School days, school days,
Dear old golden rule days.
'Readin' and 'ritin' and 'rithmetic,
Taught to the tune of a hick'ry stick.
I was your queen in calico,
You were my bashful barefoot beau,
And I wrote on your slate,
'I love you, Joe,'
When we were a couple of kids.
Colby's first day of college was Tuesday. She was nervous sick having not been in classroom since 6th grade. She isn't comfortable driving alone and Steven and I took her to school. She needed to check the bookstore for her psych book as it had not been in stock previously. This is what she told me later that evening when the house was quiet and we waited for Steven come home from work -
"Dad waited while I purchased my book. He carried my books and walked me to class."
That is the first time in her life someone other then I walked her into school on the first day. Yes, I know she is 18 but she didn't mind. She let him walk her in because she knew it would make him feel better -if not herself.
I can't even begin to tell you how excited Steven was to take her to school. He took the morning off to do so. The women in his office thought it was the sweetest thing they had ever heard.
Wednesday was Gracie's first day of second grade. Again Steven took the morning off so he could be with her and walk her to class. He carried her bookbag and walked her down the long hallway. Her teacher is a very nice young woman. I think she will have a good experience in this class.
Yesterday wasn't the most perfect day for Gracie. Just before lunch she was physically ill and I was called by the nurse to come pick her up. So we had a half of a first day.
Her teacher gave all of the students a ziplock bag containing the following:
1 cotton ball
1 hershey's chocolate kiss
1 sticker
1 penny
1 star
1 tissue
1 band-aid
1 eraser
1 Life Saver
A little note tucked in read:
The cotton ball is to remind you that this room is full of kind words and warm feelings.
The chocolate kiss is to comfort you when you are feeling sad.
The sticker is to remind you that we will stick together and help each other.
The penny is to remind you that you are valuable and special.
The star is to remind you to shine and always try your best.
The tissue is to remind you to dry someone's tears.
The band-aid is to reminf you to heal hurt feelings in your friends and yourself.
The eraser is to remind you that evryone makes mistakes and that it is okay.
The Life Saver is to remind you that you can come to me if you need someone to talk to.
I wonder how many children in that class will grasp the true meaning of those items and learn to trust and respect their teacher and classmates.
Today is my first day at home all alone. Everyone is gone to school or working.
What will I do to fill my time?
I went to the bookstore yesterday and picked up something to fill my time (other than chores):
The Secret Life of Bees,
The Good Wife Strikes Back, and
True and Outstanding Adventures of the Hunt Sisters.
Cup of coffee anyone? Put your feet up and we can sit in the quiet still of this morning and lose ourselves in another world.
What are you currently reading?
I've read the first two on your list and you will like them!
Steven is (as I have said before ) ONE in a million! Your girls are so lucky that you found him (you too, of course.)
That teacher is also one in a million!
I am off to work, so I don't have time to chat right now. Catch you later.
I just finished "The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night Time". It was an interesting read. I've read the "Bees" and loved it, but not any of the others on your list. Let me know what you think of them.
Two-to-one Colby is the most well-grounded kid in her class.
I'm currently reading another interesting post by my buddy Angie. Thanks for asking.
Sounds like both girls are going to have a great school year. What a great dad taking them both to their first class. I hope Gracie is feeling better.
Steven sounds like a gem. He's a great dad to those kiddos. :)
I hope Colby starts to ease in soon,that's such a big adjustment! good luck to her :)
Hope Gracie feels better too. what a way to get sick on the first day of school.
I just finished Deception Point by Dan Brown. It was so/so. I've been looking for new books to read, so thanks for the heads up on these three books. I'll look for them.
"America" by Jon Stewart. I only read at bedtime, though... so sometimes I doze off and have to re-read the same paragraph the next night. At this rate, it will be months before I start my next book, which will be Angels and Demons.
I am reading the Undomestic Goddess by Sophie Kinsella, she wrote the Shopholics series and a hilarious book The Secret. I finished recently reading the Divinci Code and Angels & Demons. My greatest find for light reading is Laurie Notaro, my daughter is reading her books now and calls me to tell me she is laughing at loud.
Gracie's teacher sounds amazing. Reading about Colby and Steven, well you know me I cried out of joy.
What a wonderfully thoughtful bag of reminders for Gracie & class! I am very encouraged about that teacher. Very encouraged indeed! :)
& what a sweetie of Stephen to see the girls off on their first days! Awwww. :D
Those books sound way too interesting. I'm jotting them down so I can look for them once I get off my Merry-Go-Round of Chaos. LOL!
~hugs~
Okay, I'm back home now and I can tell you some books I've read recently that I feel good about recommending:
The Red Tent by Anita Diamant (she also has a new one coming out)
The Mermaid Chair by Sue Monk Kidd (I think)
I've just started Bel Canto by Ann Patchett
Sounds like your girls had eventful first days of school. Currently I'm reading, The Time Traveler's Wife...it's quite addicting. I wish I had more time to devote to it.
Angie, I wanted to email this to you - but had to put it here:On Tuesday, Sept. 20th, Kelly Monaco and John O'Hurley and
their respective partners will compete again. This time in a 90-minute
"dance-off." The live broadcast will air at 8:30pm EST, on ABC.
No coincidently, John O'Hurley appears for a non-speaking cameo
on the same day as a cop, on GH. Kelly and he exchange a knowing
look.
"The dance-off will feature each couple performing several styles
of dance -- Latin, ballroom and freestyle...Our colorful and animated
judges will return to give their critiques, but only viewers' votes will count…
America will truly decide the winner of the dance-off. Viewers are invited
to weigh in with their votes via phones and the internet immediately
following the broadcast on the 20th. And unlike the series, they won't
have to wait a week to learn the results of their votes. This time, results
will be announced during a separate telecast which will air on
Thursday, Sept. 22.", according to ABC's press release.
Hi there! I ALWAYS have a hard time and feel lonely when my babies go to school. I hope you had a good day and did something fun for yourself!
Cool! good story about college...sorry about gracie.
I've read the 1st two books you mentioned. Is the 3rd one the same person who wrote "Revenge of the middle aged woman"? If not, that's a very good book too :)
I'm not reading any good novels right now...but I am reading a new book by a NY Times reporter about exercise & health.
Steven is one in a million...what a great back to school story.
As for books I'm reading 'The Magician's Nephew' to prepare the boy for The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe' movie, after that who knows....
Hello. MommaK (Michele) sent me. I like your site. I'll be back. K
Wow, a second grader and a college freshman! Good luck to both. Here via Momma K. & Michele.
Good morning, Angie, I am here via Mommk K and Michele today, but you and I are old friends, aren't we?!
What a lovely thing for the teacher to do.
I'm currently reading Prophecy by Elizabeth Haydon.
Michele (aka MommaK) sent me :)
Stopping by to say hello.....
What a simply glorious post. MommaK is very wise in choosing her inspirations, of course, she knows a thing or two about being inspiring.
You certainly do have a wonderful blog Angie.
Currently I am reading my summer of Doris Lessing books - however, I have paused that for the weekend to re-read To The Lighthouse by Virginia Woolf because I am using it as part of a speech I am writing. How wonderful is it to be paid to read this beautiful book? Very!
Have a lovely day Angie.
Post Script: MommaK sent me - ah, but I think you knew that.
Hey Angie,
MommaK sent me through MIchele! haha how strange that is to write!! Anyways your blog is awesome and I love what you wrote...I love those items that the teacher gave her how awesome I really hope it made her feel a little better...anyways I hope you have a great weekend TTYL
I'm reading Until I Find You, by John Irving. Very intereting, very typical Irving.
Hi, Michele sent me!
What a wonderful little bag from the teacher. It's a great idea for someone who has everything too.
It sounds like both girls are off to a good start of their school years. It sounds like Gracie was a little nervous too. And you, alone with your entire day to yourself. Enjoy!
You will LOVE The Secret Life of Bees. I read it and am now re-reading, out loud-to my 13 year old.
Hi there, Momma K and Michele sent me today. I love the thought of your girls being walked to class by their daddy, and Gracie's teacher sounds gifted and wonderful.
I read "The True and Outstanding..." last year and LOVED it; it was one of my favorites all year. This week my car book is "The Summer I Dared" by Barbara Delinsky. I just finished "Two-Dollar Bill" by Stuart Woods and am starting "The Summer We Got Saved" by Pat Cunningham DeVoto.
Congrats on being Momma K's/Michele site of the day!! I'm finally delurking ;0) I think it's wonderful that Colby is so sensitive to Steven's feelings too ;0) She'll do great I just know it!!...We made similar bags for the teachers on their first day this year...I think it's great they did it for Gracie! In their own ways, they'll come to appreciate different aspects...even if it's just a hint of sympathy or comfort they've never felt before. Enjoy your reading!!
MommaK (via Michele) sent me today. Love your blog!
Hello Angie, MommaK sent me! I loved your post and aren't y'all lucky to have such a great Dad and teacher?
I'm in-between books at the moment. I recently completed The Sensualist by Barbara Hodgson and The Hummingbird's Daughter by Luis Alberto Urrea. Finishing up The Iliad and I am planning another trip to the bookstore. Thanks for asking. :)
I'm still trying unsuccessfully to slog through the newest Harry Potter- Hard with a 16-month-old, though.
I've read The Secret Life of Bees and loved it.
Your husband sounds wonderful- My husband loves our girls to no end and is currently working a crazy 3:30am-12:30am shift on Tuesdays and Thursdays just so he can go to their soccer games in the afternoons... I just love that in a man.
i'm currently reading you, here via michelle's via mommak. i have had absolutely no time to myself all summer, i pack my oldest up this weekend for university, the other two start school in a week, maybe then after i catch my breathe, i'll at least be able to look at the newspaper.
Hey angie, i am a day late..i feel like shit now..
Oh too bad gracie got sick at school..poor thing..
but soon your home alone days will be filled with crying baby and poopy diapers..lol..enjoy the quiet while you can..
I have the secret life of bees..i havnt read it yet though
This was fun, huh? If you have time, please stop by today. I have a question in my garden.
Hope you have a great weekend:)
Is it okay that this post made me cry? Can I please have a tissue?
Steven is a wonderful man, everyone should be so lucky to have a dad like that! I pray my husband will see the smaller things that have impact in some way on our childrens lives.
I just love coming over here every morning and see what you have to share with us. I enjoy your writing very much.
I'm not currently reading anything, but have The Wedding ( part 2 of The Notebook) waiting for me when I get around to it.
All these splendid new beginnings! I'm getting so much vicarious pleasure out of "college starts" around the community. And Gracie, in only 2nd grade! Lucky you, with years of school starts to come.
I'm reading Influenza, the Great Pandemic of 1918. Not light, but absolutely fascinating.
Hello, MommaK and Michele sent me! (I'm a bit late~sorry for that. I do like to make a grand entrance). ;)
This particular post made me remember my childrens' first day of school...almost made me weepy with nostalgia. I'm glad I was sent here today!
What a great teacher to do such a thing.
MommaK sent me, and I always do what MommaK says. :)
What a hubby and what a teacher!! My son is horrified that school starts next thursday....my heart is breaking for him. Loved your site, here from Michele's!!
After reading this and your latest comment on my site about Steven doing the french braiding I have to say that your girls are so lucky to have him and they obviously know it. And you are a good mom for picking him and letting him take over the hair and dropping off. It's great for your girls. It's often hard for me to let go like that. I need to be better.
I am so behind on all my blog reading... First of all, congrats to Colby! I know she will do so well - that girl is as smart as they come and a hard worker to boot. As for Steven: I can only echo the commenters above and say that he is a great guy. Enjoy your quiet days - I think it might be nice to have a little "just Angie" time before the baby comes.
I'm reading Midnight In The Garden of Good and Evil. I've seen the movie, but am just now getting around to reading the book. It's a little tedious slogging though the detailed descriptions of Savannah's historical restoration, but the characters are interesting. Once I'm done, I'll have to watch the move again.
Well, um. Nobody sent me but I'm here anyway just because I like it ! I'm reading the first in a series by Ann B Ross called "Miss Julia Speaks Her Mind" that my Mom turned me on to. It is a HOOT ;) If you find a Steven clone, send him my way. I need a fella.