First!1!!

It was a summer of big firsts this year:

 

First big-girl bed.

 

First deep end plunge.

First summer of big girl pants.

First time without training wheels.

 

First pony ride.

First skipped rock.

First time holding the leash.

 

Summer slid by, and I counted the minor miracles as they happened. Then September showed up with her big guns:

First day of kindergarten.



First day of preschool.

 

It never ceases to amaze me how incredibly moving it is to watch your kid make that next big step. Whether it's when I am tucking a little body into an impossibly giant bed or letting my grip go from the back of a bicycle seat, I am always shocked by the sheer force of my emotions. Fear, pride, joy and sadness all duke it out at once in my chest.

Joy usually wins.

 

Comments

[Zach]

Man it is a jolt. School looms, and at first the big feeling is relief at the return structure. Then you walk through the big doors, claim the cubby, meet the teach -- all very immediate, very scary. But so so awesome.

[claudia]

Lovely, just lovely!!

[Susan]

I'm all teary reading this. Good for you, and for them. Firsts rock.

[Genie]

I too am all verklempt reading this. :) The big girl pants pic is my favorite.

[Aimee Greeblemonkey]

that pool pic is AWESOME. Congrats on it all.

[LetterB]

Thanks, guys. It was a teary one. It's funny, I want them to stop growing almost as badly as I want them to keep growing.

[FreeRange Pamela]

I know I am WAY late, but I've been catching up on my RSS reader, and I read this one AGAIN. Since I didn't comment before, I'll say it now... this is beautiful and I totally know how you feel!