September 5th, 1978: Petey's First Day of School (Kindergarten)!

Today was Peter's first day of school.  It rained all day.  Petey started asking at 9:00am, "Isn't it time to go yet?" And he kept telling me, "you're making me late for school, Mommy!".  

We started out to walk to school in the rain, but Connie Leedy passed us with Tricia and picked us up.  I saw Tricia's school box and realized I'd forgotten Pete's, so Connie brought us back home and I quickly ran in and grabbed it.  

Pete wore his green pants, his new green and black knit shirt, and his new shoes.  Then he had on Gretchen's coat because of the rain.  

I took my camera and took a picture of Pete and Tricia under the St. Matthew's sign.  I took another with Miss Scott, who came out to meet the children, but I think she moved.  Connie kissed Tricia goodbye, but Pete just went off without a backward look.  The teacher said to him, "you've been waiting a long time", and took him in.

I didn't shed a tear, but we had hot chocolate with marshmallows to celebrate when he came home.  He'd painted two pictures (we put them on the refrigerator), helped with the weather forecast ("I put the clouds on, Mommy!"), had a safety lesson (he told Thelma, "they told us to be careful what sounds we put in our ears."), and an arithmetic lesson "about 'near' and 'close'...no about 'one' and 'many'"

"We had a picture of a carnival and we had to circle two little boys and and one little boy, and popcorn..."

Whatever he actually did, he enjoyed it and he said "the teacher told all the children they have to be very careful of me"

He took a piece of driftwood for "Show & Tell" because he wanted to tell about his vacation, but they didn't do that today.

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This should be the occasion for philosophical reflection, but I can see only "one more Milestone passed forever!".

August 20th, 1978: Countdown to the Big Trip

Just one day left before we go and I can't believe it even now.  We've planned for this trip so long.  I finished packing our big suitcase today, taking out clothes for Petey to wear on the train.  I decided on his navy corduroy pants, a blue shirt, and, of course, his blue jacket.  I even bought him some new blue socks.  I'm planning to wear my beige trouser suit and long beige sweater-if only it's not to hot in the morning.  I've almost finished packing the small suitcase.  I packed a pillow, but if it's hot, I'll take the pillow out and pack my trouser suit and wear the sundress Lorraine made me.  I have new shoes-rope sandals with rubber soles (very springy) that Tina gave me.  I think I'll wear them on the train-at least I'll try them tomorrow to see if they're comfortable.  There's so much to do tomorrow; our medicine to refill; the floor to vacuum, the garbage to empty; the refrigerator to clean out

...Dad is bringing an old high school friend of his, Thelma's supposed to be bringing my sewing machine, and Marilyn's planning to bring her thermos by so I can pack a lunch.  I don't know how I'll carry everything.  I may have to leave my camera-it's the only non-essential item-but I want to take pictures of Pete on the train.  Carol has a camera so I know she'll take pictures while we're there.  Petey's a little apprehensive about missing all his favorite TV programs.  I'm just apprehensive.  But there's only one more day to wait!