Well, she did it. The earth did not open up and swallow any of us today. We all lived to tell about it – me included. My big girl made it through her first day of school.

J. had some dental appointment stuff, so he was actually home and took her to school with us, which was great. (Look how “big” she looks!)

I got a little choked up when I saw her name on the list telling her which room was hers. But I managed to keep it together. Again, so happy J. was there, I think I would have been a much bigger, weepy mess if he wasn’t cracking jokes and making me smile.

We found her classroom. Her teacher is an older, sweet and very gentle lady who I really like a lot. Em made a beeline for the books as soon as we got her checked in, and barely even noticed when we left.

(SO excited!) I got a little (ok, a lot) teary as we walked out. But I was ok, I knew that she was in the right place.

Addie, on the other hand, was just trying to figure it all out. Everytime we got in the car she would ask, “Emma? Mama! Emma?” And they had quite the lovefest this afternoon, so happy to be reunited. I think A. really missed her big sister.

A. and I snuck back a little early so we could peek in the windows. E. was laughing and having a great time. She looked like she was an old pro and had been doing the “school thing” for years. And of course she did not stop talking the minute we got back into the car.

“Mom! Didyouknowwedidcraftshadsnackswentoutforrecessandthenthebellrangandthen
wehadtolineupandwereadstoriesandhad SO. MUCH. FUN!”

Yeah, I think it was a success.

I will not break into a rendition of the Annie song, “Tomorrow” because I most definitely do not “love ya, tomorrow.”

Tomorrow is the day my sweet, little, first, baby girl goes to school.

*sigh*

Oh, sorry. I mean…

“Yeah! School is going to be so much fun (it will be) and you are going to have a great time (she definitely will) and make so many friends and learn so many cool things (the possibilities are endless).”

We went shopping for her first day of school today. She got to pick out a new outfit. She picked out a new dress. Naturally. And she told everyone in Target that she is going to wear it tomorrow.

“For my first day of school!” – she practically sang it.

I know she is going to be amazing and it is part of her growing up (and away from me). And I can sit here all afternoon, teary-eyed and tell myself that it will give me much needed alone time with Addie. Em needs a new challenge, to stretch her wings out. To grow. It is so necessary. And it is good.

But why does it have to break my heart so?

This was taken one moment after she bravely went underwater to “stand” on the bottom! (It was a quick little toe touch, but she was definitely under.)

I’m so surprised and pleased with how well Em is doing in the lessons. They are super cheap (through the city of San Gabriel) and the instructors are really great. Em is jumping off the side and swimming to the instructors after only 5 lessons. In the deep pool! Very cool. I only wish we could take more sessions, but they kind of interfere with the summer camp, (No, it isn’t school…just camp, remember?) that starts on FRIDAY!

So there has been a renewed interest in the rollerskates this past weekend. Before we begin with this little story, I think E. is an adorable little imp who will most likely turn into a gorgeous ballerina someday. But in the meantime, the girl has clearly inherited my dreadful clumsiness.

Her first “roll” – literally the second she stood up on her skates – she went straight back down on her bottom. She did finally get the hang of it and made little circles around the courtyard and even got brave and let go of Daddy’s hands, eventually. She just needs a bit lot of practice.

Trying it out on her own.

At least she looks good, right?

There are a bunch of other photos in the Flickr account, although I never did get a good “falling” action shot.