So let's get started

Day One, Baby

Oh dear. I had no idea it had been so long since my last post, until my good buddy Sally in Florida nudged me to see why I've been uncharacteristically silent.

Well. It's like this.

Summer -- as in, the part where kids are out of school -- is winding down and we had planned for the grandchildren to come for a final few days of swimming and related merriment.

Call the roll

That took place -- and took up most of -- last week.

Included in the visit was our new tradition of shopping for school supplies, which TG and I like to buy for them.

And added to this year's list of supplies needed was Dagny's.

She started kindergarten on Monday.

Melanie and her haul

I know; right? Our Dagny, in school?

Yes. As you know, she is five, and if ever a five-year-old was more ready to start school, I would pay good money to meet said five-year-old.

As in, being bright and capable, the child needs a challenge. And, being a people-loving singleton, she craves the company of other children.

Support system

It will be good for everyone, all around, for Dagny to be occupied scholastically and socially for approximately seven hours a day, five days a week.

But all such page-turnings come with their freight of what, for lack of a better word, may be called sadness.

It's the end of babyhood; that much is certain. And although we would not want our children to remain babies, it's a source of wistfulness for parents and grandparents to realize that their littles are no longer so little.

Papaw loves Dagny

So it was that Audrey began in the late spring preparing Dagny for school, and making the necessary arrangements to begin paying for her baby's private faith-based education.

Dagny is enrolled at the same school -- a ministry of the church we attended for six years when we first moved to Columbia -- of which her Aunt Erica and Uncle Andrew are graduates.

Be true to your school

Last Thursday evening, after the children swam and we enjoyed an early dinner, no fewer than ten family members accompanied Dagny to her school for an orientation event.

(I do believe she had the largest entourage of any student there. At least, that was our aim.)

After a general informational meeting in the main auditorium, everyone peeled off to visit their classrooms.

Please be seated

We all traipsed down the hallway which houses the various kindergarten classes, to the K-5 room.

We've known Dagny's teacher for many years, so there was a happy reunion with her. She is an excellent lady and a stellar educator. A+ on that score.

We found Dagny's seat, marked with her name on zebra-striped laminated card stock, in the front row.

Mommy's girl

(A good thing, her mother remarked. Less to distract her.)

One by one we had pictures made with our angel, beaming from her tiny desk.

(It was only later that I realized we'd forgotten to get a picture of Dagny with Aunt Stephanie. But we did get a group photo with the two of them in it.)

Cousin closeness

When we'd wrung every last drop of excitement and anticipatory energy from the situation, we all emerged back into the sweltering evening and headed home.

On the way we stopped for ice cream and everything that goes along with it. Our grandson, Andrew, was in our car and as we entered the store, I reminded him to make hay while the sun shone.

As in, you're here with Papaw and he's paying, so if you want something, now's the time to speak up.

She's my angel

He requested chocolate hard shell for his ice cream, and after further consideration, picked out some marshmallow fluff for good measure. He mentioned sprinkles too but I told him we had some at home.

Andrew said he'd also like some of those little round cheeses wrapped in red paper.

Babybel? I said.

That's the one, he affirmed.

Second grade, here I come

So we secured a net pouch chock full of Babybels. Later, I asked my daughter how her boy had developed such expensive tastes in snack cheeses (usually a run-of-the-mill string cheese will do).

She said he'd been exposed to Babybel while on vacation, and that was all it took.

Turns out all the kids like Babybel. Dagny ate the last one when she stopped by to see me this evening before going home for a bath and early-to-bed.

Time to shine

I won't be replacing those. At least, not until little Andrew comes back.

Speaking of Andrews coming back ... big Andrew made it safely to Kandahar and began flying missions today. He posted a picture to Instagram of himself refueling a Fairchild Republic A-10 Thunderbolt II aircraft -- the Warthog.

He'll return home in late September.

Allissa's treasure trove

Pray for Brittany, who is being brave. Any separation is difficult. She will stay busy decorating the nursery for the baby girl due in early December.

The day after orientation at Dagny's school, TG and I took all of the children, plus their mothers, to Walmart for school supplies.

We each took a kid and their list, and trolled the aisles until every writing utensil, highlighter, dry erase marker, glue stick, pencil sharpener, eraser, notebook, pencil pouch, nap pillow, pack of loose leaf paper, block of index cards, roll of paper towels, and box of tissues had been accounted for. 

This should do for now

In addition, there were cans of Play-Doh and bags of M&M's and packs of baby wipes and sundry other items that rounded out Dagny's list of necessities.

I bought Dagny and Melanie each an inexpensive dress as well. The other children wear uniforms to school.

The backpacks were well stuffed when this buying extravaganza was concluded. Do you remember when you went to school with not much more than a notebook, a pack of paper, gummed reinforcements, and a pen and pencil, and a parental reminder not to talk without first raising your hand? Me too.

We went home and had an elaborate and tasty dinner prepared by me and consumed with gusto by everyone. Followed by more swimming and more ice cream.

My Porter People

I'm pretty sure the whole thing qualifies as epic.

The North Carolina group went home on Saturday. They start school on the twenty-eighth.

Come Monday, I got up at an hour of the day when I normally have two hours left to sleep. I dressed, applied cosmetics, brushed my hair, spritzed on some perfume, put on my rings and a pair of earrings, and was at Dagny's school twenty minutes before she had to be there.

Teacher said bring M&M's

It was a cool morning and as I stood by my car and waited, I watched parents dropping off their darlings, taking pictures to memorialize the first day of school.

At last my own darling arrived, practically squirming out of her skin, so excited was she to get the school day underway.

Dagny glowed as she held aloft her Peppa Pig lunch box, which I knew contained a delicious and nutritious midday meal packed by her mother.

Make me smart. I'm already cute.

We walked our baby to the line where she was to stand with her classmates. She fell right into place. We watched as she marched obediently with them, in single file, to the classroom.

I kept going and didn't look back to see her sitting in her desk. I might have had something in my eye.

Because wasn't it only ten or fifteen minutes ago that she looked like this?

Five days ... five years

I think so. And I think that despite it being a happy day, realizing once again how swiftly the years go, made me sad.

Time is undefeated, folks. Best not forget it.

So Audrey and I went for coffee at Krispy Kreme and we may have eaten donuts. Because how could you not?

Maybe we'll make that a tradition too.

And that is all for now.

=0=0=0=

Happy Wednesday

Comments

[Mari]

OK - now you've done it. I may or may not have something in my eye right now...
It was just yesterday that we were waiting for her arrival. She is going to thrive in school, and I love that you all surrounded her with love during orientation. She will never question if her family loves her.
Audrey looks beautiful as always, but I am sure this was hard, it always is.
I love your tradition of school shopping. Helps the parents and makes great memories! I have been doing similar things here. Our Ruby goes to Pre-K next week and Alaina starts 2nd grade...
Glad you have another baby coming! (Praying for Brittany)

[Jennifer]

@Mari ... girl I know you know how all of this feels. Ruby's going to love school too and Alaina's already a pro. What fun! xoxo

[Jane]

I hope Dagny has a wonderful year in kindergarten. It's so hard to send them off, though, no matter how many times you've been through it it never gets easier.
I love your tradition of back to school shopping with the grands.

[Donna (Texas)]

Awww!! How both exciting and sad at the same time. That last photo got me!
Enjoy it...every moment you can sweet friend. Ours are grown and gone. Maybe one day God will bless us with greatgrands, one day.
Praying for Andrew and Brittany. Separation is hard but down right awful during pregnancy!
I hate war...I want them all to come home. I know, I know...we have to defend what little progress we've made but...on and on it goes.
hughugs

[sally]

Oh my goodness, that makes 3 of us who may have something in our eyes. Goodness, Dagny! How cute and sweet she is, and I simply cannot believe she's in kindergarten. Our Jase started also, and he was just as excited as your little precious girl. Here, the first week in the beginning they have Monday, and not again until Friday I suppose to acclimate them for the real deal.

Your family, Jenny, are such a blessing to you and TG. It's' wonderful to see and hear about. A beautiful thing! The love y'all have; It's not always like it in other families which is very sad.

As time goes on, I feel so blessed also. We've loved and lost but knowing we 'll all be back together someday is heartwarming, to say the least. My remaining sibling, 11 years younger, is there for any little thing he can do for us. My heart is full.

I love the photo's of you all being there for Dagny, and the other grand's with their school supplies. Beautiful!

xoxo

[Jennifer]

@Jane ... thank you and you are so right: change and transition bring a sting, no matter how well prepared we strive to be. But ... so many good things to come! xoxo

@Donna ... I hate war, too. I hear you. And you and Larry are closer than ever to holding a great-grandbaby in your arms! Closing in on that lovely wedding day for Sam, at the same time we welcome our new granddaughter. It's exciting. xoxo

@Sally ... Jase started kindergarten too? I'll be over to your blog later to check out all the news. Dagny was worn out the first day, but each day at school she's taken to it more and more. Basically she loves it. It's very hot here, so recess is difficult but she adores being outside and having children her own age to play with is, as the kids say, FIRE, haaaha! Last night Papaw took her to Freddy's after church, to give Audrey a break and to talk to Dag about her school experiences over a dirt n' worms concrete. He learned that she's almost mastered writing her name (to be truthful she could almost write it already; she signed a note to me only last week) and her favorite subject is recess -- despite triple-digit heat indexes!!! I think she likes lunchtime too. I hope that Jase, Hunter, and Rylan all have a great year. xoxo

[Sydney]

Ah September... (or in the current times, August). It seems to be more of a time marker than New Years Day! It absolutely seems like she just entered the world! Swoosh, it's gone! I'll keep that mind with my little grands... Fun times ahead though as you know!

[Jennifer]

@Sydney ... yep, "baby" Henry will be needing a backpack full of supplies before you can turn around twice. Dagny has entered into scholastic life with such zeal that her mother reports she no longer even looks back when she gets out of the car and walks towards the building each morning. Haaahaha *sniff sniff* xoxo

[Cheryl]

Dagny will have a great year. Little social butterflies always do. You and TG are wonderful grandparents. I talked to my friend in Orlando last night. She said that it cost her $800 to get her grandchildren ready for school this year. It takes a lot of money these days to send kids to school.
All your grandchildren are so beautiful and happy and excited. Hope they all have a great year.

[Jennifer]

@Cheryl ... thank you, my friend ... as to TG and me being wonderful grandparents ... as they say, it takes one to know one, haaahaa! But yes; it can be expensive. xoxo

[Barb]

Bittersweet for sure. I seem to have gotten a little something in my eye, too. Being a former teacher, I enjoy this back to school excitement. I'm wondering though about Dagny's large bag of M&M's which she's guarding carefully. Could she have slipped that item into her school necessities? I can't remember them being a part of the notebook, pencil, hand sanitizer list. She'll do great in Kindergarten - with her family behind her, how can she not? I'm thinking of Big Andrew daily now until he returns safely to Brittany and the rest of your family in September. I thank him for his service and pray for his safety.

[Jennifer]

@Barb ... haaahaha eagle eye, yes she had a bag of M&M's the size of her head. Turns out that, during that orientation event, the teacher had written the names of items on cut-out leaf shapes and had pinned them to the bulletin board. Parents were encouraged to take one and buy the item for the class. I thought M&M's were the most fun thing up there so I picked that one! I think it involves rewards of some sort. Works for me. Thanks for your prayers for our Andrew. He is doing well so far and sends amazing pictures and video. I'll share a few with you via email so Bob can see them! xoxo