Today is the fourth of July, the day Americans like to call “Independence Day”. In the UK we refer to it as “Good Riddance to Bad Rubbish Day”, but it amounts to the same thing.
Today is the day that people all over the USA get together and set off fireworks in memory of Will Smith and Jeff Goldblum defeating the alien invasion of earth. That will teach them pesky aliens not to install Norton Anti-virus on their mothership.
In all seriousness it probably says quite a bit about the two nations that America uses fireworks to celebrate the founding of their government, whereas we use them to celebrate someone trying to blow ours up.
So today is Independence Day. But not in our house it isn’t. We are having our Independence Day on the eighth of July instead. And it doesn’t have anything to do with a bunch of men in wigs signing a bit of paper either. Our Independence Day revolves around a little girl taking her first steps through a big door.
On Tuesday Amy goes to school for the first time. She doesn’t start officially until September. But next week she goes in for the afternoon for a taster session.
It’s a big day for her, and for all of us. But she’s ready to make that big leap forward into the next era of childhood. In fact she’s been ready for quite a while now. And the emotions that that knowledge stirs up are the very definition of bittersweet.
A great man (me) once said “From the moment they are born parents have to start letting their children go”. And that’s true. But that doesn’t mean I’m not allowed to get a bit misty eyed about it though.
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on Jul 4th, 2008 at 2:50 am
on Jul 4th, 2008 at 2:59 am
James’s last blog post..Wordless Wednesday!
on Jul 4th, 2008 at 6:29 am
But I did have that weird pang on his first day. And I had it again yesterday when his first annual school report came back.
(un)relaxeddad’s last blog post..The Hold Steady, Irritable Bowels, Sitting vs Standing, Crystal Castles
on Jul 4th, 2008 at 7:09 am
Clair’s last blog post..Temporary Home
on Jul 4th, 2008 at 7:38 am
That she may have many independance days ahaid, remember that mist clears.
Go buy a new shiny even fancier ipod and even thát mist will clear.
Arjan’s last blog post..Smoking prohibited: 01-07-2008
on Jul 4th, 2008 at 9:12 am
It was still really good to get home at the end of the first day though.
on Jul 4th, 2008 at 7:42 pm
She came back full of smiles and desperate to show us her new classroom.
Our little lady is growing up – and yes, it’s bittersweet. It was touch too because we felt like we should’ve been old hands at the school lark by now – it was the school Joseph should’ve started at in 2006.
But, we felt pleased and proud and melancholic all at the same time.
Lydia just felt excited (although she was slightly confused at the fact that ‘Amy Hughes’ is going to school but a different one. She told me that Amy should come to her school, so if you can arrange that it’d be great…).
A big day indeed. And I’m sure Amy will have a whale of a time.
on Jul 4th, 2008 at 8:15 pm
Good luck on the 8th.
Whit’s last blog post..Sunday in a Sandbox
on Jul 4th, 2008 at 10:42 pm
Come to think of it I loved my first teacher…..do you think this is how it works? Suck them in, lull them into false security and then get out the scary guys!
How’s the walking?
Gail’s last blog post..Mum’s Moments of Peace
on Jul 4th, 2008 at 11:15 pm
James – If she comes home that evning and hasn’t learned to read then there is going to be big trouble.
(un)relaxeddad -She’ll love it after the first few days I’m sure. She goes to nursery already, but a private one as the school doesn’t have one attached.
Clair – Thanks
Arjan – i’ve got half an eye on an mp3 player that’s also a DAB radio, but I need a suitable period of mourning first
Oli – Yes but Oli, you didn’t start school until you were 21 (a late developer apparently)
Rachael – Lydia could always go to our school, they have places apparently and it would amuse me to see Neil walk her there.
Whit – I wasn’t talking about head wigs. NOW who’s the ignorant one eh?
Gail – The walking is going very badly indeed. Which definitely not good.
on Jul 4th, 2008 at 11:30 pm
What’s up with the walking?
Nat’s last blog post..Don’t wait up for me…
on Jul 5th, 2008 at 8:39 am
Full day of school for her… full day of pub for you.
I’m jealous.
Oh, and Jeff Goldblum being in a successful movie that does not involve dinosaurs is the best reason for fireworks. Really.
NYCWD’s last blog post..CookiePuss
on Jul 5th, 2008 at 11:49 pm
NYCWD – Pub? I’m bloody working.
Dans last blog post..A moral man (unfortunately)
on Jul 7th, 2008 at 12:28 am
Yeeehaaaaw. Happy Birthday America.
Henris last blog post..Down With Oxygen
on Jul 7th, 2008 at 2:03 am
And I love the way you crazy Brits always make fun of our 4th of July….but I suppose you are entitled!
The Chicks last blog post..The Problem with Online Social Networking…..
on Jul 7th, 2008 at 9:02 pm
The Chick – any day now we’ll be coming round and asking for our colony back.