The first day of school...

Technically in Nebraska, kids have been in school for three full weeks now. But I am still on my Minnesota clock, where the first day of school always fell on that highly anticipated day after Labor Day. I have sweet memories of waiting so anxiously to drive to Greenleaf Elementary school at the beginning of August to find out who my teacher would be for the year. They would post the class lists on the school doors and we would nervously chatter about what we had heard about Mrs. so-and-so and wonder if she'd be nice or mean or strict or funny.

This was also the time we would get our school supply list. I would hold that list so carefully as we shopped through the pandemonium of parents and kids at Kmart. One year I got these crayons that had different colors at each end. I made a special holder for them out of a check box that I decorated with stickers and wrapping paper. Oh how I love new crayons!

And then we'd go shopping for something new to wear on that first day of school. I specifically remember going to work with my mom in Minneapolis and making a special trip to the downtown JCPennies for this outfit. It usually was very comfortable, because I loved leggings and one piece outfits and sweatpants. (I didn't own a pair of jeans until I was in 7th grade!) And we'd get new sneakers and a hairthingy to go with it too.

Finally, the day would arrive, and with great joy, I walked my new crayons in my backpack to the bus stop wearing my new clothes from Pennies. That's me in the one piece white and purple striped outfit with the new hairthingy and sneakers holding Jennifer's hand.