I admit, I never thought it would happen, but I cried at the kids’ pre-school today. We got all ready for the first day of school. We packed lunches. We wore cute outfits. We talked about our teachers and how excited we were to see our friends again. We attempted to take first day pictures for our memory books. I imagined 3 hours to get things done in silence and maybe even take a nap. The whole family was excited!
That excitement was short lived. Ross and I argued over the light for the pictures because we were tired and probably a little crabby and ready for school to start. The kids fought over who would hold Violet and the picture above is the best we got. I got irrationally annoyed that my 3 kids – all under 3 – could not get a professional looking photograph because they could not stop arguing and sit still for one minute. I admit it – my nerves were (are) frayed. I over-reacted. But I kept thinking there is only 1 first day of school each year – and we have to capture it.
Surprise!
Turns out I am a fool. Ross kept saying Monday and I kept thinking today was September 1, not August 30. We pulled up to the pre-school and there was some sort of event going on for a local college. There was no drop-off line. There were not teachers. I pulled out my blackberry and looked at the date. August 30. There was no school today.
As much as I love my kids, as I pulled out of the parking lot, I cried. I am tired…really tired. It might sound wrong but 2 more days seems like a lot right now. I have nothing planned for kids and a lot of things I will have to push back. The kids were hysterical because of our mistake so they cried too. To be honest, I think we all need a little break, some time to be ourselves with our friends. They have been SO excited to start. I know not all kids are like this but I swear to you my kids are some sort of super social crazy pre-schoolers who live and breathe for “kid-time”.
So now, I have wiped my tears and taken a little break while they watched Dora. It is time for me to go make my kids smile and laugh and spend these last couple days together before they run off to their friends.
I have re-scheduled my nap for Wednesday. I will prepare an area for the new First Day of School Pics. I will re-pack their lunches and we will get excited all over again talking about friends and teachers.
We can’t wait for the “Real” First Day of School!
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I am the Ringmaster of this circus. I have 3 small children who don't know what that means so I just say "Boss" and they get that. I am a mom who loves to write, build things, make things and love on my kids and my hubs. I am also in the midst of a love affair with social media. Always busy, usually laughing and never without words. Thus, Mommy Words. 
{ 28 comments… read them below or add one }
Awwww, that’s a big letdown! It’s great that you were able to regroup and I’m sure Wednesday will go great now that you’ve had a “trial run”
Brittney´s last [type] ..Take Two
Twitter: mommywords
August 30, 2010 at 1:38 pm
Thanks and I sure hope so. Now counting the hours until Wednesday!
Oh my God, this is totally something I would do–get the wrong freaking first day of school. Sometimes I swear I am losing my marbles. I must say, I adore that second picture.
Twitter: mommywords
August 30, 2010 at 1:39 pm
My marbles are way gone and I totally blame the kids. If I didn’t have them I am sure I would have known the freaking date ya know? Thanks – he does a good crazy surprise face!
Twitter: ThetaMom
August 30, 2010 at 12:22 pm
What an EPIC letdown! Well, at least you still have the first day to look forward to!
Theta Mom´s last [type] ..Another Epic Parent Fail
Twitter: mommywords
August 30, 2010 at 1:40 pm
Yes and look forward I will. If my calendar wasn;t under this huge piles of bills and stuff that I was planning to get to while they were in school maybe I would have been more on the ball huh? I should have known when my blackberry didn’t alert me though…cause its so in there!
Twitter: IHaveLanded
August 30, 2010 at 12:25 pm
You now have a dry run of the first day of school, and the opportunity for a do-over the real first day. How many people can say that?
Justine´s last [type] ..What I have learned so far
Twitter: mommywords
August 30, 2010 at 1:41 pm
I just hope our do-over includes a good first day picture and no tears. Thanks!
Twitter: zanditaylor
August 30, 2010 at 12:42 pm
first: I am sorry but I just LMAO. Karma will get me one-day for that I know.
second : I am sorry! Thats a brutal thing to happen. After I laughed I realized how traumatic it must have been for all of you.
HUGS. love ya. Wednesday will be all the sweeter when it gets here.
Twitter: mommywords
August 30, 2010 at 1:42 pm
Love you too! And yes, you know for me and my uber social lids – this was a total bummer. I know most moms are all upset to say goodbye and hey – I have my moments when I miss them while they are there but those moments do not make me pick them up early or anything, ya know. xoxo
Aw, I can only imagine how disappointed they are, but as someone mentioned above, hopefully the “trial run” will make the real first day a breeze!
Twitter: sweetpeachesmom
August 30, 2010 at 2:00 pm
Oh, my…I am laughing only because this is definitely something I would do. Just today, I was waiting on my babysitter to come and 30 minutes after she was supposed to arrive, and I was going to find my phone to find out exactly why she wasn’t at my house yet, I realized it was Monday. (I’m SO glad I didn’t actually call her yet!)
And you totally get to try again to get a great picture! That’s a huge bonus.
I’ll check back for the real first day pictures on Wednesday!
Twitter: azlb
August 30, 2010 at 2:11 pm
omg how horrible. On the brightside you get a redo for the 1st day of school
AZLB´s last [type] ..Yes- I cried
Twitter: GratefulTwinMom
August 30, 2010 at 3:36 pm
Who doesn’t love a “do over?” Look at the flexibility this teaches your kids? “Oh well,” you say, “I guess we’ll look on the bright side. We get two more days together.” Like you said. Have a wonderful couple days, and then REALLY enjoy your nap on Wednesday. Love that you scheduled it in….
Grateful Twin Mom´s last [type] ..I Want What I Want When I Want It – the 7-year-old version
Twitter: mommywords
August 30, 2010 at 4:41 pm
Thanks!!! I am waiting for Wednesday and we actually got a bunch of stuff done today although much more slowly than had it been just me. Still – we learned some lessons and we had some fun! My nap will be incredible!!!
O my gosh I think I would have cried too, hugs. Everything is so much more intense when you are tired. You had a practice day and will now have a fantastic first day:)
Twitter: mommywords
August 30, 2010 at 4:42 pm
It really is the exhaustion I think. Violet is still waking at around 1 and 5 am and with all the heat and long summer I was just really ready for some me time. After a few deep breaths and a couple of Dora episodes of semi me time I felt ready to tackle the day! Thanks!!!
Twitter: SoniaBarton
August 30, 2010 at 6:02 pm
Well it sounds like you have regrouped, I would have cried, also. And think maybe they are to young to hold this over your head, mine won’t stop talking about the 2 times I left her at school and she had to walk home, Didn’t have any cell phones yet, to cheap to pay for them.
Twitter: mommywords
August 31, 2010 at 9:05 am
Haha sometimes I wonder what would happen if I left them at school? I wonder because I’m not sure if they would notice they love it so much. But if they did – I’m pretty sure my almost 4 year old would take every chance she got to tell everyone she knows all the time that mommy forgot her!
Twitter: SoniaBarton
September 2, 2010 at 8:50 am
Nothing much will happen, if they are old enough and they live close – they’ll walk home (but you are right only after they are done.) and if they are not or you don’t live close they will end up in the office and someone will eventually get a hold of you. With all the things I had to do while mine were growing up, I learned early on, that they really are surrounded by more people that want to help them than the one’s that want to hurt them. It’s hard doing it all – sometimes you just blank out and you need some help.
SoniaBarton´s last [type] ..Recycle Jacket into a purse
Twitter: adventuroo
August 30, 2010 at 7:44 pm
Girl- I would have cried too! At least you’ll be able to laugh about it one day. Sounds like you’re taking it in stride though!
Twitter: mommywords
August 31, 2010 at 9:06 am
Thanks although I’m not sure crying in the parking lot was taking it in stride! Haha – we are doing okay but I am counting the hours at this point!
Twitter: mommythisnthat
August 30, 2010 at 8:15 pm
Oh my, that is quite traumatic, especially when you are mentally prepared for what you want to happen. I admit it…I have done this about my husband’s schedule. I will think he is coming home and then realize I am off a day and end up crying in frustration.
Melisa´s last [type] ..Fashionable Friday
Twitter: mybottlesup
August 31, 2010 at 12:59 pm
they are so flippin flappin stinkin cute.
Twitter: mommywords
August 31, 2010 at 1:52 pm
As is the magoo my dear. Now to plan that glass or 3 of wine without any of those stinkin’ cute kids!
Twitter: mybottlesup
August 31, 2010 at 1:54 pm
i know!!!!!!! sheesh… we can dream…
Twitter: CoffeesCommutes
September 1, 2010 at 2:36 pm
Since I’m reading this on September 1st, I’m really hoping you’ve had a brighter day. Had I been there I would come, swept you away, and treated you to something decadent and chocolate. Cause I hear you, sometimes mama needs a break and now!
Christine LaRocque´s last [type] ..Big girl blog
Twitter: AllThingsMamma
September 6, 2010 at 10:35 pm
Awww….I bet you were all disappointed!
I am ready for my 4 yr old to head off to preschool tomorrow, as I believe she is and her 2 yr old brother is. We all need a little break from each other and a change. I really think Summer break is too long. Not that I want to send my kids off to school and not have them home, but it is really a long time to have a break. The kids don’t get it.
Kasey@AllThingsMamma´s last [type] ..Amazing Labor Day Weather