NORTH TONAWANDA —
Packing lunch boxes. Pre-arranging ever-so-cute outfits. Driving to early morning drop-offs. Selling chocolate to raise funds.
The school era in the Lane household has officially started.
Penny’s first few weeks of school could not have gone better. By her first full day, she had completely adjusted to the idea of going someplace that isn’t home twice a week to be with a group of fellow preschoolers and play all day.
As for the rest of us? The adjustment’s been a bit, let’s say, more gradual.
Mommy’s heart was (and might still be) a tad shattered. Penny was so anxious to get started on her first day that she neglected farewell hugs and kisses in order to get a head start on playing with the classroom’s box of musical instruments and its clamorous contents.
Just to ensure the wound festered for a bit, Penny didn’t want to leave on the first day, either.
Rigby is happy to have a bit of extra attention lavished upon him during school days — actually, make that ecstatic beyond belief. Even so, he clearly misses big sis, even if he doesn’t completely comprehend why she’s gone (he, in fact, has learned how to say her name since school started and calls for her while pointing to her car seat when we get her at the end of the day).
Our poor little Rigger man also looks somewhat lost on school mornings, unable to understand why Mommy and Daddy are scurrying around getting Penny to go potty, get dressed and eat breakfast in such a hurried manner. So on those mornings during which I am able to respond to his daily request for some sit-down time together (he points at the couch, pats the cushion a few times and says “Me!”) I am thrilled to oblige.
As for dear ol’ dad, I’ve had to get used to the 60-minute bump-up in my morning start-up time twice a week (Mommy starts even earlier, much to her credit). We’ve both also had to adjust our nightly routines to incorporate making Penny lunch (she loves sandwiches cut into dinosaur shapes), signing necessary paperwork and otherwise ensuring a smooth morning.
On a grander scale, it’s strange to think that, for the first time, Penny’s gone and we don’t know exactly what she’s up to (we ask her every school day what she did, but her typical 3-year-old answers to our interrogation leave a few gaps in time). From the moment a child is born, you know that the strings of attachment will break away, one by one, as the years progress, but having the first one snap is startling regardless of how much preparation you have.
But, while it’s sad in some ways to set her loose, it’s equally thrilling to see her thrive. She’s still at the point where school doesn’t equate to work (when I ask her what she learned, she tells me “Nothing! I played!”), and I can only hope that her enthusiasm for school continues to sprout.
Homework assignments, pop quizzes and peer pressure will probably quash that attitude at some point, but I can dream.
In the meantime, can I interest you in a candy bar?
Family
Related Photos
-
Penny, Rigby and Paul Lane Nicole Lane for the News
Ol’ golden rule days truly are dear ... I suppose
- Family
-
-
Family ties come in time
When it comes to genealogy, all you need to do sometimes is catch a break.
-
Imagination is a wonderful — and scary — thing
Tiger, squirrel, what's the difference when you're 2?
-
The law of conservation of energy — with kids
Watching the thundering herd pass us, the father shook his head ... and called to the children:
“How can you have so much energy when I’m so tired?”
We looked at each other and laughed, each then, perhaps, seeing our future in the tired parents. To this day, eight years later, there are still moments when we look at our kids, then each other, and repeat those words. -
Parenting can be easy to say but hard to do
The parental saying is so commonly used that it’s almost become cliché: “I would do anything for my children.”
But what they don’t tell you is that, some days, it’s harder than others to fulfill that mantra. -
Ol’ golden rule days truly are dear ... I suppose
Packing lunch boxes. Pre-arranging ever-so-cute outfits. Driving to early morning drop-offs. Selling chocolate to raise funds.
The school era in the Lane household has officially started. -
The one who’s left behind
School is back in session - but not for everyone.
-
Never too young to begin total recall of life
Most research on memory indicates that children don’t begin to permanently store information until at least age 3.
But what these researchers seemingly failed to take into account is the fact that there is no fury like a toddler girl scorned. -
My sons, the comedians
One of the most interesting things about being a parent, I’ve found, is watching fledgling senses of humor develop.
-
Who knows what lurks in the hearts of big sisters?
If Rigby has taught us nothing else, it's to always be on guard.
-
Indulge your toddler’s every fantasy at Sesame Place
We know how to get to Sesame Place.
- More Family Headlines
-
Officials: Tsarnaev Friend Linked to Slaying
Obama:Sexual Assault Threatens Trust in Military
Bridge Collapse Survivor: 'Rough Day'
Jersey Shore Open for Business
Raw: Memorial Day Flags Placed at Arlington
New Wheelchair Lift Promises More Access
First Person: Mom Discusses Famous Tornado Photo
Raw Video: Washington State Bridge Collapse
Boy Scouts Approve Plan to Accept Gay Boys
Officials: Truck Hit Bridge Before Collapse
Sheriff: No Sign Killing of 2 Kids Was Planned
Obama Defends Drone Strikes, With Limits
Raw: Jurors Deadlock on Jodi Arias Penalty
Boy Scouts Decision "First Step" Say Activists
Raw: Utah Teen Arrested in Death of His Brothers
Closer Look at Okla. School Where Children Died
Two Suspects in Murder Known to London Police
"Be Ready": NOAA Warns of Busy Hurricane Season
SeaWorld: Penguins Are Coolest Thing in Florida
