All the Cliches are True

Dear Time,

Slow down! My daughter will be a 5th grader in less than 10 days.

HOW did this happen?

It is Open House night at school. After we left her 4th grade room and I pulled Hubby away from her electromagnetism projects, we strolled casually through the crowds of parents with arms full of the year's art projects. Then DQ, who on a school level, has only been the "quiet one" or the "shy one" or the "I'm not sure she actually can talk"-student, wanted to go see her old teachers. We headed to her 1st grade teacher's room. A flood of memories came back. All the projects decorating the walls were once made by DQ. I remember it vividly. I helped out in the classroom a lot then, taking a 3 year old My Boy with me on many occasions. Had 4 years really passed?

DQ's Kindergarten teacher has retired and her 2nd grade teacher has switched schools, so we went to her 3rd grade class next. Then suddenly, every cliche became real and they all slid off my tongue like rapid-fire "time flies," "they grow up so fast," "we were JUST here yesterday weren't we?" I suppressed the tears that stung my eyes.

Before we headed home, we went to the room that will be our first-born's 5th grade classroom. I step in and I'm back in 1983, in my own room with Mean Mrs. Stene (she called herself that!). I remember that my state report was on Arizona. I remember watching "The Movie" that explained exactly what a period was, and allowed me to be semi-prepared when it started a few short months later. I remember going on a class trip and having my first real crush on the new boy in class. I remember wearing his jacket and it wasn't because it was cold out, but because he liked me too.

I'm not ready for a 5th grader. I know what comes after that year....junior high.

Slow down. Please.

Thanks, Jen

34 supporters in group:

  1. Anonymous said...

    Yeah, I'm at the first grader and a three year old boy stage right now, and I sigh longingly over their baby pictures already. I think I WILL need therapy when my daughter hits fifth grade. And I'll just go into a self-induced coma when junior high rolls around. OY.

  2. Meg said...

    Awwh sweetie!!!! Here we go...you are well on your way to a preteen...now the fun part starts!!!

    Hugs from Texas darlin'!

  3. Vicki said...

    GADZOOKS!!! I literally have a pool of tears in my eyes!!! I understand. My first born starts third grade and my baby starts K!!!! What the HECK!?!?!

    Time - please listen - SLOW DOWN ALREADY!!!! :(

    (shoot, the tears just spilled out...)

  4. Anonymous said...

    Okay, so I know mine will be a 5th grader, too, but this morning he is still my 'baby'. I can't believe how all of a sudden he's halfway to 18 ... ugh, now I'm going to cry.

  5. Tenakim said...

    Awww, those are sweet memories! I can imagine your anxiety- I have a girl that will be going into 4th (I was at Catholic school so there was no distinction between middle and elementary for us and I think it'll be the same for her). But I have a boy going into 8th- so high school is right around the corner- God help me! With the girls there is sentimental side- with boys- there is just plain fear!

  6. Tami said...

    I know the feeling! I almost had a breakdown the day my oldest went to jr. high...but then again it was also the day my baby started kindergarten. That was a rough day!

    Now, my middle daughter is finishing up 5th grade, geez! And she just finished the week of "The Movie"! Boy, do I feel old!

  7. Mr Lady said...

    My boy will be a 5th grader in a month. Which makes me die a little inside. How did this happen? And can we hook them up somehow? THOSE would be some cute grandbabies.

  8. Lisa @ Boondock Ramblings said...

    I agree. Mine is only 18 months, but still...it is going too fast. That's why I make the most of every moment and try to make sure I don't miss a second.

    Wait...then I shouldn't be blogging right now.

    Gotta go! :-)

  9. Anonymous said...

    Take lots of pictures...it will help :) LOVE your new look; it's beautiful!

  10. ** said...

    Awww Jen. A'yup! A'yup! I just found out the boy that outside my house the other day was not the 14 yr old I thought but actually 16. Okay, I might pass out.

  11. Sarah McBride said...

    I am with you sistah! Peter starts second grade and my BABY will be starting Kindergarten in August. Honestly where does the time go??

  12. Rebecca said...

    Urg right there with ya Jen, Jarod will be a 5th grader this coming school year too, I cannot believe he is 11 already (repeated 3rd grade due to our insistence, immature boys and all that ;) ).

    Time does go by too fast, I think the older you get the faster it goes too...mind you only being (eternally) 28 years old I would not know about being *old* right. ::WINK::

  13. Tasina said...

    My oldest will be a senior this year. I wish I could tell you that it gets easier - but it most certainly does not! The only consolation is that he has grown into such a fine young man and I see a future where we are good friends.

    P.S. I really like your blog - can I add you to my blogroll?

  14. Shannon said...

    I am having the same conversation with myself about kindergarten ending and having a 1st grader. I am still only 20 right? Where have the last 12 years gone? By the way I too am guilty of choosing my wines largely based on label. I am a marketers dream I swear. My husband indulged me last year when he made his first batch of red to let me make the label for it myself...does that make me biased?

  15. Anonymous said...

    My Diva will start 4th grade next year. She is already asking if her boobs look bigger to me? HUH??
    What the .. ??
    I'm so not ready. Keep blogging so I can have some pointers.

  16. McMommy said...

    Oh wow! And I was crying over a GLIDER??!! Geez, I better save my tears for when it's really important...like my babies heading to 5th grade!!

    p.s. I love how your header is always changing! Keeps it exciting and fresh! And I love the way the current one matches the Pink Pinot Grigio wine label on the right!

  17. Angie Seaman said...

    Love your blog. It's great!
    Blessings, Angie Seaman
    www.angelicagracedesigns.com/blog/
    www.angelicagracedesigns.com

  18. Bahama Shores Mama said...

    I too, have a daughter who has 5.5 days left as a fourth grader. My oldest is just finishing his first year as a sixth grader (middle schooler here). I had a baby last year so the cliches were hitting extra hard with my hormones running rampant. In honor of full disclosure I must mention I also have a second grader. I am guilty of constantly saying when the baby is this old, the others will be.....

    The hardest to believe? When the baby goes to kindergarten, the oldest could drive her!!!!!

  19. Tara R. said...

    Such a sweet post. It's been a long time since either of my kids were in 5th grade, but I can remember it like it was yesterday. When my college kid was home recently she went to her old elementary school to visit with her 5th grade teacher. Mrs. M almost didn't recognize her. It was only when my kid spoke that she realized who was visiting. It really does go by so quickly.

  20. Not Just Any Jen said...

    Jen, I could have written this post-seriously, it is like you plucked this from my head. I was just about to post about the cliches being true-they grow so fast, time flies, etc. because Al just finished her first year of preschool and Mason is wearing her Cubs romper that she wore at 15 months. WOW!

    You stole my post, LOL! And I can only begin to thin what it will be like to have a 5th grader. I remember the movie too!

  21. Anonymous said...

    When you get the clock to listen, maybe you can rewind the years as well and I can undo some of this sun damage?

  22. The Buntens said...

    Oh, it goes so darn fast!
    Yes, slow down.

    That pink wine in your sidebar looks yummy!


    Love your new look! Pink is my favorite color.

    And Your Eyes is probably my most favorite song ever.

    Glad I stopped by tonight.

  23. Alice said...

    Awww..I feel the same way and my boy is only in the first grade.

    And be glad you got a movie about periods, my mom threw a Kotex pamphlet at me. That would be the extent of our sex talks.

  24. Amber said...

    Ack! I'm only a year behind that with my oldest. I'm not ready to be the mom of a moody hormonal pre-teen!

    Thanks for stopping by!

  25. Sue Wilkey said...

    Darn, that made me cry too - my baby girl only has 12 days of fifth grade left then it's off to middle school. Her school apparently puts on a slide show the last day of shots through the years (to Sarah McLaughlin no doubt) I will be a MESS.

  26. Tammy said...

    Ok Jen..I guess I will stop crying about mine having to start Kindergarten next year...so sad...where does the time go? Love your new header! :)

  27. Ann Harrison said...

    Yes Jen... I completely understand.
    I don't like this. Not one bit!

  28. Anonymous said...

    I also have a daughter going into 5th grade next year. She's very excited about it! It's tough. They grow so fast! I've had practice, though! Her sister will be 21 soon and we've already been through the teens,the terribles, graduation, the 'magic #18', her moving away and now she's moving even further away! (whew!) Chin up, mom, your lip is trembling!

  29. Amy said...

    I am feeling your pain. My "baby" is going into middle school (5th grade) in the fall and I am also wondering where the time went?! It seems like Kindergarten was just yesterday and now he is done with elementary school - YIKES! Thank goodness I have a soon-to-be 2nd grader and a 2 year old left. I need some young ones around here. I refuse to let them grow-up too!! It's not fair.

  30. Jenny said...

    Oh Jen! My first born is about to become a 5th grader, too! And Chloe moves on to a new school...a middle school...so she graduates from elementary school on Monday. And my youngest graduates Kindergarten tomorrow night!!! AAAGGHHHHH!!! I was all teary eyed this morning while I was drying my hair, just thinking about everything. I have such fond memories, but you know, I wouldn't change a thing. I'm having too much fun now that they are older!

  31. Megan said...

    Oh my, our little guy just turned one and already I feel like he's turning into a little man right before our eyes. I'll be a complete mess by the time we get to the 5th grade!!

  32. McMommy said...

    Just me....stopping by to say thanks for playing POW!

  33. amanda said...

    oh so very true - time really does fly. and the "period" filmstrip!! i just can't stomach that one day i too will have a little one watching!!

    btw - is the header new?? bc i puffy heart it!!

    happy POW :)

  34. Rachel said...

    I'm feeling sentimental just reading this and my kids aren't even in school yet!

    Happy POW!

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