It feels like yesterday when I posted this post. Yup, I totally started this blog to talk about A-B-Bo, AKA Pookette (as she was called in my tummy). Now I look down at the extreemly tall and lankly 5 year old snoozing on the couch next to me and I can’t help but wonder “what happened?”
Wednesday Annabelle started Kindergarten. I wish I could have her home with me another 5 years, but the kiddos grow up and you have to let them go and let them fly. When letting them go, it’s best to send them off with a Hello Kitty backpack and some money on their lunch card!
Annabelle drove me stark raving mad the first two years of her life. She hated nursing, she hated sleeping, she didn’t ever sit still, and she ate like an anorexic bird.
But now, I have the most kind, loving, and amazing 5 year old little girl. She has truly been the greatest gift of my life and I thank Troy every day for joining me in this journey with her.
Annie was excited and ecstatic to go to Kindergarten. She’s the most social and non shy only child you will ever meet. She loves people, LOVES PEOPLE. She’s been known to start conversations with all sorts of people that don’t really want to talk to her (80 year old men at the airport, on-duty police officers, soccer moms sitting in their car on their cell phone, I could go on and on).
She loves her family. She thinks highly of both Troy and I and although she attempts to “negotiate” at times, she generally follows directions, and minds her manners. She doesn’t have an ornery bone in her body, she’s a class act do-gooder.
Since we live right next to the school we will walk to and from school every day. The first day of school we are walking over and she says “Maybe I can walk by myself to school.” Did I cry when she said it…no. Did I want to…yes.
How is she so independent already? I know she didn’t mean to hurt my feelings, she just thought she was ready to have a go at it alone. She’s a strong one, my child. She knows she can make her way in this world. She’s confident.
When I dropped her off on her first day it was hard not to get teary in front of her. Here she was standing in line, ready and willing to go to school even though she had no idea what that actually entailed. She’s 3 inches taller than everyone in her class, so she stands there towering over all the other kids, with this huge smile, and these huge excited eyebrows.
And just like that, her teacher said “You can leave parents” and he lead them all into the school. We just had to stand there and watch them disapear. All grown up, ready to conquer the world. Little future moms, and athletes, and doctors and lawyers. The class of 2024.
She blew me a kiss. Awful nice of her I think.
I turned around, walked home by myself, with tears streaming down my cheeks.
It’s been a rough week.
I love the pictures capturing her excitement. The attention to the teacher and blowing kisses one are priceless!!….if my husband and I ever have kiddos I can rest assured mine will tower 3 inches over most other children too, gotta love tall men
Wishing you all the best while you transition into this chapter of life.
Amazing! Love this post. Can’t wait to meet Annie sometime!
Gah, that made me tear up! Great post. Great kid. Great parents.
I’m sure she’ll do wonderful!
This is such a sweet post. I’m having my first baby (a girl!) in about a week (hopefully sooner!) and I know the first day of school will be here before I know it!
They do grow up fast!! I loved the pictures! I miss her, but she is soooooo ready for her next school adventure. Thanks for the special post. Tell Annie “HI!” from me.
I remember the first day if kindergarten for both of my kids. Such wonderful memories! I wish I could say that letting them grow up and have new adventures gets easier but it really doesn’t. I had tears streaming down my cheeks after I dropped my son at middle school just last week. Great job, Sonja and Troy. You’re raising a beautiful, well -adjusted, and spunky girl!
I so feel your pain, sister. Tyler started last Thursday with a half day and I cried all.stinking.day. I was pretty much the only mom crying at drop-off. I cried when I got home. I cried all through my bike ride. Sigh. It got better this week, but it’s been so hard knowing that my baby is at school ALL DAY and I have no idea what’s going on there (beyond what little I can manage to get him to tell me about it). Why do they have to grow up?
I still remember that story you told me about her batting her eyes at some teenagers ans saying “Boys think I’m pretty.”
You are gunna have quite a handful once she gets older.
YEAH ANNIE!!!!! I bet she falls in love with school more than boys
Congrats to you and Troy on making it past the baby years-all the fun is ahead. But don’t wish it gone too soon for before you know it you will be moving her into a college dorm room! Anyone who thinks the first day of kindergarten is frightening….
I hear you! Susannah started on Wednesday and I wasn’t too teary, but the consensus seems to be your last child starting is more emotional than your first–so you got double-duty! And on our second day of biking the two blocks to school S mused, “Maybe after another day or so you could just cross that big street with me and then I could go the rest of the way myself.” Last time I saw Annie in person she was determined to walk but still holding your fingers for balance. Love seeing her beautiful smile and so grown up!
Oh, Sonja, I SO know how you are feeling right now! (I even wrote a post with this EXACT title the other day…how funny!) Noah is off to the big K next Wednesday, and I look at him and just think how is my baby going to school? It looks like Annie is totally ready, and don’t worry a lick about her letters or numbers or anything…this is what kindergarten is for!