I drove away from her school Monday with my heart in my throat, it’s pounding left me breathless as I held back tears. Who knew that mama love would hurt. My heart hurts loving her.
“Life is uncharted territory. It reveals its story one moment at a time.” Leo F. Buscaglia
Okay, so this school outfit thing? It is definitely a do-it-together process with my independent girl. She knows what she likes… and mostly, that’s comfort. Her closet is stocked with a row of dresses front and center that are her favorites, her most comfortable and twirly little pieces. But the collaboration process has been fun. She likes her hair down, I like it up. She likes dresses, I like leggings. She likes tennis, I like flats… and we work together. A bit of give and take from us both. We’re learning. We’re growing, together.
Amazing lunches include some of our reusable favorites, like the WasteNotSak to hold little treats, snacks, napkins and notes, the Orbit band engraved with her name that stays on her water bottle so it doesn’t get mixed up… and sandwiches cut into shapes with a cookie cutter (and little notes you can download here) all put together in this stackable Rubbermaid LunchBlox set. One of my favorite things to do is add a couple of frozen strawberries to her water bottle in the morning… not only does it work like ice in keeping her drink cool, it adds subtle flavor and she always drink down her water for the day so she can unscrew the lid and eat the strawberries that have thawed by the end of the day.
There arose a cheer when she picked this totally adorable owl backpack over cartoon characters.
Quintessential girlhood fingers… chipped polish the day after being painted.
It’s been an adventurous first week, full of smiles and tears. And I know the adventures are just starting. Write that story, my little butterfly. Write that beautiful, colorful story with your best, most favorite Crayola colors.
xo
For more on heading back to school, check out our First Day of School Breakfast and The Teacher Gift!
Adrienne says
I sigh … deeply … as I begin to ‘comment’! Wish I could just hug you instead. These milestones are so wonderful/terrible and do just keep on coming! I love how much heart you put into making things special and memorable for your kids. I hope your sweet girl has a great year! The photos are great and that back pack is adorable!!
Here’s my link:
http://mymemoryart.blogspot.com/2012/08/i-know-why-caged-bird-sings.html
Aleta says
She’s beautiful! I love how you describe her independent nature and that you both compromised. Love the outfit too and the cute way you prepared her lunch, to remind her of your love when she has her meal. And really neat idea about the frozen strawberries in the drink! Great pictures!
Moving Forward says
I absolutely love the backpack she chose! I know she was a little sad at least one of the days but I hope her whole week went great!
alicia says
Aww. Right there with ya mama! Your words are tender and heartfelt and I wrote similar posts those firsts couple years of school. I remember it like it was yesterday. Beautiful post. She’s lucky to have you!
GirlieMama says
The start of Kindergarten is such a huge step in their lives ! Such a year of tremendous growth ! We are about to take that step again for the second of three consecutive years, each being as monumentous as the last !