Friday, September 02, 2011
big day
today is a big day. all my kids are in school, all day, for the first. time. ever. (insert big sigh here.) i'm on my own during the day for the first time in 11 years. (11 years!!!) back when all 3 were underfoot all day long, i remember dreaming about this day. often! now that it's here, it sure is bittersweet.
my boys were ok with starting school, but not particularly excited, or so they say. my daughter, on the other hand, was bursting with excitement. that helped, but i still can't help but feel a little sad at this milestone. thankfully, i have plenty of quilting (and housework-oh my!) to keep me busy. who knows, next week i may be doing cartwheels. :) or maybe i'll finally catch up on some of my WIPs. wouldn't that be nice?! i guess it's good to keep dreaming.....
Bittersweet for sure Amanda Jean! Now their time at home will be even more special! Have a great weekend.
ReplyDeleteBittersweet is a good way to describe it. I have a few years before then but I'm still kind of sad when my oldest three go to school. Happy-sad. :-)
ReplyDeleteHello Amandajean,
ReplyDeleteyour best time begins. It is so great to be alone in the morninghours. 2 hours vor homework and cooking and the rest time for you. Your children are very sweet on the picture.
Have a nice day!
(Excuse my english, english in school is long time ago :-))
Liebe Grüße
Kerstin
I'm a homeschooling mom, but I have to admit...I sometimes wonder how much quilting I could get done if my children went off to school! I guess I'll just have to wait til they've all graduated...but it will be a while, my youngest is just two, lol.
ReplyDeleteLove your blog!
Oh such cute kiddos. Sad but sweet on the other hand, for sewing time. Have a fun day.
ReplyDeleteGreat picture. I'm sure you'll get lots more done. I find myself with tons of time now. We took my one and only child off to college last week.
ReplyDeleteEnjoy the holiday.
Look at those cutie pies!! It is a bittersweet time. It seems like yesterday when my little girl was going off to kindergarten, now she is in her 3rd year of college. sigh.
ReplyDeleteSo cute! I made my whining kids pose for first day of school photos even into high school, and while they whined then, they like to look and remember the photos now. It is bittersweet, and the years go by way too fast! Enjoy your sewing time!
ReplyDeleteAhhhh. I remember that so well. My babies are 34 and 24 now. *sigh* Oh, to have just one of those days back to relive. Enjoy!
ReplyDeleteDeborah
My oldest starts grade one next week and I can see that it's going to take a while to get used to just having my three-year-old all day.
ReplyDeleteAt least you'll have more quilting time!
I hated going back to school but excited when school ended for the summer, lol. I was excited about going to the 'big' school at 11.
ReplyDeleteYay for freedom! Enjoy it while it lasts. Did you ever see the movie, "Please Don't Eat the Daisies" with Doris Day and David Niven? He said that those hours when children were in school were a parent's right, or something to that effect. Funny.
ReplyDeleteDarling kids! My oldest two are off the school this year and I am loving it! I still have the younger two at home but can't wait until they are all in school like yours. I enjoy them more when they are gone for part of the day.
ReplyDeleteYes it is bittersweet when the last little one is off to school. And now the time will fly by. My baby is 39.Only seems like yesterday she started school.
ReplyDeleteEnjoy doing your Stitching.Not housework.
What a cute little bunch you have! I am dreading this particular day, but I have 5 years to go til it happens. lol And I will be one year shy of your 11 years! Time flys...Enjoy your new found freedom! :)
ReplyDeletei'm in the same boat... this will be the first year that all my 3 are in school too! i'm not quite sure what i'm going to do with myself...
ReplyDeleteYay for you!!!! I have 2 yrs...and counting! :)
ReplyDeleteLook at those shiny new sneakers and happy faces. Congrats
ReplyDeleteOn the walk home after taking my baby to kindergarten I shed a few tears -- but that sure didn't last long! Enjoy your free time (relatively free, that is, there is all that housework!).
ReplyDeleteIt is always a great day when freedom is back ... 8-))
ReplyDeleteI feel the same as I get ready to take our older daughter to her first year of college in a few weeks. I'm so excited for her - all the new experiences and challenges. But...
ReplyDeleteAww what a great picture of those three! You've worked hard for this, but yes mixed feelings. I can't imagine what you will accomplish now...:) you'll be like a whirl wind!
ReplyDeleteIt is a big day for you and for the kids!
ReplyDeleteMy daughter was excited about the first day, too...but my son...hmmm..not so much..so I think kids are the same everywhere :o)!
Have a nice weekend!
Oh, I forgot : I love the photo!!!
ReplyDeleteThe kids look so funny and lovely!!!
You can tell she's bursting! What a great photo...
ReplyDeleteAw... I bet is it bittersweet. Mine are 5th and 3rd, so I've enjoyed it for a bit now. Crazy thing is... I used to freak if I had one hour to myself... but somehow, 3:00 gets here SO FAST! I try and stop no matter what and sit down with a sewing project the last 30 minutes each day... some days I sew for (whisper) 3 hours, although rarely. Take some of that time for yourself and enjoy the quiet!
ReplyDeleteOh, sad. :(
ReplyDeletesuch darling kids!
ReplyDeleteI am in the same boat as you are!! I know I shouldn't feel this excited to have kids gone.....now if I could get my sewing machine to work!
ReplyDeleteI am using a Juki tl98q, I know that you use a juki, do you have much problems with yours?
They look adorable! Zack grew so much!
ReplyDeletePrecious children....
ReplyDeleteGod's greatest gift, to be sure!
Your children are adorable! I know you'll make great use of your 'found' time now that the kids are all in school. The quiet does take some getting use to, though. :-)
ReplyDeleteMy baby starts kindergarten on the 7th and I'll have a whole hour to myself. I just might get back to the gym. It sure is a fun milestone and I definitely agree with the bittersweet.
ReplyDeleteIt is a big milestone, full of excitement for the kids and a little quiet for you. In the mornings after they all leave I'm grateful for the peace but by the afternoon, I'm missing them, odd isn't it? After this semester I'll only have one left in high school and the others in college, I'm at the opposite end of it from you.
ReplyDeleteWow. I look forward to/dread this day in my family's life.
ReplyDeleteThey are adorable.
Anna
So adorable and sharp looking !
ReplyDeleteOh, my, goodness! Seems like just yesterday we were at your little house in Foley and Z was just a baby. Give them all hugs from me. Hope your adjustment to this new normal goes well.
ReplyDeleteAhh the freedom is wonderful. But on the other hand I wander around for a couple weeks sorta lost without my bratt crue. Then it seems like about mid-year I have no idea where the day went. Enjoy your time with and without your young'uns. It is a great oppertunity for growth for everybody.
ReplyDeleteWith an almost 4yr old and a 7mth old, I dream away. I've got a long way to go! :)
ReplyDeleteThe kids look so happy and nice all dressed up for school. These will be happy memories in a few years.
ReplyDeleteHave fun and enjoy your time. That end of school bell comes along quickly and your little cuties will be home with lots of stories.
ReplyDeleteThis is the time to start volunteering at your childs school. Elementary schools usually have a great need for parents to help in so many ways; from reading to children, to cutting and pasting and laminating to....all sorts of things. If you feel inclined, call the principal at your childs school.I promise you that you won't regret it, and neither will the kids that you impact :)
ReplyDeleteMy aunt had 4 boys, all quite close together. I once asked her if she was sad when the youngest finally started school all day.
ReplyDeleteShe looked at my like I was crazy and said: "Sad? I went out with a few friends and we had highballs for lunch to celebrate!"
Awww, look at those little cuties -- all excited with the promise of a new year. May it be a great one -- for all of you!
ReplyDeleteYour children are adorable Amanda and it's going to be quiet. When you go on a lunch date with your husband you will keep checking the back seat...lol I remember the first thing I did was have an "uninterrupted" bath haha
ReplyDeleteCan they seriously be any cuter? I hope they have a great year in school (and I hope you enjoy some AJ time). Thanks for sharing the special moment with all of us.
ReplyDeleteI love the squeaky clean tennis shoes! Congrats on your few hours. I'm sure you will enjoy it soon.
ReplyDeleteWow, big day!!
ReplyDeleteMy preschoolers start up next week, but of course now I've got the baby at home. Heh. And the big kids only go for mornings. Still, the little one takes a morning nap, so it's a nice break.
Such a cute picture! Very sweet smiles :-)
ReplyDeleteENJOY!!!!
ReplyDeletethe kiddos are so cute! Charlotte was bouncing off the walls with excitement for kindergarten! Someone in her class told her they thought school was "boring" and she just could not believe someone said that!! Enjoy your time. I'm sure you will put it to good use!
ReplyDeleteMilestone indeed! Congratulations and it will take a little time to get used to but then you will enjoy this new chapter in your life! Bittersweet as well! I understand!
ReplyDeleteAnother big milestone!! It all goes so fast. They are all adorable!
ReplyDeletehahha... i always celebrate by going and having a "special breakfast" with bloody mary's with all my girlfriends on that day!
ReplyDeletewe're always just so happy! LOL
X, H
OMG! That looks just like my three! Boy11, Boy8, Girl5. Same here - I get 3 hrs a day for the FIRST TIME in nearly 12 years. lol yeah it was bittersweet. I did not sew or blog hop or clean. I sat down and played piano for the first time in years from my old grade three books ; ) It was good, good therapy.
ReplyDelete: )
~Monika
sewing in Saskatoon
Indeed, bittersweet. My only went off to first grade this year. Because he is an only, each milestone is that much sweeter, that much harder to see pass.
ReplyDeleteThis WAS a big day at your house! Love to see those excited faces. Say hi to the gang for me. Hope you can manage to keep yourself occupied on your own! ;-)
ReplyDeleteI found the first year a hard one, especially with the baby, but it is exciting for her and after 11 years!!! you need some time to yourself by gosh! enjoy.
ReplyDeleteI understand completely! I am in the exact same boat (my oldest is 11, middle is 8 and the baby is 5 & just started K!). It's been quite an adjustment around here, that's for sure! Have fun getting those WIP's finished up! SMiles~Beth
ReplyDeleteHola ! felicidades por tu maravillosa familia, y disfruta de tu tiempo de libertat y tranquilidad. un beso desde Barcelona. Reyes. TERAPIA DE PUNTO DE CRUZ.
ReplyDeleteMonday would have been that day for me too, but expecting another I know I'll be going through it again in another few years. Still sad though, sort of the end of an era...
ReplyDeleteI know about that bittersweet feeling...my oldest just started kindergarten last week. I still have two others at home. Sometimes I dream of that day when everyone goes to school; other days I think about having another baby!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
ReplyDeleteps. I saw someone's quilt from your 36 patch quilt along and it looked awesome! I wish I had joined up...maybe next time.
ReplyDeleteYou should be doing the Happy Dance all the say to the sewing machine! I bet you'll be doing it next week when you finally get used to being alone! Awesome!
ReplyDeleteIt's great to see our kids grow up and experience new things, but again, it's hard to see them grow up and not be our little teenies anymore. I expect big(ger) quilting things from you this year -- big finishes. And then you can expect that from me next year when my youngest goes. ;) What a bunch of cuties!
ReplyDelete: ) That will be me on Tuesday...but it's been 13 years with kids at home. It will be interesting to see if I actually get working on all those unfinished projects right away.
ReplyDeleteGood luck with your new daily schedule (or lack thereof)
And for the first time in 21 years, I did not drive a child to school on the first day as my youngest is now 16 with a drivers license. My four amazing children are now in high school and college, and yet I know they will always need me and I them. It is a bittersweet day for me as well....enjoy those few alone hours, Amanda Jean!!
ReplyDeleteHang on...because in a blink, they will be heading off to college!!! (no kidding...it seems that fast!)
ReplyDeleteCute.cute.picture. I still take the "first day" shot as they head off to school.
Such cute people! I wish I would look that good for my first day of school!
ReplyDeletethat first day is SO QUIET. DH and I were sitting at the table at noon and it was lonely. But, we got over it!!
ReplyDeleteIt is wonderful to see your kids grow up. When my two were both in school I found that I spent all my time assisting at the school. I can clearly remember making a huge sports day banner for the Lions House. It had a huge applique lion on it and took weeks to make.
ReplyDeleteEnjoy your new found *time*!! My oldest daughter starts school this week but I will still have one at home. I'm a little sad to let her go, but also sort of happy to not have to act as referee all day long anymore! ;)
ReplyDeleteA cute picture of your kids to treasure when they get older. Who says there is really spare time, my four are now in their late 30's and 40's, grandkids came into the picture, grandma is into babsitting. I find we are busier now than ever before....who says retirement is boring? No way! I think you are a super whiz at making beautiful quilts, AmandaJean. Send some of your energy down my way, I'm older and slower, but I still love my quilting. Yes, the years go by fast, too quickly. Cynthia
ReplyDeletewhat a super sweet picture, Amanda. i just want to give each of them a big squeeze.
ReplyDeletegood luck with that WIP idea. let me know if it works out for you :)
It's always hard sending the last one off to school. you will learn to love your free days. remember to take time for yourself!
ReplyDeleteWow! Big change, huh? Congratulations to the littlest one! Hope the change brings many positive things to you all.
ReplyDeleteOh, my....is that even possible??? I can not believe it that A is old enough for all day school! Enjoy your quiet house!! Miss you my friend!
ReplyDeleteAs I e-mailed you this morning, I wondered if your little girl would be in school this year. I can't believe all your kids are in school now - it seems like you were just posting photos of skirts you'd made for your baby girl. I hope they're enjoying being back and that you're finding some satisfaction in having some time to yourself. More time for the craft room!
ReplyDeleteCongrats, you've earned it! Teresa K.
ReplyDeleteI only have one, so it all happened at once for me. But it's nice, too. 3:00 rolls around pretty fast! LOL. Your time with them is more fun when they're not there all the time. I'm actually sad for E to go back to school. I like the flexibility of being able to pick up and go with her. But, she is so excited for it to start tomorrow, and she needs it to keep more busy! I'm way too boring.
ReplyDeleteI cried through most of this day in my life...felt so sad and empty. Then I learned to fill in my time with other meaningful things. Today, I love when my high schoolers are back in school!
ReplyDeleteIt is a bittersweet time. Enjoy your new routine!
ReplyDeleteI am sure it is bittersweet! I know you will find plenty to do to fill up your time. I hope you enjoy it! They look so cute as they are ready to set off to school, and your daughter looks so excited.
ReplyDeleteNo. All three of your babies are now in school????!!! Yikes, the time sure flies. I know you'll be keeping yourself busy, but I bet it will be strange to be on your own during school hours.
ReplyDeleteAmanda, I choose this post to comment cause your family is just like mine, and I still can't have the day for my own yet, but I still hope this day will come... I just like to say that I love your blog and want to learn to quilt like you, one day I will, but I have to be patient :(
ReplyDeleteSending you the warmest regards from Brazil, thanks for all the inspiration you give.