They survived. I went into work late today, per their request, so that I could walk them to the bus stop and wave them off. I'll take it for as long as they will let me. Apparently, it's not uber cool to have your mom drop you off at school the first day, much less, walk to you class. Sniff.
This is the stuff that is guiding me towards the path of a complete and total mental breakdown. Not just the aforementioned changes, but the whole growing up and not needing me thing. Don't get me wrong, I know they still need me, but it's all on their terms now. I'm delighted that I am raising girls that are learning to become independent and are able to move out into the world, but does it have to happen all at once?
Chickie, first day of 8th grade
Oiy! Ouch! Where did my baby go? One minute I was putting your hair in whatever style you wanted, and the next? You spend an inordinate amount of time styling it yourself. It took me years to get you to brush your own hair and now? I think you pull your brush out on an average of about every half an hour.
I remember your first day of school like it was yesterday. You were so excited! I took you to school and you went into the classroom like nobody's business. You didn't even glance back at me. You just stuck that little hand up in the air and waved, shouting "by mom!" The teacher came up to me and said "I don't think we are going to have any problems with this one, do you?"
It's been the same for you every single year. You tackled leaving the only school you had ever known, and bravely entered a new school that was not only far from home, but also public. Before then, your class size only ran about 15. It didn't take you long to make friends, and even less to have teachers that loved you. I was so proud. Truth be told, I was more worried about the change than you.
This year you have graduated to carrying a purse, complete with a wallet, brush, hand sanitizer and scented lotion. You have your "organizer" with you which is supposed to be used to track assignments, but for now, it is filled with all of your friend's phone numbers and MySpace addresses.
You have a pretty tough load this year, what, with your AP classes and heavy dance class schedule. I backed off a bit this year, because you are determined that you can do it all, and succeed. And I am determined to let you try.
Chickie, you rock my socks. I hope I can be like you when I grow up. I hope you know just how much I love you.
Meelie No, first day of 4th grade
Oh Lord people, this is my baby. Well, my OTHER baby. The youngest one. She's now taken the place of the older child who doesn't want to brush her hair, but wants to let it grow down to her buttox. Unlike her older sister, if the clothes fit, who cares if they match. This attitude has forced me to make sure the girls have their clothes picked out the night before. Because people, my darling husband is color deaf. Or unaware. Look, according to him (and he will admit this so I'm not bad-mouthing him), if the top fits, and the bottom fits, who cares if they match? I've been working with him so that he can realize that the whole matching thing is just as important as the whole fitting thing. You probably don't want to ask.
Oh my little baby. My youngest. I remember your first day of school. You were/are different from your sister. When I took you to your first day of Kindergarten, you were terrified, among other emotions. Luckily, the teacher let me stay with you for a bit. When I finally decided to leave, you acted as if I broke your heart. I had to go. I know you understand that now because we have talked about it so many times.
Bless your heart. It took you about three weeks to stop crying when I would drop you off to school. Then we went and changed the whole damn thing on you and moved across country, and you had to do it all over again. You didn't cope as well as your sister with the change. Oh my word. I had suspected as much, so I took the day off work. I went to school with you and you did nothing but sit on my lap for three hours. The other kids tried to get you to play with them, but you would have nothing to do with them. At lunch time I informed the teacher that if I did not leave, you would NEVER take part in any of the acivities.
I think she understood but was uncomfortable with it. It broke my heart to leave you, but it was for the best. As it turns out, I was right. You and your teacher waved to me from the door, and apparently, you settled in right away. I on the other had, broke down in the car and cursed myself for ever moving across country.
Little one, you are the most stubborn, hard headed child I have ever met. I love you to death, but child? I predict we are going to butt heads on a daily basis. We are so much alike. Unlike your sister, you hate to have your hair brushed in any way, shape or form. I keep threatening you with a buzz cut or mohawk. It's not working, but I keep trying.
You used to be girlie. Bah...the whole frilly girlie thing now makes you barf. No bows. No lace. No dresses. You still love the color pink, but you also love the Georgia Bulldogs, and to top that off, you are obsessed with Tinkerbell. You keep me hopping, and I love you for that.
Ah my precious Meelie No...we may butt heads but I think/hope that the future will turn that around. I love you Gidget, and I hope you realize how much.
Da Gurlz
So you see internet? These are my girls. If you have any suggestions to slow down the growth, please let me know.
Comments
Wow moogie they have grown up fast it would seem..
Im thinking Chickie is much like you but gets a few thing from her father, as for meelie well Im pretty sure she's your double so to speak and oh boy there is nothing worse than trying to deal with a much younger "you". Oh and things have to erm co-ordinate / match, they do! oh right that's where I've been going wrong over the years, mind you maybe I have the ability to match things up and just don't realise it, if it fits and looks good then it works for me.
Oh bless you've got me all teary eyed now you know, give both of them a great big hug from their Uncle G if you could, IF they'll let you of course.
Oh and girls good luck, not that you'll need it you have uber mom moogie there :).
Posted by: Gopher at August 2, 2007 2:09 AM
Wow, these two are really growing up!
I hope they had a good first day.
Posted by: PJ at August 2, 2007 9:45 AM
They're so beautiful!! I had to laugh at your husband and color-coordinating and such. I have one just the same...even today!! Lord help us if he picks out clothes for our kids way back when. Yellow plaid and green stripes and pink polka-dots ---all in one!!
Wonderful post my dear.
Posted by: Hootin' Anni at August 3, 2007 7:41 AM
Have you any idea how lucky you are having - not one but two daughters. I have two loved sons, step children and grand-children but not a bona fide daughter and there is nothing truer than a ;;daughter's a daughter for all of your life - a son is a son till he gets him a wife. Rejoice!
Posted by: Pat at August 3, 2007 2:10 PM
Sorry about the errors and Michele sent me.
Posted by: Pat at August 3, 2007 2:11 PM
Wow, first day of school so early?? Yikes! I remember mine quite well, it was afternoon kindergarten and I was dressed to the nines with purse and patent leather shoes - the works! Hello from Michele.
Posted by: Dara at August 5, 2007 6:18 PM
I have often written about my time-related anxiety. Namely, it moves too fast, and we have no way of slowing it down or altering its path. I feel this massive pressure to remember every little moment in excruciating detail lest it get lost to the ages. I read this entire entry and empathized with every word, because our little ones are becoming less little in a shockingly similar manner.
Yet the fact that we recognize it is comforting in itself. Time moves just as fast for us as it does for parents who don't take the time. The difference is we know how precious all of this is.
(Don't you like how I elevated my station in life by aligning my philosophy with yours? I'm sneaky that way. Hope that's OK with you!)
Posted by: Carmi at August 5, 2007 7:04 PM
Your girls are beautiful! I have a bunch of little girls, too, and they are growing up way too fast for this mama :)
I can't believe I've finally found someone whose kids started school earlier than we do! We started Monday and I thought that was ridiculous!! :)
Posted by: Jennifer at August 10, 2007 7:44 AM
