I promise I will have a recap of the weekend at some point, but I am sleep-deprived and feel certain illness coming on due to all the no sleeping. It’s not easy spending a whole weekend hyped up on a cocktail of hormones, steroids and emotion.
Plus, underlying everything for the last 48 hours has been the fact that Caroline starts Kindergarten today.
This video will show you why I’m so emotional about it. She’s just so shy and demure.
God bless her, I hope she makes friends.
Untitled from Big Mama on Vimeo.
I especially love the part where she tells me she’s going to “bring her lunch, yo”.
Apparently, the approach of Kindergarten brings out your street side.
She’s just keepin’ it real.
Willow says:
Priceless! Why do I have the feeling she’s gonna be running the school? She’s terrific!
August 25th, 2008 at 4:57 am
room for grace says:
“Bring it, YO!!!”
That’s what I’m sayin about Kindergarten starting today for my second!
August 25th, 2008 at 5:49 am
Kristin says:
THAT is a kick in the pants! She’s a RIOT!
August 25th, 2008 at 6:06 am
Nikki says:
Glad she’s so excited, even if Mama is a touch nervous. My little girl starts 1st grade today - wow! Good luck to both of you.
August 25th, 2008 at 6:08 am
Mary says:
Hee! It’s such a shame she has no personality. Now, should we be praying for her or the teacher?
August 25th, 2008 at 6:13 am
lori says:
How cute is that.. I want to read a post from you after you drop her off..
August 25th, 2008 at 6:17 am
Susan says:
She is a little revved up, eh? Can’t wait to see how her day goes. My 4th grader is both highly ticked and highly depressed about the end of the summer and the end of being my little buddy.
August 25th, 2008 at 6:36 am
Jen@ODBT says:
Love it! She’s going to do great. Good luck!
My daughter starts kindergarten next week (only half day) so no “bringing lunch yo!” for her. Maybe she’ll just kick it with a carton of milk.
August 25th, 2008 at 6:40 am
Kelly says:
She’s HILARIOUS. Hope it’s a great day for BOTH of you.
In other news, would it be inappropriate to ask what color your walls are? I need that paint color!!
August 25th, 2008 at 7:01 am
Melinda says:
First of all, so nice to see you in San Antonio!
It is hard for me to adequately describe to you how much Caroline reminds me of my youngest daughter at that age. Upon entering kindergarten, she was set to be a teacher when she grew up. When she came home from her first day of kindergarten, she informed me that she had changed her career path to a different field altogether…a motorcycle stunt rider in the circus.
Talk about your street side, yo.
August 25th, 2008 at 7:06 am
Hilary says:
Did she say you were going to pick her up in “car row?” (Faith calls it drive pool!)Love.it. As a former Kdg teacher, Caroline will be the teacher fave, precious! My oldest starts 1st grade in 1 hour.
August 25th, 2008 at 7:18 am
Stephanie(ocean mommy) says:
It was so nice to meet you and in S.A.
I’m still trying to process the entire weekend.
This child reminds me so much of my oldest at that age..(chloe is 10 now) My favorite part was “I’ve got to get this thing figured…” That just cracked me up…I’m still trying to get this thing figured…
Praying that you all have an INCREDIBLE first day of school.
Blessings,
stephanie
August 25th, 2008 at 7:25 am
Tina Vega says:
Prayin’ for you today Mama; I remember how big that day was for me!!
August 25th, 2008 at 7:29 am
SheilaG says:
Congratulations! You’ve entered a new milestone in your life. The best part of the first day of kindergarten is watching all the parents cry. Go out to Starbucks wtih a stranger today and you can cry in your coffee together and bond. It’s how many great friendships start!
Visit To Love, Honor and Vacuum today!
August 25th, 2008 at 7:37 am
Kelley says:
That’s good stuff right there!
August 25th, 2008 at 7:50 am
Kim says:
I’ve enjoyed your blog for a time now… delurking to wish you a good day today. I think the first day of kindergarten is harder on us moms than on the kiddos! I’m sure she will come home full of great stories of the fun day she had. And, in the meantime, hope you have time to decompress from your weekend with Miss Beth…. anxious to hear all about it! Blessings today!
August 25th, 2008 at 7:50 am
Megan says:
Be prepared for a long day. My oldest started kindergarten last week and I could not wait for that yellow bus to bring her home on that first day so I could hear all about it! I thought 3:00 would never come!!!
August 25th, 2008 at 7:55 am
Mel says:
Too cute! She is so sassy.
Emma started kindergarten last week. My three year old son cried the most. He wanted to go to kindergarten, too.
August 25th, 2008 at 8:01 am
kay says:
oh dear, she’s just at a loss for words! hee hee. How comforting to see another precious baby who cannot sit/stand still! I told my daughter, “baby, you can’t do your work and figget at the same time!” We’ve made it now two weeks in this new life of kindergarten, and I’ve heard no reports of coming to pick up this figgetting child. (too bad for me - sigh)
I will be praying for you especially today, that the sweet love of the Lord will comfort your aching heart. In the overwhelming QUIETNESS of that home today, He is with you. AND, it won’t be too long before you have to go line up in the car rider line! My goal is to be the first one there every day. See? it gets better.
August 25th, 2008 at 8:03 am
Kristyn says:
I, too, have been reading for awhile (awesome blog, btw) and will de-lurk on the subject of sending first borns to kindergarten. We hit that milestone last Wednesday. My daughter was all about riding the bus and eating hot lunch, although that stopped when she saw “mixed vegetables” on the menu for today. So was so ready to go, informing us everyday “I can’t wait to get out of this house everyday away from whiny kids and bossy moms” Gee, thanks–miss you, too!
Hope she had a great day! Can’t wait to see an after school video!
August 25th, 2008 at 8:08 am
Daphne says:
Glad to see she’s going to enter kindergarten with some street cred. You gotta have that you know.
August 25th, 2008 at 8:08 am
Mama Belle says:
I don’t know who Daphne is.
August 25th, 2008 at 8:09 am
ashley says:
i love it! i found your blog through a friend’s blog. don’t you love the first day of school jitters?! the thrills of lunchboxes and crayons. i suppose i’ll get all of that one day - just this morning i was playing airplane w/ our 6month old when she projected a lovely stream of spit up towards my face. luckily i did the swift mommy duck and managed to help my face miss the return of my breast milk - but my neck got it. and down my chest it trickled. …so i guess we’ve got a few years before lunch is cool, yo.
August 25th, 2008 at 8:13 am
Sarah at themommylogues says:
Hilarious! I should take a video of mine before she starts kindergarten (Sept 2). Only we could not be more Minnesotan so it’ll probably be like, “So, I think I’ll bring my lunch then. You bet.”
August 25th, 2008 at 8:13 am
Rocks In My Dryer says:
Yo. Little dude. Good luck.
August 25th, 2008 at 8:14 am
Sara says:
Hilarious! I think she’s gonna have a great time.
August 25th, 2008 at 8:17 am
Fran says:
“Let me know when you get this thing figured out, yo!!”
Hope she has a fabulous day….you to mom!
Good to see you this weekend. And, forgot to find out about those darling jeans…what brand??? Not lookin for an email but just in case, you know, you have the time!
Hugs,
Fran
August 25th, 2008 at 8:20 am
Shelly McCabe says:
That is hilarious. I love how she says it’s going to be “crazy”. I hope she has a wonderful first day and that it isn’t too hard for you. Go have a manicure/pedicure homey! LOL
Peace out.
August 25th, 2008 at 8:24 am
rrmama says:
She is so funny! I hope she has a great first day and mom does cry to much dropping her off.
Peace!
August 25th, 2008 at 8:36 am
Ness says:
Caroline will be our first woman President. She is waaay ahead of the class. Following her school year adventures this year will be awesome. Good luck Mom!
August 25th, 2008 at 8:36 am
Mary Helen says:
What a cutie! I bet today is a fun day for her!
August 25th, 2008 at 8:41 am
Colleen says:
My youngest heads off next Tuesday - like Caroline, I hope they’re ready for him! He couldn’t wait all last year while his buddy went to Kindergarten - but now that it’s here he’s a little hesitant. Bless you during this time of transition!
August 25th, 2008 at 8:52 am
Kelly @ Love Well says:
My almost five-year-old son just walked into the kitchen when he heard Caroline’s voice, and he sat on my lap for the rest of the video, mesmerized by her. And at the end of the video, he laughed uproariously. “She’s funny.”
I’d say that’s pretty much going to be repeated ad nauseum for her today. Have fun, Caroline!
August 25th, 2008 at 8:52 am
Holly Smith says:
PRAYING for you, for this 1st day today.
Praying for a restorative and replenishing day for you, too.
Love,
Holly
August 25th, 2008 at 8:54 am
Brickhouse says:
Just dropped the little men off for their first day of school. I had a hard time because this is Austin’s LAST YEAR in elementary school. I took a picture of him with his friend Caleb and almost cried because I think I have the same exact picture of them on the 1st day of kindergarten. My how time flies. I am afraid to blink, or we will be headed to College Station with him!
Ans so I’m curious about what you are going to do today after you finish crying!!!!
August 25th, 2008 at 8:58 am
Jill (CDJ) says:
Hilarious! “Bring it yo!” We should all use that phrase more often. Think of all the uses!
August 25th, 2008 at 9:08 am
Amanda says:
I love it. I hope this day is so great for y’all!
August 25th, 2008 at 9:20 am
life with the wisners says:
so pass it on to my sis-tah that this started my day off on JUST the right foot, dog.
gonna be weird.
August 25th, 2008 at 9:22 am
Sufficient Grace says:
The part that cracked me up was when she said, “We have to figure this thing out…it’s a little bit weird.” Too funny!!! Oh, to be a fly on the wall of her k-grade classroom today! Hope that the drop off went well!
August 25th, 2008 at 9:34 am
Julie H. says:
Oh yeah, I’d say she’s ready! I just got back a little while ago from dropping my kids off for the first day. My middle child started kindergarten today as well.
Take care,
Julie
August 25th, 2008 at 9:47 am
Kelly says:
She is hilarious, yo!
I can’t wait until she’s 16 and watches this video. That will be priceless too!
August 25th, 2008 at 9:50 am
Mandi says:
LOVE IT!!! The kindergarten teacher in me has such a heart for five-year olds on the first day of school. Hope her day was filled with all the good things she expected and more!
August 25th, 2008 at 9:53 am
Jennifer says:
“She’ll pick me up in the….car row” Love the little smile after she said that!
August 25th, 2008 at 9:53 am
Annabelle@Christian Momma says:
That’s too cute!
August 25th, 2008 at 9:54 am
Ellen says:
Too cute! I was seriously afraid she was going to wet her pants right then and there. My kiddos hop around like that when they have to “go”. And is she going to be a politician or what!?! Lots of round about talking. Loved it! I’ll be thinking about you. These 1st days are harded on us than them…
August 25th, 2008 at 10:31 am
Betsy says:
Ah, yes, she is a delicate, shy little flower..
Ha - I have one JUST LIKE THAT!! She is the last one of my “Flock” that is still at home with me… the other two started school today. I thought she would be sad and miss her sisters, but, no, she rather likes being at home without them!!!
August 25th, 2008 at 10:37 am
Sarah says:
My little one start K today too. Although, she gets a little upset when I call her little! Oh how time Flies. I was updating “baby” books and balled my eyes out. Hopefully I can maintain composure when I drop her off…the cars where I will do my crying!
Your daughter is absolutely precious! I hope she has a Great day YO!
August 25th, 2008 at 10:42 am
Natalie @ I AM (not) says:
Love her. Love the Coach bag.
August 25th, 2008 at 11:02 am
Laura says:
Big mama,
Now that your little one is in school, it is time for another baby….just a thought.
Love you!!
August 25th, 2008 at 11:07 am
Wendy says:
That is adorable, she’s quite a character! She reminds me of my own girl. And this may sound weird, but I love your voice — now when I read your posts, I’m going to imagine you saying them in your cute accent.
August 25th, 2008 at 11:13 am
Kaye says:
School in genral brings out the street in my kids. Love the blog!
August 25th, 2008 at 11:37 am
Beth (A Mom's Life) says:
Yo! Ha! I just recently did a post about my 5 year old saying yo!
Good luck to you both!
August 25th, 2008 at 11:38 am
Robin (PENSIEVE) says:
“…have to be…a wittle bit CRAZY about this thing…”
I think she just channeled the mind of her teacher. Bet she’s having a FABULOUS TIME right…NOW!
Wonder what YOU’RE doing!
August 25th, 2008 at 11:50 am
Elayne says:
Melanie, that sweet girl of yours cracks me up! I hope she has a blast at school today and I will say a prayer for you.
August 25th, 2008 at 11:57 am
Suzie says:
So cute. She is going to be great, I hope her Mama can take it ;o)
August 25th, 2008 at 12:14 pm
Amy Beth @ Ministry So Fabulous! says:
I have never seen anything that cute in my entire life. SERIOUSLY.
August 25th, 2008 at 12:21 pm
Jmom says:
Praying for you today, Mama. I know she’ll do great!
August 25th, 2008 at 12:22 pm
Angie says:
Sooo funny. She is hilarious!
I homeschooled my little man last year for kindergarten, but he’s heading to school tomorrow for first grade. So much joy and sadness all mingled together in this mommy’s heart.
August 25th, 2008 at 1:18 pm
Laura says:
Oh my word. That was too funny.
I guess we’re gonna hafta get us a little bit crazy ’bout this thang.
August 25th, 2008 at 1:49 pm
Cindy says:
She is too funny. She is not lacking in personality!!
I hope she has a great day!
August 25th, 2008 at 1:57 pm
Julie says:
That makes me laugh out loud. It’s so funny when she says “weird.” She just doesn’t sit still! I love her energy.
August 25th, 2008 at 2:06 pm
Teri says:
She is precious!! Loved the energy!
August 25th, 2008 at 2:32 pm
Jennifer, Snapshot says:
Oh my.
Does she ever sit still? I say that not in judgment, but in empathy as the mother of a 4 year old boy who seems like he could match her wiggle for wiggle and syllable for syllable.
August 25th, 2008 at 2:36 pm
C. Smith says:
love your blog…your outlook on life just gives me such a big smile in my heart. I’ve put you under my fav list of links I love on my blog pg. Your daughter is precious ‘yo and I pray for both of you that today will be glorious!! lots of memories made today. When I think about when I took my twin girls to Kindergarten and dropping them off…I still get a lump in my throat. They grow so fast and it just seems like time flies! I took them to 3rd grade today and they didn’t want me to walk them to thier desk…”Mom, I can do this by myself please don’t come in” from each. I could tell they were trying really hard not to hurt my feelings. But,OMG! My heart just sank. I stood in the hallway snapping pictures like a undercover PI, trying to watch thier every move. How silly am I. Gosh they are big girls now. They got the school routine down. Gotta give them wings to fly right? Hope your day wasn’t too sad. Cannot wait to hear all about it. God Bless.
August 25th, 2008 at 2:40 pm
Inna says:
Yep! She’s a wallflower. :p
August 25th, 2008 at 2:51 pm
Tracey says:
Yes, the “bring it, yo!!!” is the best part!
Too friggin’ funny!
Blessings….
August 25th, 2008 at 3:26 pm
Robyn says:
Poor kid. She won’t be able to make any friends. I doubt the class will even know she’s there. You know, since she’s so shy and still and quiet.
Yo.
August 25th, 2008 at 3:32 pm
Melissa H. says:
She’s hilarious!!! My oldest started 1st grade this year, and my baby started preschool. I was sooo not ready to have two kids in school!
August 25th, 2008 at 4:17 pm
Kelly says:
Hi…I love your blog, and I just wanted to pass on a couple awards to you that were given to me today. One is the I Love Your Blog Award. The other is The Smile Award. I am new to blogging and low on computer savvy, so I don’t know how else to get you the info. about the awards other than to ask that you visit my blog to copy and past the graphics onto your site. (Is that usually how it’s done? These are my first awards.) Anyway, you can get your award at http://sufficientgrace-kelly.blogspot.com.
Thanks for making us laugh. I really appreciate your blog.
In His Grace,
Kelly Gerken
Sufficient Grace Ministries for Women
http://www.sufficientgrace.net
August 25th, 2008 at 6:07 pm
Lisa @ The PW says:
Bring it, yo. Oh that is the greatest.
Hope Miss Thang had a fun first day and that you didn’t cry too much.
It was awesome meeting you at the Fiesta. How cool that you get to live in SA year round. LOVED it there!
August 25th, 2008 at 6:09 pm
Wanda says:
Oh boy! Look out friends, here she comes! Yo!
Kindergarten Rocks!
August 25th, 2008 at 6:27 pm
april says:
Hope she had a fabulous first day. My best friends daughter started Kindy today. I asked her if she was worried about her daughter and she said “worried that she’ll take over the school!” Nothing wrong with a confident girl, at any age!
August 25th, 2008 at 6:46 pm
Indiana Keetha says:
I saw that this was going to be a Caroline story WITH a video and I about peed my pants with excitement!!!!
That girl is TOOO much.
How in the world will her teacher handle a whole class full of Carolines??????
August 25th, 2008 at 6:50 pm
Melanie K says:
I want to know if I am an awful mom, because I couldn’t wait for my kids to start school and I certainly never shed a tear. I love seeing them grow-up and have life experiences of their own. I like to see how they handle themselves and what they are made of! I don’t think you need to worry about Caroline though! She seems like a very confident and bright young girl. You will enjoy hearing her stories of all her experiences without you.
August 25th, 2008 at 7:21 pm
The Diaper Diaries says:
Our 4 yo daughters may have been seperated at birth. Like a sista from anotha motha.
August 25th, 2008 at 7:34 pm
k&c's mom says:
She is DEFINITELY ready. I envy her teacher. Caroline will make her kindergarten class a great place to be!
August 25th, 2008 at 7:50 pm
cyn says:
OH my ! Won’t she be fun to teach??!!?!
I had about 18 of those today in my new class. That girl is way too funny! 
August 25th, 2008 at 7:55 pm
Amy from Texas says:
I’m cracking up! Girls are soooo different than boys! My son just had his first day at kindergarten also… but he didn’t have much to say! I did write him a letter on my blog. It was a fun day. I hope yours was too, Yo!
http://livinglocurto.wordpress.com/2008/08/25/first-day-of-kindergarten/
August 25th, 2008 at 8:02 pm
Karen says:
Melanie, That was hilarious! Do you think she’ll sleep tonight?
August 25th, 2008 at 8:03 pm
Aleesha says:
I love how she’s so excited she looks like she’s doing the potty dance through the first half of your little chat!
Hope the day went well… our turn is in two weeks! : (
August 25th, 2008 at 8:43 pm
Karen~ says:
My gosh, she was cracking me up! How were you keeping a straight face! I hope today went great for both of you.
Karen~
August 25th, 2008 at 9:12 pm
Red Clay Steph says:
Hey,
I’ve been reading for only a little while, but love the blog. I just pray that your daughter (whose personality sounds a LOT like my daughter’s) has a better start to her kindergarten career than mine did this year. I blogged about our preparations for the day at http://momonthejourney.wordpress.com/2008/08/04/strategery/
and the results:
http://momonthejourney.wordpress.com/2008/08/07/you-take-the-bad-with-the-good/
It’s all better two weeks later. But the jury’s still out on whether she’ll end up class president or criminal mastermind.
August 25th, 2008 at 9:20 pm
Missy @ Its Almost Naptime says:
And I can see she is getting her fashion inspiration from the Olympics.
So, will she give us a recap of the day’s events? Or when you asked her, did you get a “I can’t merember” like I did?
August 25th, 2008 at 9:29 pm
Hollie says:
Caroline just may be the coolest kid EVA!!!
August 25th, 2008 at 9:29 pm
Lavender Chick says:
She is her mother’s daughter, YO!
August 25th, 2008 at 10:22 pm
Walking With Scissors says:
Aside from the obvious (cute as a button, yo!), I just have to say that I love your southern drawls! Those are great accents, yo. They make me want to walk around saying “ya’ll”. Yo.
August 25th, 2008 at 10:30 pm
Kristen says:
OMG - she reminds me so much of my daughter with her randomness! So cute! I love it.
And the whole “yo” ending… too funny!
I’m sure she did great today. Hope you did as well.
August 25th, 2008 at 11:05 pm
PJ says:
Things are just “a little crazy” around there!! Hysterical!!
My oldest left for Kindergarten on a bus!! In South American. I think I must have been out of my mind! That is, of course, after he had ridden a donkey to go back to the rain forest where he saw a mountain cat, a hug snake and a wild boar. (On different visits!) I think I was out of my mind. Definitely!
August 25th, 2008 at 11:13 pm
Jessica says:
Oh my goodness I think she has a twin out in California. My daughter is exactly the same. I love that they are so confident, strong willed and out going… but those poor quiet kids are never going to know what hit them.
August 26th, 2008 at 11:29 am
Elaine says:
I really should’ve gone to the bathroom before I watched that because I am about to pee my pants! Oh she is SO funny!
{pausing to laugh some more}
Ok, now I have to go watch it again…
August 26th, 2008 at 9:41 pm
Mamasphere says:
Oh my word, that video is precious! But even better is her darling accent. I could listen to her for hours. Kind of like you have to, I bet.
August 26th, 2008 at 11:37 pm
Lynn says:
Alrighty then! Can I have one full order of that energy? Don’t ever ever delete that video. It is too precious. She will be one of those children ( like I had ) that told you way more about things than you ever wanted to know! So, love it. No secrets in your house. Good luck Caroline with Kindergarten. And good luck Mom and Dad being lonely with her gone.
August 27th, 2008 at 2:28 pm
Erin says:
What I wouldn’t give to teach her - that’s hilarious!!!
August 27th, 2008 at 6:03 pm
Lindsee says:
So I student taught in kindergarten for a semester. You can only imagine my stories.
This movie brings me back to those days.
August 28th, 2008 at 12:00 pm