After a long summer break, Allana returned to school today. My big first grader seemed to grow up overnight. Excitedly, she gulped down her breakfast and dressed for the day in record speed leaving plenty of time to take pictures of her first day of school. She proudly posed with all her new school gear, especially fond of her Scooby Doo and the Mystery Machine lunch box.
To familiarize her with the routine, Allana rode the bus this morning. Emmalynn and I left a few minutes later to meet Allana at school and walk her to class, but to our disappointment, we were too late. With all the back to school congestion, we were stuck in traffic and as a result, we missed our opportunity to escort Allana to her new classroom. Although I was upset, Allana didn’t seem the least bit concerned. By the time we arrived at her classroom, she had already settled in nicely. It seems I may have been more upset than she.
Emmalynn and I wished Allana a good day and left to meet some friends for a Boo Hoo Breakfast. Despite the name, the moms were pretty cheerful to kid-free or a child or two less. Even though I had one less child in tow, Emmalynn has enough energy for two or even three and would not allow me to sit long enough to enjoy my meal or the company.
When Allana returned home, she didn’t have much to share about her day, except that her Scooby Doo lunch box was not well received by the other girls in her class. Apparently, at lunch time, another girl made fun of her lunch box because it is not your typical girl lunch box. At that moment, I realized Allana has misplaced her lunch box. The scene from Nineteen Minutes immediately popped into my head and I wonder if Allana is being tortured by a bully. Did Allana deliberately lose her lunch box because of this mean girl? I explained to Allana that girls can like Scooby Doo and it shouldn’t matter what anyone thinks, but I know she is really hurt by it all. Why do kids have to be so mean? 
With Tropical Storm Fay heading our way, school has been canceled for tomorrow and I can enjoy one more day at home with both my girls. Although Fay will bring a gray and gloomy day, my beautiful Allana will only be showered in sunshine to fill her with love and remind her how truly wonderful she is.
10 Comments
August 19, 2008 at 2:52 am
Love the pics-what sweet girls! I am suffering from back to school blues X 2. My oldest son moved into the dorms yesterday and I was soooo upset. Thanks to my surgery, I couldn’t go for a run to get rid of the empty feeling inside. In just a week I will be back to school myself-I am a reading specialist in the Richmond, Virginia area. Don’t you just love summer!
August 19, 2008 at 12:17 pm
Sweet Allana – Seriously – kids are SO rude. I never made fun of people in school and seemed to do just fine having tons of friends and running in the “right” circle. No need to be so cruel.. Parenets, teach you children right!
August 19, 2008 at 4:21 pm
Poor Allana. Is it the same girl that picked on her last year? It’s hard for them to be as confident at school as they are at home. Even Jared is shy at school.
August 19, 2008 at 6:27 pm
She’s so cute! By the way, you’ve got an award! Check it out here…
http://happilyeverafterland.typepad.com/happilyeverafterland/2008/08/you-like-me-you.html
August 19, 2008 at 7:34 pm
awwww…the poor thing! kids can be so mean!
August 19, 2008 at 8:07 pm
Thanks to each of you for your kind words. Allana spirits seem to be much better today. Hopefully, tomorrow will bring a new friend and happier day for her.
August 19, 2008 at 8:23 pm
I can’t even imagine someone picking on our sweet confident Allana. I am hoping tomorrow will be better for her. I will be sending out postive thoughts for her and willing her a new friend that loves Scooby Doo. Congrats on the award. It is perfect for you.
August 20, 2008 at 1:34 am
Awww poor Allana, kids can really be so mean…and on the first day of school?! I hope that she has a MUCH better day tomorrow.
August 20, 2008 at 3:00 pm
Poor Allana! Of COURSE she can like Scooby Doo. I can’t believe how kids are so mean, so young!
August 20, 2008 at 3:00 pm
Oh, and thanks for the tip on the cool runnings site!