I wake up to uneasy light. A reluctant grey that peers around the edge of my dark curtains whispering the morning rather than greeting it with any kind of enthusiasm. I am nervous. Excited, but nervous. There is the thump thump thump of footsteps along the landing, and suddenly we are two in the bed (and the little one said),
Miss M: ”Come on Mummy. We have to get ready now now now.”
I squeeze her to me and she allows me a quick snuggle before rushing off to wake her sister.
Part of me finds her excitement infectious and I smile as I listen to her effervescent chatter. But another part of me feels a bit sick. Because today I will be delivering not one, but two little girls to school at 8.55am, and not picking them up until 3.30pm.
That’s 6 hours and 35 minutes without children.
I know, I know, it’s not all that long, but when I usually just have 2 hours and 35 minutes to myself, well it seems like a blumming lifetime, and Miss M looks so tiny small in her uniform, and it will be so weird not to go back for her at 11.30am, and what if I forget to pick her up, or she doesn’t eat her dinner, or she cries and I’m not there?
All the time as I’m getting ready I’m wondering and hoping. She’s so excited and happy. She eats her breakfast without prompting because;
“My need lots of energy for big school Mummy.”
She’s desperate to show her friends her new shoes, ecstatic about her new Hannah Montanna lunch box, in awe of the little ice pack I put in to keep her yogurt cool, and haemorrhaging delight over the chocolate cookie that awaits her when she has finished her sarnies. (Though I bet she’ll eat it first.)
But I’m still nervous.
Until we get to school, where Miss M’s smile is echoed on the face of every kid in her class. Can you believe it? A group of around twenty 4 year olds embarking on their first day of full time school, and not one of them is crying. Ok a couple look a little apprehensive, but there are no tears, no hanging on to Mummy or Daddy’s arm, no dragging of heels. I barely have time to kiss her and she is gone.
A few parents wipe their eyes, a couple cheer, and I feel weirdly ok. We head for coffee at the Schmesco store next door, spirits lifted by the fact it wasn’t too bad. And as I sit with my friends and a warm frothy latte, I glance though the pictures I managed to capture and two things jump out at me, two things that get me through the day.
The first is this smile…
And the second is this…
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September 3rd, 2009 at 3:46 pm
Aaaaaaaaaaah. I almost swooned at the first photo and then I scrolled down and saw the second. Too cute. just way too cute. Thatw ill be my two in a couple of years. Oh to have a big sister like that to take care of you. They’re so lucky to have each other. Well done you for holding it all together. What on earth did you do with all that time to yourself?? xxxxx
September 3rd, 2009 at 4:06 pm
That smile just makes me fill up. She was just so completely happy and excited. It was pure cheese. And I’m so glad E is there too. She also has her cousin there in year one so she is very much at home. And I did fun things like shop, tidy, go to the tip, oh and I did manage a latte or two with some friends.
September 3rd, 2009 at 4:13 pm
This post is perfect in everyway! ♥
September 3rd, 2009 at 4:16 pm
Awwwww! Beautiful.
These little people are so much more resiliant than us big kids.
September 3rd, 2009 at 4:44 pm
You cow!
You made me cry!
September 3rd, 2009 at 4:45 pm
*sniff* Am recovered.
September 3rd, 2009 at 4:46 pm
What a pair of cuties. And now I shall stop commenting on your blog and Go. To. Bed.
September 3rd, 2009 at 5:24 pm
Oh Jo – that is wonderful. I understand -both my boys went to ‘big school’ this week and Johnny Drama has just leapt straight in with his massive feet and seems to be having a blast. And I have been massively unproductive every single day, despite all the free hours I suddenly have.
That smile is amazing (I have seen a replica of it in my house too). And as for the 2nd photo – just lovely. Captain Underpants has been hugely protective and proud of JD’s first week. What amazing siblings we are raising! Aren’t they just so very lucky to have each other? Long may it continue.
And maybe we need to start up a virtual coffee morning to kill some time? What do you think??
xx
September 3rd, 2009 at 6:48 pm
I’m getting all sniffly.
Sigh.
September 3rd, 2009 at 6:50 pm
LOVE THEM!
Frame that last pic!
September 4th, 2009 at 3:00 am
I couldn’t put it better myself.Absolutely lovely Jo.
September 4th, 2009 at 3:02 am
That was so lovely!
September 4th, 2009 at 3:07 am
So it will just be me blarting on the playground then? I hope the sun returns next week, going to look odd in my Stevie Wonders if it doesn’t.
September 4th, 2009 at 5:38 am
Aw that last photo brought a lump to my throat! Have you stopped crying yet? I cried all day when mine started school.
September 4th, 2009 at 11:31 am
Yeah thanks for bringing a tear to my eye, Missis.
Beautiful post, as ever!
You reminded me not of my daughters’ first day, but their first Friday – I burst out crying as it sunk in as I reckoned it was the first Friday they had been away from me.
Sisters are great of course, think I would have loved one…:)
September 4th, 2009 at 12:51 pm
First day of school was always such excitement and bliss for me… they will be great!!!
September 4th, 2009 at 1:26 pm
Corey thanks hon. You’re such a love.
Insomniac Mummy they are aren’t they? Than Bob for that.
Catherine awwwww, I’m so sorry, hee hee. And they are a pair of cuties.
Nicola yay for Johnny Drama and Captain Underpants. Thanks God they have each other. I’m so glad JD has gone for it full on and is loving it. Brilliant.
Kim, I’ll send you a hug. x
Sybil I just might. Isn’t it weird how sometimes pictures where you can’t even see their faces can be the most moving?
Ju I’m so glad she did ok. Brings back memories doesn’t it? I remember when it was your B.
Half Mum Half Biscuit, thank you.
SPD, you won’t be the only one, but I was fine because she was just so happy and excited. One Mum cried and a few others had watery eyes, cough, but we were mainly ok because the kids all were, without exception.
Akela I’ve been a bit lost but I don’t think it’s hit me yet. Miss M brought a tear to my eye tonight though.
Linda it’s brill they have each other isn’t it? It’s odd the stuff we think. And sister’s are fab, but friends can be just as good.
September 4th, 2009 at 4:31 pm
That photo of the girls is gorgeous. Brings a tear to my eye x
September 5th, 2009 at 2:05 am
Perfect post – was smiling until the last image, and then I started to well up! Gorgeous smile, gorgeous girls.
(Hope you don’t mind – I’ve shared it with all our readers as our Blog Love post of the week.)
September 5th, 2009 at 6:18 am
Precious moments! I remember them well! Big big hugs mama! Mwah xxxxx
September 6th, 2009 at 3:33 pm
The second photo is so beautiful. I’m filling up because that will be my two in three years time!
September 8th, 2009 at 10:30 am
LOVE that photo!
September 15th, 2009 at 5:39 am
Lovely post! Hope you’re having fun with all that free time now!
September 15th, 2009 at 6:05 am
I’ve just read this as I wait to pick up my middle child from his second day at school. I’ve still got the little one with me in the afternoons, but only for the next year. My boy was excited too, and had a great day, but it’s hard not to feel a wrench at not seeing them ALL day. Then they get home knackered, watch a bit of TV, eat and go to bed. Takes a lot of getting used to. For me that is, he’s fine.
September 15th, 2009 at 10:12 pm
Wonderful! Fantastic pics too!