1st Grade Jitters

Poor Reid had a rough go on the first day of first grade.

Everything started out great. He got up on time. He ate waffles and a fruit smoothie for breakfast (well, a few bites and a sip, anyway.) He looked great. But things got rocky when we headed out the door and the chain came off of his little bike, the "Rock-It," which he just learned to ride last week. Mom couldn't fix it and Dad was already at work, so Reid agreed to ride the Diamond Back (the very same bike I learned to ride in 1st grade! I know, we're late bloomers) even though it had the daunting 14" tires instead of the 10" tires he was much more comfortable with on the Rock-It. He did great-- I was so proud of him, and told him so, but I think that confidence boost is what sent him flying over the handle bars. Fortunately he landed in greenbelt grass, which was due to be cut, so it provided a soft landing. Stoicly, he got right back on and finished riding to school. I thought we had the nerves under control, until I urged him to get in line with some of his friends for a picture. He kept hesitating, and then burst into tears. "I don't think I'm supposed to cut in line!" (I even tried to capture his big sad eyes on film, but he immediately put on a smile, as you can see in the first picture. ) Then, his good friend Tehya joined him in line-- nothing like a cute girl flirting with you and telling you you're her boyfriend on the first day of school! That got him smiling, and I think that was the real confidence boost he needed to make his day.