« storm king | Main | a sprinkler suit »
Tuesday
Sep152009

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). 

References (1)

References allow you to track sources for this article, as well as articles that were written in response to this article.

Reader Comments (50)

1. sometimes i wish your blog was more personal because i feel like i know nothing of what is going on with you guys! and we miss you. what was the school battle.
2. stunning clothing again, but you already know i would say that.
3. and you did hint about patterns in the fall, i just am so excited.

September 15, 2009 | Unregistered CommenterPam

really?! aww man, i would soooo wear the clothes you make, that would kill me if my kids (when i have some) rejected something i made or got for them. guess the tunic is a bit long on ruth but still it looks good over jeans. do they fit their funky custom made shoes yet? keds or something...

September 16, 2009 | Unregistered Commenterjos

The things I have to look forward to as a mother! My little guy was due Mon-still not here yet-but I hear it goes by quickly.
I bet hey were the cutest girls-best dressed for sure-in their classes!!

September 16, 2009 | Unregistered CommenterA Merry Mishap

gosh your girls are funny. i think they'd get along so well with my son - he could teach them all about hieroglyphics and they could teach him how to play princesses. oh wait, he already plays princesses really well. and fairies ... the tunics are gorgeous and sad as it is, you must be looking forward to some breathing time during the day?!?!

September 16, 2009 | Unregistered Commenterbelinda

So adorable little girls and mom! I cross fingers that one day you will release some patterns. But think about the boys too! I wonder if my almost 3y old would look good with a tunique. Anyway, I have my little baby girl whose mom is waiting to dress her as stylishly as yours. Thanks for the inspiring blog and thoughts.

September 16, 2009 | Unregistered CommenterVirginie

nothing like a last minute project! They look wonderful. I feel like crying just thinking about my little girl starting school next year - and the battle I will have to have with our local authority to get her into any school near my house!!

September 16, 2009 | Unregistered CommenterKnickknock

Congratualtions on a successful school start!

My little one has just started primary school too. Here in Ireland we call the class for 5 years olds Junior Infants. We are in week three and we've had a few tears and bumps in the road but everyone is settling into the new routine.

It is such an exciting time for our little girl as she make new friends and finds her little way in the world. She recounts her enchanting little stories at the end of each school day and is learning so many new things and we are so enthralled lisening to her, her excitement becoming our own.

I hope your two little girls will enjoy every experience of their new journey in life as they are given the gift of education that will continue on as life long learning.

Thank you for the beautiful pictures. Makes me feel that my little girls experience is part of a worldwide one as all the little kids start school around the world.

September 16, 2009 | Unregistered CommenterSarah

I love the stripes and the post! glad that it's going well.

September 16, 2009 | Unregistered Commenterjones

I think that one day they will appreciate your craftiness, especially when they realize that they were oh-so-stylish, ahead of their time! So cute!

September 16, 2009 | Unregistered CommenterHayley

Once I made a skirt for my 2 1/2 year old and she tossed it over her shoulder.
Oh well! (she is 3 1/2 now)
But anyways,,,, do you follow a pattern for the dresses or just go along with your own pattern?
Jennifer in CO

September 16, 2009 | Unregistered CommenterJennifer

Had I showered and brushed my teeth, I would have thoroughly enjoyed the girls first day of school. I do feel extremely happy and grateful I got to trail at least 5 steps behind you guys with Ruthie while rushing to school, and getting to watch Eve set such a great example to her classmates. So many great memories with you guys, I love you all.

September 16, 2009 | Unregistered Commenteralysha

i can't believe you cranked those out in the middle of the night- adorable! but how do you stay awake? i really need to know! i just love you guys and your posts. i love the comment aobut how ruthie will have her own teacher and class- it's such a good perspective becuse i totally stress about things out of my control like that too. xoxo, patria

September 17, 2009 | Unregistered CommenterPatria

The outfits are awesome! Tell Ruth she looks super cool with the jeans.

September 17, 2009 | Unregistered CommenterNicki

They look so adorable! Oh, I'm getting all teary again-- like when I saw Eve dance the merengue. They're growing up too fast!

September 18, 2009 | Unregistered Commentermim

lovely post! love the outfits and can definitely relate to head exploding fifteen time a day.

September 18, 2009 | Unregistered Commentercasapinka

Sounds like such an adventure. Love the outfits and totally understand the whole phase thing.

September 20, 2009 | Unregistered CommenterMama Veg

OH- the life of a parent, brings on so much drama just because you love your kids so much :)

September 21, 2009 | Unregistered CommenterShanda

The pleating on the neckline of Ruth's smock is just precious.

September 21, 2009 | Unregistered CommenterJasie VanGesen

love the outfits!!! did you make the one shirt with the skirt from a pattern? if so, which pattern is it? love your blog!!!

Love love your sewing, just adorable. Any chance of sharing/selling a few of your patterns for some of us less skilled sewers?!!

September 24, 2009 | Unregistered CommenterJacqui

I love what you did with those stripes !!
I'm really happy I discovered your blog !

September 29, 2009 | Unregistered CommenterTanpopo

Your blog is delightful, and my current favourite! Your sewing is amazing. In some ways I wish you weren't 'quite' as talented as you are. That way you would use a pattern like the rest of us mere mortals and then be able to share with us which one so we could attempt to copy you!

I stumbled upon your blog through a link from a friend. Thank you so much for sharing x

October 2, 2009 | Unregistered CommenterPeta

Oh, what a wonderful post, filled with pride and love!

My tall girl said she wants to go to Kindergarden about two weeks ago - I wanted to wait until January at least but as she wanted it, I had to let her go. I also cried and now I am so proud of her as well - she's doing great and I'm getting used to give her "wings".

Kind regards Nina

October 5, 2009 | Unregistered CommenterNina

What is the name or where did you get the stripped fabric? Its jaw dropping fantastic!

October 8, 2009 | Unregistered CommenterBrenda Farley

[Sniffle.]

So, so sweet.

January 27, 2010 | Unregistered CommenterAlicia P.

PostPost a New Comment

Enter your information below to add a new comment.

My response is on my own website »
Author Email (optional):
Author URL (optional):
Post:
 
Some HTML allowed: <a href="" title=""> <abbr title=""> <acronym title=""> <b> <blockquote cite=""> <code> <em> <i> <strike> <strong>