If my mom had her pictures of me available, I’d post a picture of me in kindergarten. I had a mushroom bowl cut hair do (which I later repeated in grade 7 and 8, because I am nothing if not ‘cool’) and I wore a Rainbow Bright dress. My smile suggested that I was happy, and really, I think I was.
I was NOT happy however on my first day of school.
I had visited my small town school prior to our first day on various occassions. It was near the local fairgrounds and my older sister went their. It wasn’t very big (at any given time I think it held 200 students).
As I waited with my older sister, my mom and younger sister at the end of our laneway for the bus (my mom ALWAYS took the first week of school off of work, each and every year) my childish anticipation was shining.
Then it took a turn.
While waiting for the bus I was stung on the ear by a wasp. A WASP! It hurt. Ever been stun by a wasp? It hurts. It hurts more when you are 5.
I eventually stopped crying and my mom confirmed everything looked okay, well enough to continue on to school.
I hopped on the yellow bus when it came and continued on.
The rest of the day I don’t remember much of – I knew some other kids in the class from the community and church so I do remember playing and having fun.
Until Recess.
I hopped on the merry-go-round only to loose my grip and be flung off, scraping my knee.
I cried.
You would think I would be anxious about leaving home, starting school, new teachers – but I don’t remember any of that.
I remember being stung by the wasp and wiping out on the ground.
It’s a wonder I ever returned.
But I did. I survived. I even can say I enjoyed most of my schooling experience.
So now I get ready to send my son off to school. And wonder how many wasp stings and scraped knees he’ll encounter. And I worry. But deep down I know he’ll do okay. I wonder if I should buy him knee pads?
Do you remember your first day of school? What was it like?
I can’t say I really remember my first day – I remember bits and pieces of my kindergarten days but that one specifically seems a blur.
I do remember my first day of university… somehow I would imagine that the first day of uni and the first day of kindergarten are strangely similar.
Since my first day was soooo many years ago, long before Rainbow Brite ;). I don’t remember the actual first day, but I remember the integration day. They used to send you to school for one day before the end of the school year, prior to you starting so you could see how things went. I remember the purple outfit I wore, all 100% polyester of it and I remember my Mom curling my hair for me. I remember singing songs I didn’t know while sitting in a circle with kids I didn’t know. I also remember using the itty bitty mini toilets that were located in the classroom and found that very strange. I remember that I didn’t like it very much and was so happy to be home and have the summer to enjoy before having to go back. And then I remember each and every summer since 🙂
I remember my 3yrs older sister begrudgingly bringing me from the bus (where she wouldn’t sit near me) to the kindergarten area. I think she kind of pulled and pushed me there. I remember the girl who cried. She stood silently with tears dribbling down her cheeks and clutched her (nice & caring) older sister’s hand. My sister stood me by the door and said,”See ya.” This girl’s sister stayed until the bell rang and the teacher came out to bring us in. I really liked that girl’s sister…
Anna, I like that you remember the summer’s especially!
Kelly, do we have the same sister? lol
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