Monday, September 3, 2012

Back to School

Stasha's ringing the bell and sending us back to school with this week's edition of Monday Listicles. My crew heads back to school tomorrow and I'm more than a little nervous for them. First days can be traumatizing-especially if you are the new kid and don't know a soul.


1. I had a horrific headache (migraines as the years passed) and puked every single first day of school except my senior year.

2. Mom ALWAYS took us to Baskin Robbins on the first day and the last day of school. We didn't have Baskin Robbins nearby but we carry on the tradition and always go out for ice cream.

3. I LOVED going back to school clothes shopping. My parents gave us a clothing allowance  and I remember it being  $100 which was ENORMOUS in my mind. We could spend it however we chose--spending it all on one pair of shoes or bargain shopping for an entire wardrobe. I always budgeted to buy a few things at the Izod outlet store when we visited family in upstate New York.

Image from Couture Allure

4. Picking out a new lunch box was a highlight for me. We only got a new one every couple of years. Holly Hobbie was one of my favorites until I RUINED it by leaving a banana inside, hiding it in my closet and claiming I lost it. I didn't like bananas but was afraid to throw it away because my mom knew EVERYONE at school and I was sure the lunch ladies would tell on me and I'd get in trouble. The mystery of the missing lunch box was eventually solved. I didn't get in trouble for not eating the banana but I did get in trouble for not telling the truth. I had to carry my rusted out, banana scented lunch box for the rest of the year.


5. I was a VERY picky eater as a child. I remember eating a Kraft cheese single and an apple every single day for a VERY long time.

6. The summer before seventh grade we moved across country.
It was not what I expected. I never mastered the art of opening my locker but luckily the girl above me was always willing to help. She's been a pre-k teacher for twenty years in the same school district.

7. Last August was the first time in many, many years that I wasn't bustling around setting up my classroom and it was a bit depressing. I was wallowing in uncertainty.This year I'm not setting up a classroom and it's exciting. I have a new job I love which will allow me to volunteer more consistently at my children's school. 

8.When Einstein and Peanut started kindergarten I was thrilled to celebrate another milestone and not at all sad. Now that I'm sending my last baby to kindergarten tomorrow I wonder if I will feel the same?

9. We have no one locally to list as an emergency contact on all the school forms and that makes me sad.

10. In fifth grade my bff and I started a women's liberation movement. Perhaps some would argue that KPW (Kentucky Pioneer Women) was more of a history club whose main purpose was planning our pioneer sleepover.


20 comments:

Katie E said...

I don't have anyone local on the contact list either - always makes me a little sad.
I always started the school year with an allergy attack - still do!

Stacie @ Snaps and Bits said...

Oh I hear you on the contact but you'll have that next year! Your banana story cracks me up :)

Unknown said...

I don't have anyone local either. That one really bothered me when I read it. It reminded me of my own aloneness.

That was a cute lunch box even if it smelled a little funny!

I remember izod too!

I am glad you have a new job that you love. How awesome is that?

Jackie said...

Good luck tomorrow with the last one off to K! There is something bittersweet about no longer setting up your own classroom, right? Someday I might get back there...someday.

LA Botchar said...

We've started a back to school tradition of heading to the Dairy Queen for ice cream too. (in Canada, most Diary Queens close around the end of summer.) We also have a big bonfire and some smores with other families - which is kind of how you start the summer too. I still have one that won't start JK until next year, so I won't be too lonely at all while the older two are gone.

@dkotucker said...

Holly Hobbie...oh how I loved Holly Hobbie. *heavy sigh*

J2 was a "particular" eater too. He took ham in a bun (no condiments) his entire time in elementary school.

Wow...StinkBug is heading to Kindergarten! Have fun going for ice cream! What a great tradition. :D

The Preppy Girl in Pink said...

I actually had that Holly Hobbie lunchbox! You just made my day!!!
Hope the kids all have a great first day and that you survive as StinkBug heads off to kindergarten. The baby was the hardest for me to let get on that bus.

Sisterhood of the Sensible Moms said...

I had the exact same lunch box. I love that you were a Women's Libber swayback when. Erin

Stasha said...

Whatever the reason behind it PKW sounds awesome!!i never imagined you as a worrier...

Lisa Nolan said...

I loved Hollie Hobby! But I can't remember if I even had a lunchbox! If I did it would have had a Snoopy on it! I always looked forward to school starting... summer was not my favorite time of year! I lived in San Francisco and it was ALWAYS foggy durning the summer! And we weren't campers, my mom never even owned a car!

Robbie K said...

It just makes me miss our old neighborhood so much more.

Robbie K said...

While I still eat bananas I despise all things banana flavored and I didn't make the connection until I wrote this list.

Robbie K said...

Aloneness stinks doesn't it?

I have met a few ppl but we aren't at that point in the relationship where I can say "hey will you be my kid's emergency contact?"

Robbie K said...

It is bittersweet not setting up my classroom. Last year I was at a total loss but now it's all good. I miss the classroom some days but love the flexibility I have now.

Robbie K said...

Bonfire and smores sound like a fantastic idea!!

Robbie K said...

Holly Hobbie rocked didn't she?

I was anti condiment until I was in my late teens so I can relate to J2.

Robbie K said...

We were lunch box twins!!!

Did you ever have a blue Charlie's Angels one?

It does seem that the baby is the hardest to push out the door.

Robbie K said...

We MUST form a Holly Hobbie lunchbox club!

KPW (Kentucky Pioneer Women) as all about giving equal credit to females in history. We were also planning a sleepover/convention.

Robbie K said...

As a kid I was painfully, painfully shy and worried about how ppl viewed me.

Robbie K said...

Aww I loved Snoopy too! The fog would definitely start to wear on me but growing up in San Francisco would have been worth it.