Back To School Memory

I’m jumping in a day late for The SITSgirls Blogging Challenge: Back to Blogging, today is day two.

Today’s blog prompt: Back to School Memory

Back to School Memory

Back to school memory

I have plenty of back to school memories to choose from, but one that sticks out in my mind the most has to be my first day of third grade.  I remember being excited to start classes at my new school, I wasn’t nervous at all, just pure excitement. (If only I had that same disposition these days.) Third grade was the school year that along with starting classes at the new “nice” school: I would take a bus for the first time, my dad would be the one to walk me in on my first day and he’d leave shortly after to go to war.

My dad, who at that moment in time was my hero, took me to school in his starched-up BDUs and glistening black combat boots.  The school year before he was stationed in Korea, he missed most of my second grade school year, but we had the summer in our new fancy two-story house.

The Lead Up

Leading up to my first day of school my Mom made me a cute dress from an oversized t-shirt. She had sewn a black ruffle bottom on it, black shiny buttons and a big bow on the back (She did it all before Pinterest!  crafty pants).  My Mom had also purchased a pair of black flats similar to my older sisters, which of course made me feel slightly grown.  We were late purchasing school supplies. When you live in an ARMY town you better get shopping quick, or you’ll be left with the ABC crayon box or the wildlife bird crayon box (I chose the birds).

The First Day of Third Grade

I remember walking into the new school, it was bright, happy, and clean!  There were tons of kids and parents looking for their classrooms. In that sea of parents and their children there I was happily holding my Dad’s hand.  We walked into my classroom, and there, surrounded by parents and my fellow classmates stood my teacher, a man!  I had never had a male teacher before. Mr. A was wearing a gray blazer, white dress shirt with a bolo tie, black jeans and boots- I grew up in Texas, y’all.  He had the typical 90’s hair you know, Uncle Joey from Full House.

via GIPHY

My dad introduced himself to my teacher and my teacher introduced himself to us.  My teacher motioned over to our desks and cubbies and chatted a little with my dad.  I cannot remember what he said at all.  Perhaps, that’s because a little bit of nervousness was starting to settle in. My dad helped me unload my supplies into my desk.  Once we were done he kissed me on my forehead and told me he loved me.  Before he left he looked me in the eyes, he got closer to me, and in a hushed yet stern voice he said, “Mija, if this guy tries anything funny, you tell me.” (which meant chingasos)

And that was my first day of third grade, with my Daddy. 😉

(The pictures above are not of me or my dad, but my very own third grader and my loving husband. Except for the one picture of my dad and I before I was school age.)

Do you have a back to school memory that sticks out?

If you would like to join the Back to Blogging Challenge here are the prompts