Tearful firsts

Captain Bairdo on his first day of School!The morning my son began school heralded all things associated with it: fall, excitement, fear, fun and adventure. I mad him a pencil can before he woke up and started crying. I had to take deep cleansing breaths just to get through breakfast. He dressed himself in shorts and then asked for a coat. I dressed Rivulet, who also required a coat. While putting on his "super shoes," I quizzed him on all the important information:

"Who do you go home with?"

"Only Mom!"

"Do you take anything from strangers?"

"Neva!" (Never.)

And so went our exchange. We even picked a password. I scrambled to get all his paperwork and donations for snacks and all that . . .All in all, I was in such a flutter I nearly forgot to snap his first school morning picture! I had to unlock the house and fetch the camera while Rivulet waited in the stroller.

All my worries were for naught, however. For once we got to the school, he was truly his Captain Bairdo persona. He fearlessly went straight to his classroom, hung up his back pack, got out his things and sat down in his seat (being able to read his desk tag!)

He waved at me and yelled, "I love you mom!" He seemed ready to move on.

So I turned to stroll Rivulet back out into the September chill.

And I could hear him behind me, excitedly telling another student, "I'm going to learn how to read!" What mother could be prouder?

He never looked back, though I did. Rivulet didn't cry. But I did.

Speaking of firsts, Yesterday we bought and built Rivulet a "big girl bed." This is her sleeping in it. Like the cottage lamp? It's mine. My mom bought it for me when I was fourteen. And now: Peace like a River.