first day

Yesterday it was back to school and, for Liam, the start of second grade. I could go on and on about how I can't believe my kid is already adding triple digit numbers in his head and deciphering all the big words Andrew and I spell to each other. How he has his own desk and can tie up his gym shoes and pack his own lunch. But then there's this other side of me that can believe it. The side that perceives that actual passing of time. I mean, it's been 2,661 days since he was born. In that length of time he has clearly honed his camera smile.


Liam has also seen the "girl next door" nearly every one of those days. Although they continue to end up in different classes and are cootie-bearers by virtue of their very gender, they remain comfortable and constant friends. I loved seeing them walk together on the first day of school. I am not sure Liam and Ava will ever be more than friends. Their siblings, however, are another story.


Elliott adores Mia, and that is really an understatement. He regularly throws open our windows to giddily shout and screech to her across the street. "Hi, Mia!" "Hi, Mia!" "Hi, Mia!" Walking their siblings to school was simply an excuse to hold hands.


Although this boy looks silly and fun, it's tough to get an answer out of him that isn't "yes" or "no" or "nothing." What did you do today? Nothing. Did you have art? No. What was your favorite part of the day? I don't know.

On the way to school this morning (day 2) I tried a different line of questioning. "What was the first thing you did when you walked into your classroom yesterday?" "Then what?" "Then what?" It worked! I heard about "backpack chores," where they put their lunch boxes, and the back-to-school game they played (in which he apparently named "recess" as his favorite subject).

Now I just have another 150 odd days or so this school year to pull out information. It'll go by so fast and drag on forever. I hope I never forget it.