Saturday, August 25, 2007

Ladies and Gentlemen...

I present to you, the Class of 2011!!

That's right, Daughter13 is starting her freshman year in high school. Orientation was yesterday. Tryouts for the freshman girl's volleyball team was today. As my wife says, "our little baby is going to high school!"

I know when she got up on Friday she was pretty much the same person as when she went to bed on Thursday night. And yet, in her new shirt and jeans, heading off to high school, she suddenly looked taller. And older. More grown up.

How can that be my little girl?!?!

Damn, they do grow up fast. Sometimes, it seems like it happens overnight.

35 comments:

SzélsőFa said...

Is it a congratulation that needed, or a hug for getting older? Or both...?
My daughter starts elementary school on 1 September and that is another milest one, too.

Melody said...

Oh wow. I simply cannot imagine sending Monet off to primary school, let alone secondary school!...

Anonymous said...

They do sprout up fast, overnight, like mushrooms after a spring rain. You too will age in large leaps after she gets her driver license. But, I believe you've already been there, done that. Just not with the baby girl...

Jenster said...

Wow! My baby is starting 7th grade and I feel... well, I don't think I feel much different than I did last year. lol But I'm sure I won't be so indifferent when she starts highschool.

Can I ask - did she skip a grade? 13 is young to be a freshman, isn't it? (It is early and I've only had half a cup of half-caff, so, you know.) Anyway, I wouldn't be surprised in the least to know your child skipped a grade. The apple and the tree and all that.

Em said...

Jenster, she did not skip a grade, though she is very bright. But based on when you had to be 6 to start kindergarten, she barely squeaked by...so she has always been the youngest in her class. And the shortest, much to her dismay. LOL

A wildlife gardener said...

There speaks a proud dad, and rightly so :) We are so fortunate to be part of their lives. It's an all-enriching experience :)

heartinsanfrancisco said...

They do grow up so fast that it seems like overnight.

My three are all grown now, and yet a part of me is still waiting for them to come home and be children again.

Enjoy every day with her because in retrospect, it does go by in a blur.

meno said...

My one and only starts her senior year of high school tomorrow. I know how you feel.

Kati said...

Isn't that the truth, though. I had the same thought when I saw DD dressed & ready for school on Monday. *shaking head* Best of luck as your last one enters this next stage.

Jenster said...

Em - I'm such a nitwit. Told you I hadn't had enough coffee yet. I started 9th grade at 13, too, and graduated at 17. And I DEFINITELY did not skip a grade. :o)

whimsical brainpan said...

I may not have kids but I know what you mean. Seeing how quickly my nieces and nephew are growing up is simply mind blowing!

I hope your daughter has a great time in high school.

Unknown said...

Mine is only 3 and I still can't believe he EXISTS. These years are just zipping on by.

Speaking of zipping on by, I've given you an award.

(I think that qualifies as one of the Worst Segues of All Time.

Jazz said...

Next thing you know, she'll be off to college...

Anonymous said...

Good Luck!

Excuse me while I do not think about my little Peanut starting high school.

Radioactive Tori said...

I don't want my kids to grow up! This year is hard enough on me because my oldest will start getting letter grades. I want my babies back!

Kati said...

Tag!!!! You're it!!!

tulipmom said...

Congrats to both of you on reaching this milestone!

Logophile said...

Oh wow, growing up.
I tell my two, You are my baby, and you will always be my baby, even when you grow up and have your own babies, you will still be my bby.
Ya know, even the parents who don't SAY that, I think we mostly all feel that way.

Anonymous said...

Savor. Savor. Savor. It doesn't last forever.

MaryB said...

Yup, it is the same little girl. Unbelievable, eh? I think those very thoughts a lot lately, since my own dear daughter just got engaged to be married. I still remember exactily what it was like to hold her in my arms when she was little. They do grow up!

Liv said...

How do they get away from us so fast? I keep looking at mine and wondering where the time went!

thethinker said...

Ooh! Freshman year. I remember that as being a pretty good (and by good, I mean easy) year.

Rainbow dreams said...

oh my.. our son (11) is starting secondary school on friday - yes it seems to happen overnight....flippin scary...

Jocelyn said...

Isn't it amazing how those milestones keep cropping up...I bet she was lovely in her jeans!

Congrats on getting her this far.

OhTheJoys said...

Can you believe she is so grown? She is almost flown away. I hope the next four years are great.

DirkStar said...

No kidding...

Tonight my son ate cereal for the first time.

They do grow fast..

Creative-Type Dad said...

Wow, that's cool and yet a little sad.

I don't even know how I'm going to react 12 years from now.

Maybe I'll go for a ride in my flying car...

Dx said...

They grow up far too quickly but I wish her luck with her high school studies. She'll make you proud.

Anonymous said...

Big hugs and words of encouragement for you Em.

Here's hoping you won't need them all that often now that she's in highschool...

FENICLE said...

When you read the year 2011 it sounds so far off....but then I remember hello? It's almost 2008!!!!!!

Gretchen said...

I've got the class of 2013 and 2015 nipping at her heels. So hard to believe! Sounds so WELL into the 21st Century, too. Not like us geezers who gradeeated in the 1900s.

Wreckless Euroafrican said...

hey, there is nothing as scary as high school for the kids! I have 2 boys, and both times it was a big deal. However, they survive, and go on to do very well anyway. So whats the big deal? Do we put a bad picture in their minds? Like "Wait till you get to High school, it wont be so easy there!"
Nice Blog. Will be back
Salagatle!

Judy said...

It's both a joy and a heartbreak, isn't it.

I recall driving to work one September morning many years ago - before I was a parent - and following a school bus. At each stop, little ones boarded the bus, and as it pulled away, young mothers stood alone, sobbing by the roadside. I thought it was hilarious!!

Several years later, I sent a little girl off to kindergarten...

Best wishes to Daughter13 for a great year.

CS said...

Wow, I hadn't even thought ahead to the graduation year of my 1-year-old freshman. 2011! It sounds so space oddysey like.

Ruth Dynamite said...

Go daughter 13! Go Em!

(V-ball is a great sport.)