DS just said he had a good day, not too much HW yet. He reads on the bus (had to sit way in back while DD sat right behind the driver). DD missed me a little, had her stuffed pig with her so brought him out again (all the kids brought them out at show and tell) just b4 I picked her up. But she is eager to ride the bus home tomorrow - just kept saying how tired she was (got up at 6:30), I think tomorrow when she gets home she might take a nap - for the 1st time in 5 years! She was disappointed that she didn't learn to read and write the first day. She said mostly it was just learning where to put their things. She had been worried about making friends, since she didn't go to preschool or library story hour with any kids from our town (too far away). I just kept reminding her that when she was 4 and starting preschool she didn't know anybody either. She said she made a couple of new friends, including one she met when they both had to use the bathroom ("and Mama, we have so much in common!" but she didn't say what - being 5, being nervous, and having to pee LOL?), but she forgot their names. We told her she'd see them again tomorrow, by the end of the week she'd know all their names. Bus driver seems nice, DS had a different one we loved last year, but they changed routes near the end of the school year. This one seems nice, I really never got to know her. She likes DS b/c he's so quiet, hopes it's not a problem that he will be 1st on and last off so long days. That's what we get for living at the far corner of town. I stopped to talk to her outside DD's school this noon, she's already worried about *next* year when DS's schedule will be an hour off from DD's and she'll have to pick him up *last* to get to Jr High, then run back and pick DD up 1st for 1st grade, same thing coming back home, will have to run straight from high school to our house or house to elementary school. So how did all the other new kindergartners do?

I taught kindergarten for 22 years and the first day of school was as unnerving for the teachers as it was for the kids! Well, maybe not as bad but I could never sleep the night before. If anyone has a child who is anxious about leaving Mommy - a great story to read with them is The Kissing Hand. I think the author is Audrey Penn - at least Penn is the last name. After I retired, I would go back to do the Parent Breakfast (timed right after school started so that it would get the parents out of the classroom) and I would always read it to the parents. Tissues would always be passed around as grown men cried! Then we would do the Tooty Ta, an embarrasing song with motions, to lightened things up. Now I am having to sit at home as my 3 year old Grandson goes off to Preschool for the first time on Friday. I would love to tag along to see how it goes but I won't interfer with DIL and DS's moment. He has never had to go to daycare or a sitters other than his Oma (DIL's mom) and Nana's (me).DIL has taken him to playgroups, kindermusic, gymnastics etc so he has been under someone else's directions but mom has always been in sight. Will see how it goes. Just as bad was taking our son off to college. DH didn't talk to me 2/3rds of the way back. Each time I would try to say something, he would raise his hand as if to say "STOP." The first words out of his mouth when he could compose himself were, "It will never be the same!" He was right.

Yes, I had new clothes for the start of school every year. Some were hand-me-downs from the girl next door, who was three years older. I was just thinking the other day that Marilyn's clothes would suit me better today because my hair color is more red-brown now. She had brown hair and eyes. I was 'black and blue'. I remember trying on dresses that my mother had brought home as she decided which ones to keep and which to return to the store. Until she decided, they were all 'property of Marshall Field's'. That certainly sounded odd. I'll always remember my first day at Kindergarten because within the first minute in the door a classmate punched me in the stomach. I was staring at him, and he didn't like it. I'd never seen a Japanese boy before! WWII had recently ended, and I expect he had suffered because of his race. (His mother was mortified!) A dozen years later Mike and I graduated from HS together.

I am diabetic and this year I got a pair of Bio Fit shoes thru the foot doctor. They have definitely helped me. But expensive. Since I am old and on medicare, medicare pays for one pair of diabetic shoes per year. I am going to by myself another pair,. Quick question......I have been getting pictures of all of my grandkids on the first day of school...........are you going to take your pic on the first day of school.....sign and all? LOL! Kathy G in MI