I Didn’t Cry

Kendall’s first day of kindergarten was yesterday. I didn’t cry.

Be sure, there were plenty of emotions in me, and it’s possible I expelled all my tears the night before when he came home with a botched haircut (that I did my best to spruce up the next day with the help of daddy’s hair gel).

But no real tears were shed from me as I watched him walk to school EARLY in the morning. (That’s the sun rising, people. I can’t remember the last time I saw the sun RISING.)

And into the halls of his new, big school.

No tears when I realized late last night I took this picture-

And this one at the same spot, 4.5 years apart. Walking to learn, learning to walk.

I started this blog 6 years ago because of this boy.

No.

Because of the idea of this boy. The one I knew would change us.

The one who continues to challenge us, make us eat our words, and drive us just crazy enough to keep us from signing up for any of the parenting awards we were sure we’d easily win before we actually became parents.

While I fought him and won (for now) on the Skylanders backpack, I caved to the Skylanders t-shirt. Never in a million years did the pre-kid me think she’d let her son show up to the first day of kindergarten wearing a licensed character t-shirt. Good thing we’ve both done some growing, learning, and getting to know each other these last 5 years and almost 4 months. And I’ve learned to pick my battles.

I bought his regular school supplies, then scoured the internet for any kind of notebook, pen or pencil with Skylanders on it. I freaked out and felt inadequate when I couldn’t find the 2 pocket folders with brads ANYWHERE. I helped him cover a pencil box with Skylanders stickers and relished in my momentary “coolest mom ever” status.

I reflected, I laughed, I gave MANY hugs and kisses, and I made him pose for pictures.

But I didn’t cry.

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