later in the year, you'll see something or Noah will tell you something and you'll want to scoop him up and take him away from school. And then you realize you can't because you have to let him grow up.
I can't wait to hear about how he's doing in school and if everything you were worried about is okay now.
http://notesfromthesleepdeprived.blogspot.com
Posted by: Wendy | August 25, 2008 at 03:11 PM
So sweet! Mine started his pre-k at our public school today too! He didn't cry but he was nervous.
Looks like he wore himself out today with all his learning!
Posted by: Jess | August 25, 2008 at 03:12 PM
Wonderful post and cute pictures. He's an adorable little man!
Posted by: Maura | August 25, 2008 at 03:13 PM
Gotta love a little man who loves his Pinky Dinky Doo!
Great 1st day of school post.
Posted by: Melizzard | August 25, 2008 at 03:14 PM
Today I sent my baby boy off to seventh grade.
It doesn't get much easier as the years go on, sorry to say.
Posted by: Missie | August 25, 2008 at 03:16 PM
My daughter starts preschool in a few weeks and even though I know she is going to LOVE it and I am so happy and comfortable with the place, I am so emotional about it. I just realized I'm going to drop her off on my way to work and I'll probably show up there all puffy-eyed. I guess I should bring tissues that day. And definitely the camera!
Posted by: yet another from the legions of Amys | August 25, 2008 at 03:17 PM
So sweet! Mine started his pre-k at our public school today too! He didn't cry but he was nervous.
Looks like he wore himself out today with all his learning!
Posted by: Jess | August 25, 2008 at 03:18 PM
OMG, my husband and I BOTH cried the first day we dropped our son off at preschool! In the parking lot! Like idiots!
Yeah, it's a rough day for mommies. Glad you lived through it!
Posted by: HeatherPride | August 25, 2008 at 03:19 PM
I am thinking of the day I will do this, in two or three years, with my own little Peanut, and it brings tears to my eyes. Thank you for reminding me that these mornings of Just Us are pretty damn special, and won't last forever.
Posted by: Elizabeth | August 25, 2008 at 03:20 PM
Aw crispy crap. That made me snort and sob so much. I'm sending BOTH my twins off to preschool next week, and I'm hoping to be half as together and poignant as you were.
Posted by: Sherry | August 25, 2008 at 03:21 PM
I remember that all too well. My youngest didn't go to preschool at all though and it made Kindergarten even harder for me. I was a sobbing blubbering mess for about the first week. Seriously, people at the school thought some tragedy had occurred.
Posted by: Starbuck | August 25, 2008 at 03:22 PM
He looks so like Jason in some of those pictures.
This will be us in two weeks, but we went for the meet-and-greet today and he was totally into it.
Enjoy these infant-free preschool days now because when you are trying to get three people out the door and to school by 9 a.m., you might lose your damn mind.
Posted by: SnarkyMommy | August 25, 2008 at 03:22 PM
um, i feel old and sad! i remember when Noah was born. Now pre-school, wow. the picture of him sleeping- simply adorable.
Posted by: andrea | August 25, 2008 at 03:24 PM
So very sweet.
May I ask where you found sheets with paw prints?
Posted by: Maria | August 25, 2008 at 03:25 PM
Maybe it's just the pregnancy hormones, but I cried a little at the picture of him sleeping.
Who the heck gives them permission to get so big!?
Posted by: iMommy | August 25, 2008 at 03:25 PM
*snif*
Lovely. I remember BAWLING when I walked home from dropping my first little one off at kindergarden. Not my finest hour but you feel what you feel.
Posted by: dorrie | August 25, 2008 at 03:28 PM
WAHHH!!! I DON'T WANT NOAH TO GROW UP!!!! That means B is growing up too, and I'm SO not ready to let her go. I know there's still 2 years until Kindergarten, but I'm already weepy just thinking about it!
Still... he simply is PRECIOUS. Such a big boy, and still a sweet little baby lamb in the last pic. LE SIGH!
Posted by: Katie Kat | August 25, 2008 at 03:29 PM
we have that too this week and next. 5 year old with kindergarten and almost 3 year old with preschool. at kindergarten parents orientation last week the teachers closed with a reading of jack and the beanstalk metaphorically being jack going off to kindergarten.
tears? in almost every damn mother's eyes. ESPECIALLY when the line was read about how this, "wasnt the first thing jack would have to do by himself"
WAAAAAAAAAAH.
im guessing if we lost our shirt at school, it was a successful day?
Posted by: obabe | August 25, 2008 at 03:29 PM
God, I hear ya man!
Posted by: mtngray | August 25, 2008 at 03:41 PM
Dang, he's cute. Congrats on surviving his first day! We all understand the turmoil that happens within a mommy when they make that first big kid step away...
Posted by: tracey | August 25, 2008 at 03:42 PM
Aw, congratulations, Noah!
And beautiful writing, Amalah :)
Posted by: Liana | August 25, 2008 at 03:48 PM
Ummm...bawling here!
Posted by: JZMom | August 25, 2008 at 03:50 PM
What a touching letter, with photos to boot. Glad to hear things went well. Hope you're doing OK. Have a great school year.
Posted by: NH Mom of 3 | August 25, 2008 at 03:52 PM
Awww, what a sweetie.
Noah's pretty cute too.
Posted by: Jane | August 25, 2008 at 03:52 PM
That is exactly what I do when I come home from school!
Posted by: Annie | August 25, 2008 at 03:53 PM
beautifully written, you made me cry.
Posted by: stacy | August 25, 2008 at 04:09 PM
I have a four month old in daycare, and all the 'first day of school' blog entries I've read today and making me sniffly!
Posted by: Lucy | August 25, 2008 at 04:09 PM
... and bad at proofreading, apparently.
ARE making me sniffly. ARE.
Posted by: Lucy | August 25, 2008 at 04:11 PM
what a sweet post.
Posted by: Aimee Greeblemonkey | August 25, 2008 at 04:11 PM
I need an insulin shot after this post and all these pictures. So adorable, congrats on your big boy starting school! Gorgeous and peaceful napping picture, too.
Posted by: anna | August 25, 2008 at 04:15 PM
you made me all teary-eyed, you MF'er (Amy, not Noah, of course - though the sleepy picture DID NOT HELP , NOAH!). thanks.
Posted by: jessica | August 25, 2008 at 04:17 PM
Pinky Dinky Doo! Where did you find that???
p.s. I hope he had a good first day. This was a wonderfully sweet post.
Posted by: Jill (CDJ) | August 25, 2008 at 04:34 PM
Ahh...My youngest goes to Kindergarten tomorrow morning. It never gets easier.
Posted by: Susan | August 25, 2008 at 04:37 PM
Oh, what a sweet letter. He will cherish it one day. Hooray for the big boy and the big step for both of you! You know you're raising him well when he's ready for the next milestone. Such a cute little guy. Congrats.
Posted by: Feather Nester | August 25, 2008 at 04:41 PM
I love that he took Pinky-Dinky Doo and the piano with him. Perfect.
Congratulations on surviving his first day. Did he have fun?
Posted by: Becca | August 25, 2008 at 04:49 PM
Thanks for keeping me grounded as a preschool special ed teacher.
Posted by: cboyd | August 25, 2008 at 04:54 PM
How sweet! My youngest is starting preschool next week. I am even more sad with him than I was with his sister becasue he is my last baby. I got a little teary reading your post and thinking about how next Wednesday will go for me.
Posted by: Collette | August 25, 2008 at 04:55 PM
Oooo...forgot to mention, found you throught BHJ spotlight. Liking what I see so far...especially the white spot on the manhood.
Posted by: Collette | August 25, 2008 at 04:56 PM
I have to admit I got a little teary-eyed from that. I have a Noah too. He's growing up too fast. WAAAAAA
Posted by: Rachel | August 25, 2008 at 05:30 PM
That was us last week--exactly. My voice cracked when I told him goodbye. I was in a daze those 3 hrs he was gone, like I was missing a limb. I am due in April and know this is good for him...for us. But wow.
Posted by: Brandi | August 25, 2008 at 05:33 PM
Going through this in two weeks and hopefully I am getting out all my tears now so I can hold it together on the big day.
Congratulations to both of you on surviving your first day!
Posted by: andrea | August 25, 2008 at 05:34 PM
So sweet!
Posted by: MMM | August 25, 2008 at 05:35 PM
I'm already wondering what I'll be like when I send my daughter off for her first day of school (she's only 9 months old!!) I can bet I'll cry my eyes out. How do they grow up so fast.
Posted by: Lisa | August 25, 2008 at 05:38 PM
*sobs*
what is he thinking, with those long big-boy legs?
it's just not right, i tell you.
Posted by: supertiff | August 25, 2008 at 06:07 PM
Is this where I should be thankful that our town doesn't even offer preschool unless your child is behind? I was kind of mad at first, but now I'm thinking I'll just settle with plain ol' "thankful". Another excuse to keep the kid all to myself :)
Posted by: Ashley | August 25, 2008 at 06:15 PM
Thanks for the tears. Your a great mom!
Posted by: lee-lee | August 25, 2008 at 06:28 PM
"Children who watch a lot of television during their early years are at
risk for childhood obesity, poor social development, and aggressive
behavior. They often have trouble adjusting to preschool or
kindergarten." AAP
Sorry to do this, but I've always worried/wondered about Noah's TV consumption...hopefully there is less with #2.
Posted by: christina | August 25, 2008 at 06:53 PM
I vividly remember the first day my baby went to preschool with his big boy lunchbox in a tight grasp. My heart lurched when I saw this picture of Noah.
My baby is now 8 and he heads to 3rd grade next week.
I still can't believe how fast the time has passed. Thank you for this sweet posting which perfectly sums up how it feels to watch your baby boy grow up.
Posted by: Stacy | August 25, 2008 at 06:59 PM
Aw. So so cute. I remember when I sent my oldest off to school for the first time. She was all, see ya! and I was a blubbering mess for a couple of weeks.
Now? The big 2 start tomorrow and I have been counting down the hours. The 4 year old will be going part time and I'm good with that. The baby? He's still mine for another couple of years. I'm sure I'll be a blubbering mess again for that one.
Posted by: FishyGirl | August 25, 2008 at 07:07 PM
How sweet. Now I'm all teary. I send mine off to preschool for the first time in 2 weeks - I'm not sure I'll handle it much better.
Posted by: Danielle | August 25, 2008 at 07:23 PM
So, I was about to cry? And then, I read your signature? And laughed my head off.
And, um...I have cried every year after dropping Seth off for the first day of school. And when the bus would drive up from the last day of summer camp. But not this year! This year, I was strong. It only took me until fourth grade.
But have no fear! More tears to come. For middle school is two years away, and I will cry. A lot. Then, when Seth starts HIGH SCHOOL, Jackson will start kindergarten. Then, I will need a Xanax. Or five.
Posted by: HMFT | August 25, 2008 at 07:59 PM
As sweet as all this is, my absolute favorite part is that you forgot your camera.
I love that you're the mom who forgets your camera and puts on shoes that are just a little snug.
It's perfect.
Posted by: Miss Britt | August 25, 2008 at 08:00 PM
Awwwwww. Now I'm all teary.
Posted by: ksmaybe | August 25, 2008 at 08:49 PM
awwww so sweet. Hope you and Noah both had a good first day.
I cried every year on the first day of school until my boys were seniors in high school.
Posted by: Peggy | August 25, 2008 at 09:52 PM
I cried. Also, I wanted to say that You Done Good. Remember taking him to those classes that were so difficult and hard and awful? You prepared him right for his first day of preschool. Look at how brave and good he was--well-equipped. Noah's parents must love him an awful lot.
PS Nice detail about the shoes. Thanks for revealing stuff like that. It makes us all not feel like we have to be perfect all the time--and I don't even have kids!
Posted by: willikat | August 25, 2008 at 10:01 PM
Long time lurker, first time commenter - I just got home from bringing my (one and only) baby girl to college - a 6 hour drive - it doesn't get any easier :(
Posted by: Celine | August 25, 2008 at 10:03 PM
I just got my 17-month-old and my yet unborn child added to wait lists for preschool. (Insane, no?) I am already fretting about how they are growing up too fast. I cried when I read this. Noah is precious. Glad it went well for him.
Posted by: Kristen | August 25, 2008 at 10:15 PM
OMG, so cute it hurts!
My kids are off two school next tues. I thought it's be easier with the second. It's not and I hate it. But I know from watching my oldest last year, she'll love it. (Sigh)
Posted by: Emily | August 25, 2008 at 10:30 PM
My sibling has the same sheets as Noah! For some reason, that totally made my day.
Lovely entry. Thank you for giving an elementary teacher a case of the "feel goods."
Yes, I use that expression with the students. They really like it. :)
Posted by: Ash | August 25, 2008 at 10:32 PM
Oh my god I want to gobble up your child. That last picture is so flipping ADORABLE. Does he drool? Oh, I hope he drools.
(P.S. I saw you on the Throwdown last night. I was like, "I know her!" And then I was like, "Well, I mean, I read her blog." Yeah. I'm that loser.)
Posted by: Julie @ Letter9 | August 25, 2008 at 10:36 PM
What a sweet sweet little man! I love his pillow case btw. lol
Happy first day of school Noah!!!
Posted by: Tirzah | August 25, 2008 at 10:57 PM
Absolutely precious. That was a terribly sweet way to memorialize his first day.
Posted by: Anissa@Hope4Peyton | August 26, 2008 at 12:24 AM
Seriously crying over here.
I will cry so much when my kids start school. Oh man.
Posted by: Dawn B | August 26, 2008 at 12:45 AM