We Used to SING “The Wheels on the Bus”

Today was a big day for the Fergie household.  Not only was Chatterbox entering First Grade, but she was going to…TAKE.THE.SCHOOLBUS.  There is just something so drastic about putting your first-born on the bus for the first time; maybe it’s the lack of control you have, or the degree of independence that your baby shows in marching up those steps without looking back; but this year, the first day of school was different.

We woke up an hour earlier than usual – this will be our new routine – and she got dressed in lightning speed in her new school outfit and sparkly shoes. She barely touched her breakfast for the anticipation of getting to the bus stop on time.  Armed with her new purple hearts backpack and her bus route sticker pasted to her chest, she marched out the front door without an ounce of trepidation.

I, on the other hand, was a Nervous Nelly, and mostly in disbelief at how fast these past 6 years have flown.  All 5 of us went to the bus stop, took loads of photos (much to Chatterbox’s dismay) and waited impatiently.  We met other families and students and, finally, the bus pulled up. She gave me a hug and a kiss and ran off to get in line, boarding the bus not even noticing Hubby saying: “Hey! You didn’t give me a hug or a kiss!” And off she went.

As the bus pulled off Hubby said: “That’s it! Next stop, 12th Grade.”

And that’s when my eyes welled up.

This post was inspired by the Yahoo! Motherboard (I’m a member!).  For tons of Back-to-School Bargains, Recipes, Activities and More, visit the Yahoo! Back to School site.