On October 5, my countdown began: 30 days until my 30th birthday. In honor of this, on each of the 30 days leading up to my birthday I will recount one memory from the past 30 years… either one that has helped define me, one that makes me laugh, one that makes me think, one that encourages me… or maybe a little of everything. If possible, I will post a photo to go along with the memory.
It’s my 30/30/30 Project: 30 years. 30 memories. 30 days.
Here is my memory for Day #5:
I don’t remember everything about my first day of Kindergarten, but I do remember some important details. As for the other parts of that day, well, there are photos to help fill in the blanks.
I was probably looking forward to Kindergarten because I looked up to Audrey in every way and she was going to be a big second-grader at the same school. I suspect we were both excited about being in school together, and the way we’re holding hands in this picture tells me I’m right. Audrey has always been my “second mom,” taking care of me and protecting me in any situation.
I love that we had matching haircuts and matching backpacks, and that we wore matching outfits (blue stripes for Audrey, pink for me), right down to the blinding white socks and Velcro sneakers, which look like they weren’t so much as breathed on until the First Day of School morning.
I don’t remember this photo being taken, but I know it had to be been taken by Mom. Audrey and I rode the bus to school that morning, and Mom followed the bus in her car. I do remember sitting at the back of the bus and waving to Mom behind us. I think she wanted me to experience the bus ride that would become an everyday thing for me, but she still wanted to be outside of the school with us and photograph us as we walked in.
That’s where this photo was taken – on the front lawn right outside of the school.
Again, I don’t remember all the specifics, but I’m sure I was both nervous and excited that morning. I am sure Mom remembers more than I do, and I wonder if she cried as she drove away, knowing that her baby, the last of her 4 children, had just started school.
And now, I wonder if she can believe that her baby started school 25 years ago.
I can’t believe that much time has passed… in the blink of an eye. And no, actually, I didn’t cry while following the bus that day because YOU and AUDREY were SO excited that it was totally contagious! You were all smiles and happiness and awe… and Audrey was all smiles and happiness and awe to have you with her! Great memory, Janie… and I still remember those little Osh Gosh jumpers! Those were wonderful days for Daddy and me… and each day since just gets better and better! I love you, Honey! xoxox! Mom
Ahem… I believe that I was also there that day. Unless Mom reads this and tells me that I wasn’t. And if that’s the case and I actually wasn’t…well then let’s just say that I wanted to be there . Let’s hope I’m right and I was there.
OMG, I love it… so cute!!!!!
I LOVE this post… I so hope that my two girls look back and have memories just like you have with Audrey, Jane. I adore that picture of the two of you together!
First I have to say that I cannot get over how much William looks like Audrey in this picture! Wowzers!!
I totally love the matching outfits. I had my girls in the pink overall osh kosh jumpers. Too cute!
I’m loving these 30 days of memories.
That’s an adorable photo Jane and you really do look happy to be starting school. Good ol Osh Kosh B’gosh! I’m sure a lot of the happiness came from having your big sister to hold your hand and to guide you. Very sweet and looking forward to more memories 🙂
Loving the outfits. And it seems so funny for me to see Audrey looking so much older and taller than you! Somehow when you meet people as adults you don’t think of someone being the big or little sister. xo colleen