I Was a Rock. If You Don't Count the Ugly Cry.

So... yesterday was THE day.

I sent my 10 year old Grace and 7 year old Liv off to public school for the very first time. Grace attended a private school last year and we simply didn't have the funds (as in COLD HARD CASH! Private school is ex-PENNNN-sive, ya'll!) to send one of them back, much less TWO of them. It's this little thing called eating that our family likes to do occasionally. Liv has just homeschooled for the past 2 years.

I'm not going to get into as to why we chose public school and whether or not it's wrong or right for Christians to send their children there. I might tell that story later - because I used to be one of those that said it could only be one way. Let's just say that I believe there is grace in many things and for my own personal sanity (quite literally), this was the best decision for us at this time in our lives. And look at me ... talking like people are actually READING this thing! Ha! (With exception of you, Jennifer! Thank you!)

It was a hard morning all the way around for me. The getting up part, especially. I am not a morning person, y'all. The girls, however, were JACKED up! And when the lunches were packed and the backpacks on their backs, making them look like cute little pack mules ... it was time. We had to walk out the d00r

Wow Liv. Thanks for that shot of the paper towel and Kleenex. Real classy.

And then one in front of the school... and again, the paper towel.

And then came the long walk in. Okay, not really, but it sounded more dramatic that way. Bet ya can't guess what's under Liv's left arm..

BUT...

I begged for just ONE more picture. Because we all know that there is nothing more special than a shot in front of dirty, red brick.

And guess what?

AGAIN... that lovely roll of paper towel forever preserved in our 2010 Back-to-School pictures!

And then we walked into the building taking Liv to her class first so she could finally unload that cumbersome roll of paper towel. And as we stood there waiting for the teacher to greet her and send me off, I felt the lump swelling in my throat. I did not want to break out into the Ugly Cry in front of a bunch of 2nd graders, so while we were waiting I leaned down and whispered into Liv's ear that she was going to have a fantastic day and how much I loved her. That's when my voice cracked. I tried to cover with a throat clear, but I'm not 100% sure she was buying it. I managed to not sob into the teacher's bosom, waved goodbye and left.

Then I had to take Grace to her classroom. Y'all, I SO did NOT want to be THAT parent that walked into her kid's 5th grade class. But I was. She can get therapy later. I sat her at her desk and again told her I loved her, said my goodbyes and left. And I kid you not ... she was SO stinking small compared to the other girls! In more ways than one.. ::wink wink:: ... holy cow! But that's for another post. I could tell she was ready to be on her own and when the girl next to her said 'hi' to her I felt a whole lot better.

I walked down the hallway, supressing the emotional wave that was engulfing me, then out of the school. I had to walk across the street to get to my Suburban and dang it all if I didn't have to use the crossing guard. I so BAD wanted to take a picture of her, but thought that would look a little creepy to the other parents standing around. Yea. So I didn't. I finally made it across the street, got into my Suburban and proceeded to cry the very definition of the Ugly Cry.

No sir-ee, it was not pretty in the least. I went on a guilt trip or two, beat myself up a little, wiped the mascara from my weepy eyes and then drove off. It was over.

Good thing I had a busy day planned out or I KNOW I would have obsessed a time or 52. I took Hope and Charlie with me to the chiropractor and then we headed to the Land of Shoes and Great Clearance ...

Target. (angel voices singing loudly)

This would be the Target where walking through the Ladies Shoe Department, Hope loudly proclaims,

"Mommy! You have boobies!"

Charlie decides she wants in on the fun and begins yelling,

"Boobies, boobies, boobies!!" And then proceeds to start poking the aforementioned area.

I shushed Hope, but apparently not enough because the next (loud) thing out of her mouth was,

"WHY do you have boobies, Mommy? Are they to feed Charlie?"

I'm certain that is some mother out there who could have used this as a learning opportunity, I however, was NOT that mother.

We exited the shoe department swiftly. I'm not ashamed to say I ran.

I spent the rest of the afternoon running errands and only showed up 30 minutes early to pick the girls up. I thought that was pretty good for the overprotective momma that I am can sometimes be.

I am proud to announce there were two very happy, exhausted girls.

I was good until last night when I was reminded that we have to do it all over again today. ::sigh::

But hopefully without the Ugly Cry.