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the first day of school. it's always been a day of mixed emotions, sad to see summer go but excited about all the new experiences in store. this first-day feels especially jumbled up for me, it's the last time i'll make breakfast for jake, take the obligatory first-day picture and watch him head out. (i doubt the dorms let moms into the kitchen to make eggs and bacon.....)
it seems like yesterday that he was standing by the sign outside Montessori Children's House for his first day of kindergarten, with his new blue backpack and his great big smile. he looked so happy and confident (which has essentially been his nature throughout life)....and after i snapped his picture, or 30 of them, i went to take his hand to walk him into his classroom.
"I can handle it from here mom" he said- mortified that i was going to come into mrs. sheldon's room with him. so i let him go.
i did sneak into the room to take a picture, he was already settled in at a desk- wearing a painting smock - paintbrush in his hand, happily working away. he heard the camera's click, turned and saw me and shot me a withering look. i slunk out of the room, got in my car, and cried all the way to WHO.
it was hard to let my little boy take that seemingly big step on his own, it hasn't gotten any easier.
"I can handle it from here mom" - i know you can jake, i know you can.
this really is kind of like planning a wedding - had to pick a photographer for the all important senior pics. luckily, another mom (more prepared than me) had compiled a list of links that i just clicked through (no pun intended). Gotta say, senior 'portraits' have come a long way since I leaned against the tree outside West Aurora High with a yellow rose in my hand. Come on, you know you did it too...... Nowadays there are location changes, wardrobe changes, themes, props, it's a full-blown production. So how did we choose? everyone in our photog's portfolio looked like they were having fun. sincerely. she also came highly recommended from a couple of moms i know are kind of particular ,so if she's good enough for them..... Next up, a band or a dj? just kidding. will post a pic after the big shoot on sept. 21. cross your fingers for good weather.
another nail in the coffin - ew, that's so wrong.....but i booked a party site for jake's graduation party today. i know, i know it's months away but all the good spots get snapped up early - it's like finding the perfect place for your reception- lots of competition out there. right now, he's planning to have the party with his cousin (they were born the same day) and another swimming buddy of theirs. sounds like fun to me and takes some of the social pressure off - none of them particularly love being the center of attention (well, some less than others). just about a week away from the first day of school...the countdown is on!
A first and a last today, as Brady registered for his first year at Lincoln and Jake registered for his last. Got his i.d. and his parking pass so he's ready to go - and we're ready to go do some back-to-school shopping which i'm sure will be nothing compared to next year! will we be looking for warm-weather wear...something to survive a long East coast winter....or something in between? stay tuned.....
click.
one little keystroke put jake on the road to college. a pamphlet from his dream school showed up in the mail today and got him motivated to get online to start the application process. he needed plastic to pay - so i ended up being the one to click 'submit' - and it actually choked me up a little. up until now it's been a lot of talk- but this is real. he's going to go to school somewhere........
and leave me.....
it's going to be a year full of firsts, and lasts. follow along and share the senior moments, his...mine....and ours.
