Katy Brown is a wife, mom and part-time super-hero. She lives in a humble, cozy home with her SuperHub and three adorable kids. This is her blog.
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Aug 23
Monday
My Very First 1st Grader
This morning, I sent Cooper skipping off to 1st grade.
He was giddy.
I cried.
SuperHub giggled.
When I rolled out of bed, anxious to wake him up, I found him fully dressed, teeth brushed, ready to go. He was very excited to go sit at his desk. Even though it was hardly 7 am. A real desk is a big responsibility when you are 6 years old.
It’s bittersweet to see your kiddos grow up and learn to stand on their own two feet. Literally and figuratively.
Thankfully, for over attached moms like myself, our offspring still need us for some important things: Nutrition, occasional rear end wipage, tough buttons and shoe tying, to name a few.
This summer, Cooper tried (and tried and tried) to master the skill of tying his own shoes. Some kids pick it up quickly, some don’t. Clearly I give birth to the variety that do not.
Note to You: I am open for suggestions. Please, suggest. (Velcro shoes are great, but not always easy to find in bigger kid sizes.)
When we found the perfect pair of school shoes at the mall this weekend, we were in a wee bit of a pickle. The toggle was tough for him to maneuver (non stretchy laces) and the laces that came with the shoe would be rendered useless on any day that required a change to gym shoes and back.
The solution: Lock Laces™. Stretchy laces, with an easy to use toggle, that can be adjusted to any fit, kid through adult.
Thankfully, our local sports retailer had a great supply of colors to match Cooper’s choice of shoe. For $6.99, we turned a self esteem emergency into a fun little adventure.
This morning, with no trouble, Cooper put on and tightened up his own shoes like a pro.
It wasn’t easy to let my tender footed tater tot scamper out the door. But it did feel great knowing that he felt great about himself. He had both feet on the ground (tied tight) and his head in the clouds.
Oh happy day!
- Posted By: Lindsay McGowan
Everytime I see little ones with giant backpacks walking to the bus stop I get a little choked up! I will also admit that I get choked up at some back to school commercials as well… but perhaps that is pregnancy hormones. LOVE Cooper’s new school shoes! What a good mama you are!
- Posted By: KWT
Lock Laces are also big with tri-athletes to speed the transition between biking and running when switching shoes. If they’re good enough for a marathon they should hold up fine for your first grader.
- Posted By: Katy
Absolutely! New beginnings. Seeing all the Back To School photos on Facebook tugs tightly on my heart strings. Aw, right back at you Ms. Lindsay! You’re an incredible mommy! Pat your belly for me.
- Posted By: Katy
KWT – That was my thought exactly. Run, bike, creek…He might qualify as an off road triathlete.
- Posted By: Amy VanEpps-Mason
My son lives in Skechers…. Zappos is where I get them. Skechers has the best selection of velcro shoes and free shipping both ways. My son is 6 years old and I am pretty sure he will start high school in velcro shoes-LOL.
- Posted By: Katy
Hahaha, Amy, I love it! Cooper was a hard sell for another pair of Skechers. We have gone through 6 pairs of Hot Lights, Luminators and an airy pair that keeps your feet cool…Airators or some such thing? I put my foot down. (Pun intended.) It was high time we diversify our shoe collection. :)
- Posted By: Gina
Shhhhh….once in awhile, when no on is around ,I will tie my 6th graders shoes for her….it’s a secret though!
Wait till Cooper gets a “locker”…its tough.
Take care, have a great school year! Hope to see ya around!
- Posted By: Kirsten
Where did you get them? My kindgartener would really like them….and he can’t tie his own shoes either yet! We are working on it…..
- Posted By: Katy
Gina – Oh good, that makes me feel better! A locker? That just makes them seem so grown up! My heart goes out to you. :) I hope you have a great year as well, I still have a package for you!
- Posted By: Katy
Kirsten – Scheels! In the sport shoe department (I had no idea they had two different shoe departments!) in the middle with the kid sport shoes. They are $6.99 per pair and they have some great colors in stock. I hope kindergarten is going well for your little doood. (And for you too!) :)
- Posted By: Kirsten
Thanks Katy. I appreciate it. By the way, sheesh…..I should really check my spelling! The kindergartener is doing great….at least I think so. He has the male “don’t communicate one’s feelings” thing going on.
- Posted By: Katy
Mine too. The only thing I could get out of him the first few hours yesterday was “I farted at school. Right after Andrew did. It stunk.”
- Posted By: Kirsten
OMG! You just made my day! My guy would be so proud…. Of course, he would refer to it as a “rip snort.”
- Posted By: Katy
Hahaha, and we call it a “whiz pop”! Love it!