The One with a lot of tears...

I can't even begin to describe what tomorrow will be like. I can't begin to fathom that my little guy is headed to 1st grade. He is off to meet new kids and stand in a lunch line. He is going to have recess and homework and a heavy backpack. I truly can't believe he is 6 years old. People tell you when you have a baby not to blink because before you know it you are handing over car keys and sending your baby to college or helping them get ready for their own wedding. No one tells you that it's going to feel like a knife in your heart when that baby walks into the elementary school and looks back with a little wave(Oh.My.Gosh. What if he DOESN'T turn around and do the little wave...!?!) It feels like a knife in your heart that you have to smile through because it's such a great thing that your kiddo is off to school and is healthy and happy to be going and that we live in a country where there is an education system for the benefit of future generations! Trying to keep myself in check here! But, it's not like it hurts to watch them walk into their school, it's more like it's so amazing and beautiful and innocent that you can't breathe because they are doing it WITHOUT you! They are big enough to walk into school and stand in the school lunch line and take spelling tests and read to their class. They are big enough to remember to bring their homework home and big enough to tell you that they did "nothing" at school all day. Then you remember about the day that they were born and the first time they slept through the night. You remember the first words and the little wobbly first steps they took while smiling bigger than ever! Now, those "first steps" out of the car and onto the sidewalk leading into the school don't seem so wobbly. They seem secure and strong and ready to take on 1st grade!! They seem prepared. Then, you remember all the lessons you taught them to get them to this point and the trials and time outs and sleepless nights wondering if you were too hard on them. I can't believe that age 12 is going to come as quickly as age 6 came. This little boy who has become my whole world is going to spend 5 days a week without me, acting like a big shot and probably getting into some trouble along the way. But one thing is for sure. Tomorrow is going to be a big celebration night! Not only is Joey proud to be headed to 1st grade tomorrow, I am proud of him and I know he is going to have an amazing year! AND- for the record I will be enjoying some of those days to myself, I know. It just might take a week to get used to the quiet. Here's my favorite from his "Back to School" shoot today. He was a trooper!