 |
| Children who would rather go to school than pose for pictures |
I was doing so well. This morning was the first day of school. Erik was so excited to be back with his friends. Anna was looking forward to being a kindergartner and going to school every day. Even William seemed happy (but then, he usually is). As a mom, the big kindergarten step isn't too tough when its just a new classroom across the hall from Anna's preschool class. We've been through kindergarten before and know that the teacher and curriculum are wonderful. Anna's been looking forward to being in that room for two years now. So, she had no worries about the new school year and Erik was only annoyed we wouldn't let him run into school the moment we pulled into the lot. No need for tears anywhere, right? It's been a good summer, but we're all ready for a little less togetherness. Bring on the school days!
So, I did great at not being at all snuffly at school. Not one tear shed by anyone in my family on school grounds. Yup, I saved that stuff for myself, at home, putting away my big kindergarten girl's laundry while she was away being all independent and stuff. (Meanwhile, from downstairs, "Maaaa!" says the two year old who has just learned how to open the fridge and freezer and help himself to Popsicles.) So, on with the business of being at home while the big kids are at school. Clean that kitchen -- only halfway -- then marvel that it's already time to pick them up. Already?
All is well. They had a great first morning. Everyone is happy. Everyone can't wait for tomorrow. Homework was even done in the car on the way home! Success! Success! Success!
We're home. We eat a little lunch. I put a small, squirrley toddler to bed and prepare to do some read-aloud time with the older kids. Just in time for summer to end, we finished On the Banks of Plum Creek last Friday. To my delight, they have been fully enjoying Laura Ingalls Wilder's books and wanted to get started with the next one, especially since By the Shores of Silver Lake features traveling by train. Certain 7-year old boys still (and always will) love trains. So, happy day, they want to keep reading historical fiction. Sit right here and lets get to it. Enjoying, enjoying ... and then Chapter Two: "Grown Up." I was just a few lines in when I knew this was not going to end well for me. You know, we preview TV shows, movies, and computer things for content. It's just smart parenting to be sure you know what your kids are going to encounter. It's been a few decades since I read this book, but it was harmless. I was not expecting Mrs. Wilder to throw me an emotional fast ball ON THE FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL. *** Spoilers *** You know what happens in "Grown Up"? Laura's dog dies. Her beloved dog Jack goes off to the Happy Hunting Grounds just as her family is about to pack up and move yet again. Crud. By the second paragraph I was sniffing, by the third paragraph I was tearing up. Pretty soon my dear children were patting me and saying, "It's okay, Mom." Sigh, well, assuming I haven't scarred them permanently for seeing their mom sob openly over the death of a fictional dog, maybe they will have that much more respect for the power of a well written story. See, it was merely a back-to-school, language arts lesson.
Now, if you'll excuse me, I'm going to go pet my old dog and tell her she can never go to kindergarten.
