Clara did. Guess who was ready for it? She was...there were huge smiles and she even jumped up and down when she saw the bus coming. I was so excited for her, too, but perhaps not as ready for the departure, the change.
But then when the bus doors closed, I let out an unexpected sob and cried. My baby is gone.
It is fine, good, it will be amazing to have the break. But after 9+ years of having a child or multiple children with me full time, this will take some adjusting to. I have a new normal.
And now I mourn the loss of my old. But look forward to the possibilities of the new.
Isn't she stinkin' adorable? Figures it was raining. It hid my tears.
awwww... your story just choked me up. I only have 1 daughter who is now in her 20's but will never ever forget the first day of kindergarten. On the lighter side, might this not free up some extra time for snapping pics :) Lovely keepsake shot !!
She is like her Mom! Full of charm and humour! I remember that feeling both with my children and with myself except I wasn't jumping up and down with excitement - more like trying to find a way not to go!
@anazad511 Thanks so much, lady. Really appreciate your kindness.
@graemestevens I've decided that I want to rock them. I don't so much. Still need a better lens and an external flash and some better camera settings know how. Love it when they come out well, though. Thank you.
It is gorgeous but also know that I'd like a better lens to get better portrait shot cravings. Kids, I think being a full time mum is not only an emotional thing but physical and mental. Mine are all over me, it's the physical thing of having cuddles, kisses, hands to hold etc etc....bags to carry, people to strap in cars.... Mental the 1001 things to think about when surrounded by them. At times when I get small breaks I'm ready to be charged up and refreshed emotionally it's the lost feeling of having less to think about and suddenly having physical space. Anyway strange ramble over. Hope you do settle down to new normal and find you enjoy it. I have settled to having radio on again when I'm alone so that it's not so quiet. I have Ucb on. Doubt you get that where you are but I like it a lot.
@newbank I'm blasting music on Spotify now. I find that I have too noisy a life, though. I need to be quiet more to think and hear. I so know what you are saying about the aspects of motherhood. It's exhausting often to me. Just emotionally draining. The quiet will be nice. I have an idea for some selfies that I want to do to represent what I am going through. Hope I can pull them off soon. Thanks, lady!!
@kwind She was stoked!!! Totally sad when her siblings went off and she still had to wait a day. She has watched them go off for years and now it's her time. Sigh...
@tremerryn Is that like you were naughty on your first day of kindergarten or broke the parking laws on your kiddos first day? thanks, my friend!
How adorable is she?! Letting go always comes with such mixed emotions. I hope you enjoyed your day alone but I'm sure you will ba happy to snuggle when she gets off the bus. Fav
Wonderful shot! I remember those days, with many emotions. We are in the process of taking one to college this week... Like a flash, has gone the time.
A new normal is never easy.....both mine left home within 3 weeks of each other and it broke my heart......it felt like my role of 23 years had been snatched away in a heartbeat, I was utterly lost for a while, but I've got used to it, gradually replaced the loneliness with more hobbies..........and then son came home........and it felt weird having him back...and I know he is going to go again one day......and I'll miss him all over again.
Enjoy 'your' time...........she will come bundling in every afternoon with all her news, it will be fab
P.S. she looks just like you ...and full of mischief :)
Oh her expression is priceless! Fav! How ironic! I just facilitated "The Kindergarten Experience" today for two groups of older adults. I do creative engagement activities for elders. Anyway, guess what? The majority of my elders today never went to kindergarten because it didn't exist in their towns. And they attended one-room schoolhouses, and some road horses to school and used pens that were dipped in ink wells. My, how times have changed!
Wow, guys...thanks so much for all of your great comments and faves on this shot. It made the PP for my first time in quite some time which gave me a big grin today (and Clara, too). And about Kindergarten...she got off the bus all smiles and said her day was FUN!! That's my girl! It will be so great!
FAVVVVVVVVVV. Super great shot. I can imagine that you were emotional!
I want to thank you for your support and great creative, almost sometimes insanely funny pics! I'm about to leave the project. I've enjoyed your comments very much and felt great in this warm 365 community.
I wish that you will be able to finally sell your great pics! I wish you all the best. Hugs :)
@amandal You needed to? I can only wish! You have 2.5 pages of pp per your ppal link. I've got a link to the PP info for mine. I have a total of 5. If not for that link, I was only aware of two. ... uh, can you detect a hint of jealousy here?
@bill_fe I've been doing this thing for 2+ years now. And I was making more of a pee pee reference with the needed to bit. I used to get a bunch...first two years. This year, it's rare. Sometimes it's frustrating when I get oodles of faves...I've had 50+ and not made PP. Don't be jealous...it's not all that. But yes, it is nice when it comes.
@newbank You know, I am really fine. It's a good change. I shopped for groceries alone yesterday and it was dreamy. 2 dates with friends this week, too. The day she left, that was sad/hard, but really all good now. LOVE to see her off the bus in the afternoon, though. Just need to find a job or some side income that I can get while they are at school now. Happy weekend!!
@amandal You too. By the way I am hosting a party at the moment. I think you need to pop by. Its for Mr Graeme Stevens. It's in the discussion thread.....hope to see you there...
Congrats on TT! I have to say -- not only is this image adorable capture of the first day of school, it reminds me SO MUCH of my own daughter's first day of kindergarten, complete with Hello Kitty! Must dig it out and send it to you. You'll be surprised how much they look alike.
Congrats Amanda on this wonderful portrait being on TT. I didn't see it earlier...I missed several this week. I love her expression, your narrative, and the whole composition. YAY!
I missed this first time round - don't know how - this is gorgeous - Clara is gorgeous and it is a blessing she is ready and looking forward to school - so deserving of TT YAY!
@annied Thank you so much, Annie. I was pretty darn excited with the shot as I wanted to capture this moment well. Never have I had a shot of my kids in TT either, so that was pretty darn cool! Really appreciate your kind words and fav!
@maggiemae Loved the silly face here. I had all these normal shots of smiles, but who wants that...so boring and regular. Thanks, Maggiemae!!
@graemestevens I've decided that I want to rock them. I don't so much. Still need a better lens and an external flash and some better camera settings know how. Love it when they come out well, though. Thank you.
@tremerryn Is that like you were naughty on your first day of kindergarten or broke the parking laws on your kiddos first day? thanks, my friend!
Enjoy 'your' time...........she will come bundling in every afternoon with all her news, it will be fab
P.S. she looks just like you ...and full of mischief :)
Wow, guys...thanks so much for all of your great comments and faves on this shot. It made the PP for my first time in quite some time which gave me a big grin today (and Clara, too). And about Kindergarten...she got off the bus all smiles and said her day was FUN!! That's my girl! It will be so great!
I want to thank you for your support and great creative, almost sometimes insanely funny pics! I'm about to leave the project. I've enjoyed your comments very much and felt great in this warm 365 community.
I wish that you will be able to finally sell your great pics! I wish you all the best. Hugs :)
@pflaume Thanks, Lisa!!!
@vignouse Wow, Richard...thank you for that. Really appreciate your great compliment and tear. It teared me up, too.
@darylo How wonderfully kind of you, Daryl. Thanks so much!!!
Really appreciate your kindness with this photo. She had a great day and I have a feeling she will love school as her mama did:).
@newbank Aw, thanks, my friend. I was super surprised.
@soboy5 Thanks, Danny...very appreciated!
@mcrt @april16 Really appreciate your kind comments. I loved the sweet face:).