Mac's First Week of Kindergarten: A Retrospective

I discovered on Thursday morning how badly Mac's sandals -- and his little feet inside them -- smelled. I checked them more closely (while holding my breath) and found they were not only worn out under the big toe, but also too small for him. A sure sign that summer is indeed coming to an end. He was as reluctant to relinquish them as I was to relinquish summer to the eager breezes of autumn; Mac to the world of school. Yes, the other sign that summer is ending is that Mac completed his 1st week of kindergarten today. Here are the highlights. Mac was walked to school by his mommy and brother, his Aunt M and even his dad made a guest appearance for the occasion. The paparazzi rivaled the search for Suri Cruise! We all accompanied the 25 children, plus parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles, and siblings into room 101, Lincoln School. I don't remember such a to-do 33 when ago when my own mother left me off in the same room. I didn't cry then. I almost didn't cry now. Mac didn't cry. I went for coffee. After school the kids were greeted by the paparazzi once again. Mac said, "I get to go back tomorrow!"Day 2 was a calmer event. A few dads, a few babysitters. After school Mac asked, "So how long do I have to do this?"By Day 3 I was already getting weary of the walk to school and the walk home. We'll do this every day for 38 weeks, I learned this morning at my very 1st PTA meeting ever ( where I won the largest introductory round of applause after announcing my status as 1982 graduate of Lincoln. An announcement that also earned me a "so young" -- much to my surprise!). Anyway, 38 weeks of walks... One down, 37 to go. I could incubate a baby in 38 weeks! (Dare I do the math to figure out how many weeks I've already done this walk...? 38 weeks x 9 years...) And so our week ended today. Mac's brand new black and white saddle shoes are only a little worse for the wear (hey, if I could not destroy mine in kindergarten, Mac can take care of his!). Mac has already brought home a form to join (and pay dues for) the PTA (which I did), a program for selling magazines as a fundraiser (not happening in this house, sorry) and just a few stories about gym class and his first music "lesson" and snack centers ("those cheese sticks that I don't like, but I ate them anyway, and yogurt covered raisins, so now I know I can eat yogurt.") He caries a backpack to tote his one folder back and forth. He looks adorably cute when he comes out and scans the crowd for my face and then breaks into smile when he finds it. He is a kindergartener! And I am the mother of a kindergartner, which makes me the luckiest mom in the world, the tired-est mom in the world, the proudest mom in the world, and yes, the saddest mom in the world. I have spent the week trying to convince myself that Mac is not "so old already" but really "still so little." It's been tough going. I've been to Starbucks a lot. School is going to be very costly. But Mac seems to really love it! Stay tuned... next week Sailor goes to his very 1st day of pre-school at the Chalkboard (Mac's alma mater!) on Tuesday (5 days before his 3rd birthday!). Wish us lots of luck for Mr. Separation-Anxiety!