Well, it finally happened. Ruby is off to public school and we’ll never get her back again. I suppose that sounds a little melodramatic, but it’s true. She was so excited about starting school, and the instant we walked out the door, she abandoned us to hold hands with her friend. It was very cute, of course, but why didn’t she want to hold my hand?! Because we have lost her to the world, that’s why.
When we got to the school, all of the teachers were outside holding up signs with their names on them and the students were gathering by class, ready to parade into the building. Ruby went right on over into the school with her new classmates, but I was not ready to let her go. There had to be some reason for me to go in with her, right? Oh yeah! She had some papers to hand in to the teacher in her backpack, but had we told her that’s where they were? Maybe not. I had better go follow her into her classroom, just in case.
Well, I found her walking into her classroom and quickly retrieved the papers from her new princess backpack. I walked her over to her cubby, and finally had to say goodbye for real, which was very sad. In fact, as I left and stopped by the PTO breakfast meet-up, someone asked me how I was doing, and I said I was sad. They said, “Oh, you must have a kindergartener.” It seems that the majority of parents were quite happy to send their children off to school again.
And when I got home, I realized why. I had totally forgotten how much easier one kid is than two. Edward and I had a delightful morning playing and reading books. As he wandered around the house, I was able to follow him and clean up all the destruction, which is impossible with two destructobots roaming the premises. There was no bickering, no fighting over toys, no whining that so-and-so had touched so-and-so. In short, it was very peaceful and relaxing. I think I could get used to this school thing.
We picked her up when school was over and she was still overflowing with excitement. I asked her what she had done on her first day of school, and she said “I don’t remember,” but hopefully as the year progresses she will indeed remember some things and then I will be able to tell you all about them. Until then, she will be happy at her new school, and I will be missing her at home, but maybe I will be a little happy too.