Even though we just got back from vacation Sunday evening, I set my alarm for early Monday morning. I got up. I took a shower. I washed, dried, and curled my hair. I put on my best blouse, my new Lucky jeans, and my favorite green flats. I was so excited to meet Mrs. Matyi. I ate my breakfast in a hurry, gathered my paper work, and waited for Chris by the car; and then I remembered something. The most important something. THE KINDERGARTNER. Oh . . . yes . . .uh, Matthew, it's YOUR first day of school isn't it, uh, ha-ha {embarrassed laugh}.
I coaxed his limp body out of bed. I got him some shorts and a clean shirt. (He did have new shoes.) I wet his hair down and combed it--guess that cut will have to wait for the weekend. And gave him a nice nutritious breakfast of Fruit Loops, minus toast or juice. (In my defense, we just got back into town the night before and there were neither bread nor eggs to be had. Luckily Rick and Misty left us some milk--thanks guys!--so cereal it was. Our lovely plan of getting up early and taking the family to breakfast was a long shot on a normal day but factor in our living the past three weeks in the mountain time zone and we were lucky we woke up at all.)
Since Matthew missed orientation due to our trip (which will have it's day in future posts--now that I'm back to blogging and all) Daddy and I took him to school early to meet his teacher, put his various crayons, markers, and glue sticks in their appropriate places, and get comfortable in his new room. That took about 10 seconds. And then he was a kindergartner. Standing in line with other kindergartners. Holding the hand of some other woman who was not me. Walking with a pile of 5-year-olds all looking to big for their britches. Back into the room and he was gone. I was left holding Chris' hand, maybe a bit to tight for his comfort but being the sweet hubby he is, he didn't say anything.
We went home, Chris left for work, and I spent the next couple hours wandering aimlessly from one silly item to the next, unable to focus on anything important, passing full suitcases needing emptying umpteen times. I was too anxious for the bus ride, nervous I would get distracted and forget the time. Scared I wouldn't be at the back doors of the school when he came out. But I didn't forget the time. I wasn't late. Jodi dropped me off right on time, I met my beautiful boy, and together we rode home on the bus. Not that I'm a paranoid parent or anything, I just like to have a frame of reference, you know, so I know what he's talking about.
And even if I wanted him to be just a little bit, Matthew wasn't nervous. He didn't miss me. He had a fantastic day. He loves recess. He's making new friends. And is his usual social, happy, brilliant self. As for me and my getting up early, fixing my hair, and getting dressed before the bus, I'm sure his teacher and bus driver will find out any morning now that it's all a facade. I'm sure this charade of being a put-together, stylish, organized mother will collapse any moment into the reality that is mothering monkeys. But maybe I'll try it one more time, maybe I can keep it up a little longer in hopes of really becoming organized (the stylish will have to wait). After all, tomorrow is another day.
Ha ha, so much for being organized--never got to combing Will's hair!
