1st day of 1st Grade

Today is Sarah's fist day of first grade! My baby girl is so grown up!

And not only that, but she rode the BUS to school!

Normally, she wouldn't ride the bus because school is just 3 blocks away, but they've moved her school to the old Berry campus this year because they are doing rennovations to her regular school. And since we live more than 2 miles from Berry, we can get bus service - "I want to ride the bus!"

The bus stop is about a block and a half from our house so Pete took her to meet the bus for the first time. Cloosty and I were ready early, so we hopped in the car and took off. Our route takes us past Sarah's bus stop and what did I see but Sarah loaded down with her backpack full of school supplies, standing alone amid a gaggle of older kids. I slowed down to wave at her and she looked close to tears and refused to wave back. I immediately called Pete:

"Why aren't you waiting for the bus with her? You should have stayed! It's her first time on the bus - I know I'd be a little worried and scared!"

Yeah, I was a bit snappy about it. I know I worry a little too much about my kids, but holy moley, she looked like a frightened rabbit. Sheesh, she's only six!

Luckily, Pete had thought the same thing and was going around the block to go back to her. He waited with her (the bus was late) and told me that she was mostly worried that the bus wouldn't come but she was fine.

Whew!

I hope she has a great day - and I hope her teacher likes the baby gift we got her. A tan bear bear (Eliot's all time favorite) and a lion (just in case the baby is a Leo like me). :)

Pickles R Us

Sarah is a very giving kid. She met her new teacher Monday, who happens to be very pregnant, and decided that she wanted to get Mrs. Stacy a baby gift.

"Mommy! We have to give her something!"

So she started digging through all the old baby toys we have stashed (and that we really need to get rid of) and had a display ready for me when I got home. I vetoed all of them - they weren't all that appropriate - and told her we'd go buy something.

It ain't easy buying a baby gift for 1) someone you don't know at all. I haven't met the teacher yet - Pete went with Sarah that day; 2) you don't know what they've gotten already; and 3) when you don't know the sex of the baby.

At first I thought we would go to Wally Mart, but I really didn't want deal with the craziness that is Wally Mart. So after work Tuesday, I took her to Babies R Us to pick out a stuffed animal.

We parked close to one of the expectant mother spaces and Sarah saw this:



Sarah: Mommy, why do they have a PICKLE sign?
Me: A pickle sign?
Sarah: See? There?








You have to admit, it does look like the Vlasic Pickle stork.