• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
  • About
  • Contact
  • Blog
  • San Diego Momma
  • Nav Social Menu

    • Email
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
San Diego Momma

San Diego Momma

Sharing some humor, a bit of writing and way too much information

Home / Etcetera / Hullabaloo

Hullabaloo

Etcetera

Booger and Toots

 

Olivia “Youthton” John and Toots, before school drop-off.

 

Toots started kindergarten today. In the days leading up to this morning, she periodically admitted she was “nervous,” a revelation wholly unlike her, the social girl who tells strangers about the time “daddy had a weiner operation and laid on the couch all day.” Either way, I monitored her daily, asking what made her nervous, trying to address her concerns about making friends and learning to read.

 

Still, she seemed mostly excited, stopping every man and woman on the street to share the exact start day of kindergarten and the color, make and model of her lunch bag. So when The Rock and I dropped her off at class today, my heart splintered as she burst into tears. I’d never seen her do this before in social situations. Usually, she waves me off with an “I need kid time” dismissal.

 

I internally wept with her as she stood on a small red circle in the back of the room, weakly holding her tissue as the teacher led the class in an ironic version of “Oh What a Beautiful Morning.” Right then and there, I fought the urge to collect Toots and stick her in my cozy pocket, the one where tears don’t live. But The Rock waved me off as clearly the teacher didn’t encourage parental lingering, and so I reluctantly refused to look behind me as I left.

 

Now there’s an image in my mind of her solo on that red circle, clutching Kleenex, pale and wan, with tears streaming down her face as the rest of the kids ignore her.

 

It’s hard to shake that picture, even though I know closer to the truth is that right about now, her teacher knows all about The Rock’s weiner operation.

 

Share this:

  • Twitter
  • Facebook

August 20, 2009 · 18 Comments

Sure I’d love to see you again

Previous Post: « PROMPTUESDAY #69: Introspection
Next Post: The Suburbs: Not an Urban Legend »

Reader Interactions

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Comments

  1. MissM says

    August 20, 2009 at 3:46 pm

    Every time LMC opens her mouth and starts with a “my mom said” my heart skips a beat and I cringe with fear. Oh these little girls!!

    Reply
  2. Melanie @ Mel, A Dramatic Mommy says

    August 20, 2009 at 4:11 pm

    I didn’t cry for the first day of Kinder because Tyler cried and I didn’t want him to be even more afraid. But first day of first grade? I bawled.

    Reply
  3. vodkamom says

    August 20, 2009 at 5:20 pm

    I am so excited for her- and for you. She will spread her wings and fly…….

    xoxox

    Reply
  4. Maureen at IslandRoar says

    August 20, 2009 at 5:43 pm

    What gorgeous precious little faces!
    No wonder that image broke your heart. But while you were so sad, she was probably having the time of her life.

    Reply
  5. Blognut says

    August 20, 2009 at 5:44 pm

    She’s beautiful, Deb. And I’ll bet she got over being sad right away.

    Reply
  6. Jenn @ Juggling Life says

    August 20, 2009 at 5:52 pm

    We need an update! I’m sure the tears stopped right away and she had a fantastic time–that’s the way it always goes.

    Your girls’ eyes are so sparkly and full of life.

    Reply
  7. Jennifer says

    August 20, 2009 at 6:02 pm

    So exciting. How’d it go, after the tears?

    Reply
  8. Kizz says

    August 20, 2009 at 6:19 pm

    I hope she came home with plenty of good stories to tell. They’re beautiful!

    Reply
  9. Theresa says

    August 20, 2009 at 6:27 pm

    Oh my goodness, I remember those days :)

    Don’t worry, you and daddy are still her favorite people….even when she starts every sentence with “my teacher said and my teacher did” all starry-eyed.

    Save a few special papers and art in a box and write the date on the back. You will be so glad that you did!!! Now that Grace is a big girl of 7, she loves to look at the stuff from the “old days”.

    Reply
  10. Me says

    August 20, 2009 at 7:44 pm

    I see the best of friends in 20 years. That picture is to die for.

    Reply
  11. Da Goddess says

    August 20, 2009 at 8:38 pm

    Congratulations! You made it, Deb. You got through today and so did Toots. It’s not easy, but you did it!

    Reply
  12. Mama Mary says

    August 20, 2009 at 9:49 pm

    I cried reading this post–such a big day, for both of you. I’m proud of you for keeping it together when she lost it. I don’t know if I could do that. Your girls are absolutely gorgeous btw!

    Reply
  13. Cheri @ Blog This Mom! says

    August 21, 2009 at 6:05 am

    I know she had a great first day. How are YOU?

    Reply
  14. Cactus Petunia says

    August 21, 2009 at 9:16 am

    Even when we know they’re going to be FINE, it’s the fact that we know they’re going to be fine WITHOUT US that gets to us, isn’t it?

    Here’s hoping you’re both FINE!

    Reply
  15. Danielle says

    August 21, 2009 at 10:20 am

    I know the feeling. I cannot stand leaving my little ones crying and reaching out for me as I walk away. But they are always fine as the teachers tell me, or the teachers are liars and they are just trying to make me feel better. I go back and forth on that one sometimes.

    Reply
  16. Deanna says

    August 22, 2009 at 3:56 am

    I hate to tell you this, but it doesn’t get any easier when that little girl packs up her car and heads to her own place in this world, on her own adventure, a far reach from mom’s hugs! (I still get weepy…) But we live and are proud of them anyway, right?

    Reply
  17. kate says

    August 22, 2009 at 9:47 pm

    i’m sorry to say that i still have the picture of the now almost Second Grader standing in line on the playground pushing is teeny tiny fists into his teeny tiny eyes trying to keep the tears from falling. my heart still breaks a little bit when i think of it. but when i talk about it? he’s like i have no idea what you’re talking about, mom, you’re kind of a loon.

    Reply
  18. Green Girl in Wisconsin says

    August 23, 2009 at 6:10 pm

    Ah, she’s going to have a ball. And she’ll probably continue to share inappropriate family news with others, too. Mine do that ALL the time.

    Reply

Primary Sidebar

I love words. Every one, every time. (Except “moist.” That word can go.) …read more

  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter

Sure. I’d love to see you again.

Categories

Archives

Blogroll

  • Blog This Mom
  • Da Goddess
  • Dirt and Noise
  • Discover San Diego
  • Foolery
  • Juggling Life
  • Mama Mary Show
  • Mel, A Dramatic Mommy
  • Mom Zombie
  • Mommy’s Martini
  • Motherhood is Not for Wimps
San Diego Momma

Footer

Archives

  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter

Categories

sandiegomomma

sandiegomomma
Back in Lake Geneva after 36 years… Circumstance Back in Lake Geneva after 36 years…
Circumstances have changed since post-Prom-picnic-circa-1986-vibes…
#WhereIsBryanAdamsNow
Dorm drop! 🏫👩‍🏫🥲💕 Dorm drop!
🏫👩‍🏫🥲💕
💫Travel poster for Saturday wine tasting.💫 💫Travel poster for Saturday wine tasting.💫
Celebrating the new 16-year-old with a quick Santa Celebrating the new 16-year-old with a quick Santa Monica trip.
And now she knows she doesn’t want to live in LA….
#LifeLessons
It’s happening….. It’s happening…..
Barely tolerating me….. Barely tolerating me…..
Beach day with my “little” one while big sis e Beach day with my “little” one while big sis explores Cal Poly…
Life transitions. Beautiful but I haz the olds.
#NotAboutMe #Whhhhyyyyy
A rare Bubbie sighting. Spotted in the wild. #HeDo A rare Bubbie sighting. Spotted in the wild. #HeDoesntLikePictures
Sunset squad. Brought a picnic and drinks to Del M Sunset squad.
Brought a picnic and drinks to Del Mar and watched the waves and horizon. Not too crowded or cold - another good hang with the neighborhood gang! ❤️❤️
Imprinting 2021 holidays on my brain (and in my In Imprinting 2021 holidays on my brain (and in my Instagram) (and in my antibodies). It’s a COVID New Year’s Eve…
Husband and I down for the count(down).
BUT. We’re doing decent and it’s cozy up in here…
Winery times! Winery times!
Guys on couch watching football; girls in kitchen Guys on couch watching football; girls in kitchen talking about everything.
Smells like a Sunday neighbor night. ;)
Line dancing lessons… My two left feet did nothi Line dancing lessons…
My two left feet did nothing right - but they did it with gusto.
Looking for a new book to read! #BookClub Despite Looking for a new book to read! #BookClub Despite the seeming divine intervention from above, we weren’t struck with the “perfect” next book to put on our list…..
Post-white-water-rafting super exhaustion. (Oh my Post-white-water-rafting super exhaustion.
(Oh my gosh you guys…! No! I’m not a sports model! But I totally understand how you might think so.) 😜😜😜
I wanted my hair to do that. #NordicSisters I wanted my hair to do that.
#NordicSisters
Dad’s hats on the people who loved/knew/laughed/ Dad’s hats on the people who loved/knew/laughed/sang with him.
Miss you Dad. Hope we do your hats justice. Lord knows we’ll have fun in them, just like you did. 😇
Paso Robles! Wine tasting beauty. It’s stunning Paso Robles! Wine tasting beauty. It’s stunning here. And the landscape is nice too ;).
Found my brother’s old ad copy. Good fun-writing Found my brother’s old ad copy. Good fun-writing inspiration...
Just in case I wasn’t feeling ancient enough, th Just in case I wasn’t feeling ancient enough, the rainbow jumper and white bobby socks oughta do it. No but wait! There’s a bowl cut. Annnnnnnddd giant gold-rimmed specs.
#CentennialFashion
Load More... Follow on Instagram
  • About
  • Contact
  • Privacy Policy

Copyright © 2023 · Hello Chicky

We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. By clicking “Accept”, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies.
Do not sell my personal information.
Cookie settingsACCEPT
Privacy & Cookies Policy

Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these cookies, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may have an effect on your browsing experience.
Necessary
Always Enabled
Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. These cookies do not store any personal information.
Non-necessary
Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website.
SAVE & ACCEPT