emily weiss photography blog

I think Cal was ready to be back with other kids…hanging out with mom gets old real fast. After school in the car, Cal opens his “Welcome to First Grade” gift bag. His gift bag was filled with little things along with this note:

The Items in your back-to-school-bag have special meanings!

The Chocolate Kiss is to remind you that everyone needs a nice treat sometimes.

The sticker is to remind you that we all stick together and help each other.

The star is to remind you to shine and always try your best.

The tissue is to remind you to help dry someones tears.

The bandage is to remind you to heal hurt feelings in your friends and in yourself.

The eraser is to remind you that everyone makes mistakes and that is OK.

The Life Saver is to remind you that if you need someone to talk to, you can come to us.

So I am reading this little list and getting a tad verclempt and teary because it is the first day and all. And this note is so sweet and thoughtful; bringing these lessons down to the level that 6 and 7 year old’s can understand. But really they are appropriate for all of us regardless of your age. So I am thinking about how sweet this moment is, how much I love this school, how perfect this school is for Cal, and how glad I am that the first day went so well.

Then the squabbling begins.

They squabbled over who got to eat the chocolate kiss, even though Cal hates chocolate. Then Cal promptly puts the bandage on his forehead and the sticker on the car window. The tissue is crumpled on the floor of the car, the uneaten chocolate kiss melts into a puddle on the seat. The star is nowhere to be found. The life saver is inhaled. So much for meanings.

Time for ice cream.