i cried, they didn't
they did it. last wednesday both girls got up, got dressed, ate breakfast, posed for pictures and ran to school where they joined their classmates as members of the new york city public school system. eve is a big time kindergartener and ruthie is a big time pre-k-er. things didn't seem to go as smoothly as last year, which i suppose is natural now that there are two. especially when one of them is ruth, who is going through a real phase right now, the kind of phase that i would think was so crazy and entertaining and absolutely endearing (if slightly alarming) were i an observer.. but as her mother, my head explodes about fifteen times a day.. still, even though ruth is awesomely unpredictable and even though it was completely different than last year, this year's first day was a great day.
after our run to school chip took ruth to register and i jogged hand in hand with eve to kindergarten. the room was hot and crowded. eve was a little nervous, but amazing. no nail biting, no tearing up. a tighter grip on my hand and a shoulder pressed into my leg for a moment and she was off.. cautiously and quietly, but she was off. after all, she is in kindergarten now. "did you like how i listened to you right away and didn't scream when ruth drew all over my arm with marker? it's because i'm in kindergarten." "did you see how i didn't throw a fit when ruth pulled my hair even though it hurt super bad? it's because i'm in kindergarten now."
ruthie got into eve's old class, which we were thrilled about. ecstatic about. especially after the months-long battle i've had with the nyc department of ed just to get her into our zoned school. on day two she got pulled out and put into another class. i wasn't happy (enter: break down in the principal's office) but have since gotten over and embraced the change. ruth was sold the second she got to dress up like a "super cool princess" with the new friend that has her exact same shoes.
midnight the night before school rolled around and i couldn't not make them something for this big day. the stripes were pulled out and i sewed into the wee hours of the morning. their response when i presented the shirts? "do i have to? really? i kind of don't want to." eve took pity on me and my blank stare and after some coercion, ruthie did too (although she will never ever wear the tunic with jeans again, only tights because [exaggerated sigh and attempted eyeroll] "this is a dress mom, not a shirt. look!").
and, off they go. one resolved, the other mostly oblivious, both happy and good and ready to take on the world. as long as you don't make ruthie eat pickles or make eve take more than three bites of chicken (even though she's five).
Tuesday, September 15, 2009 at 12:12PM
Reader Comments (50)
awwww, the last picture is the one that gets me! A little girl in a BIG hallway. Have a great school year!
I love, love, love the stripes-so cool (and I think the jeans look great --as would tights) No worries either-my Mom and Dad who were divorced for 13 years and on the day of their would have been 20th wedding anniversary dropped me off at my dorm room for my first year of college and they BOTH cried. That's what it is to be a parent. Sounds like a perfect first day of school for your girls. You should be proud of them and yourself!! Hope it's a great school year for Eve and Ruthie--and their Mom. :-)
i love everything about this. even the part about ruthie getting put into another class, because she'll get to be ruthie and not "ruthie, eve's sister". collette had the same thing happen and she is super proud of her own class and own teacher. way to go katie! (midnight sewing!? you are crazy, but they are super cute)
Love the shirts your made for the girls! Simply adorable.
kindergarten, gulp. that comes for us next year. I could barely handle preschool this year. love the outfits as always. they are such dolls.
I can TOTALLY empathize with you about the lack of enthusiasm kids have when wearing the homemade clothes you 'slaved' over for hours. I'm excited about Halloween and making costumes and my older daughter insists that she wants to go 'out' and buy a costume for trick or treat night. It really breaks my heart:( Finally we agreed that I'd make one for one night and she could buy one for another night.
If it's any consolation...."I" love them. And your daughters are ADORABLE in them:)
Here's to a great school year!
love reading your blog. your girls looked great- a little obsessed with all of their homemade clothing. wish it came in my size.
Kate, the look of trepidation on Eve's face is priceless!! What a brave girl! I am glad you won the school battle, I have been wondering how that turned out. Now you get some Mom and Charlie time!
They are so adorable! And I love their first day of school shirts!
I love their outfits, you are super talented. They are so adorable, you are so blessed. I hope your year gets easier and easier.
aw They looked great for their big day! (even if they put a little fit to wear them. I know it must be hard on the first day watching them, but it sounds like it will be a good year:)
love it!!! i get sad, too, when summer is over and school season begins...i need to watch my babies look so independent without me...
I just stumbled across your site and I can only say that it's love at first site. Adorable family, stories and ideas.
http://maialarasaid.blogspot.com/
As I was reading your post I realized that in less than one year my daughter's going to school for the first time...
I'm sure I'll cry too :-)))
Your girls are adorable!
I just love reading your posts! There - it's out in the open...
You write about your children and your everyday life in such a fantastic way, which makes me laugh out loudly although I'm alone in the room, and almost cry a little bit ( thank God I'm alone in the room!)
And how wonderful that you had been sewing all night for your girls! I tried that too while making my son a shark costume this February...
thanks for sharing.
Oh, I can SO relate to every word you wrote. After moving up to Seattle from Portland this Summer, our girls are dealing with LOTS of change...bigger one starting first grade, smaller one starting pre-school.
I'm not sure who was move nervous when we took the first grader to school, me or her. She did great and I was so pleased and proud and...relieved.
I didn't even attempt to make a skirt, shirt, capelet or ANYTHING because any hint of rejection would have pushed me over the emotional abyss!
Lovely creations, as always-- thanks so much for the inspiration and candor.
Beautiful post, Katie. Love the tops and the expressions on your girls’ faces.
beautifully written...lovely clothes...didn't you hint about your patterns coming out? CAN'T WAIT!
Delurking to say how adorable your daughters look - truly heartbreaking. I've loved reading your blog archives. Thanks for the inspiration!
Your girls are such beautiful little dolls with such great fashion senses ;)
My friend sent me your blog link. I was immediately riveted as I have a blonde - 6 since yesterday - little girl who could be mistaken as a sister of your girls. I am now hooked and love your creations, which I would love to emulate, but am afraid my child would break my heart and refuse to wear. I will stick to embellishing vests and making dresses out of pillowcases for as long she will continue to wear them. Good luck with the school year.
Those children...they never cry, leaving you all weepy and feeling like, "Don't you care that you're leaving me?"
I'm the same way about sewing for my kids. Big event = mom sewing something to usher it in. My kids are the same way about the things I sew. Not so excited. Except my littlest one. She's only 2 and will still squeal, "You make dis for meeee?"
Such great pictures! And great tops/tunics/dresses
love this post its so nerve racking just contemplating sending your little one off to school....my eldest starts next feb.(australian school year) and im terrified
its like the end of a really good book and I dont know if Im going to enjoy the sequal as much as the original first 5yrs of his life (does that make sense?)
love the shirts your girls look super cute especially love the shoes very cool
www.ideyspidey.blogspot.com
My goodness, they are so cute. What a good mommy to stay up late making shirts, appreciated or not. One day they'll love you for it oh so much. :)