This is one of my favorite posts from last year about this time. The orange backpack continues to return home each morning pulled now by a four year old who still isn’t in school.
Once upon a time there were three backpacks.
A brand new yellow one.
A brand new green one.
A hand-me-down orange one.
The brand new yellow backpack was packed with enthusiasm and was to accompany a first grader to his first day of school. This backpack was carefully chosen by the first grader for it’s bright and sunny color.
The brand new green backpack was packed in tolerance and was to accompany a third grader to his first day of school. This backpack was chosen by the third grader because his best friend had the same one.
The hand-me-down orange backpack was stuffed in frustration because it’s 3 year old recipient was too little to go to school. This backpack was handed-down because the 3 year old was upset and a bit tantrum-ish he couldn’t choose a new one.
The first day of school arrived and the boys’ mother pulled out the camera to take pictures of the event. The first and third grader posed with the brand new yellow and green backpacks as successfully as a first and third grader can pose on the first day of school.
The first day of school arrived and the 3 year old pulled out HIS hand-me-down orange backpack. He demanded to be included in the pictures.
The brand new yellow and green backpacks and the hand-me-down orange backpack were all placed in the back of the minivan and hauled off to the first day of school.
The boys’ mother again coerced photography on the group at the school’s entrance.
The brand new yellow, the brand new green and the hand-me-down orange backpacks were all pulled into the school.
The brand new yellow backpack went to first grade.
The brand new green backpack went to third grade.
The hand-me-down orange backpack went back home.
Back at home the 3 year old required a bit of extra hugging – backpack and all.
{ 21 comments… read them below or add one }
It was the best of times, it was the worst of times.
sigh.
Oh, poor little orange backpack.
Orange backpack is mighty cute. Too little and all, for that big boy backpack.
That’s the cutest dam story ever. That first shot of the three backpacks – priceless. It totally had the clickability factor. As soon as I saw it, my mouse finger got sticky.
Can’t believe school season is here!
that is truly the saddest story ever.
I hope that when you got home you gave orange backpack some ice cream and some special time with Holly. Even if the ice cream would ment and make a yucky sticky puddle all over orange backpack.
Ah, poor kid. He looks so dejected to be left out! Little does he know, he’s got the good end of the deal!
I just want to hug that little orange backpack and never let go – sweet boy.
Ugh. Seriously heartbreaking.
P.S. your minivan rocks.
Soon enough, orange backpack. Soon enough…
Holly, I like the cut of your jib. Your style. The way you do things. Yes I do. Whooo! WHOOOO! You’re on the hot tamale train! Yes you are! YES YOU ARE! WHOOOO!
ahem (sorry. way too much SYTYCD)
I’ve read roughly 700 back to school posts over the past few days.
This one is so completely YOU. I love it.
Poor little 3 year old. When my older boy started school, my younger screamed “WANT Buddy!” pretty much non stop until he came home again. It’s hard for the littlest one.
We are certainly going to have to do something similar when the 5 yr old starts kindergarten this year, and the 3 yr old has to stay home. So sad for the littler ones.
I think it’s great that your school allows backpacks with wheels and handles. Ours explicitly doesn’t. It seems like an awful lot for the little ones to carry, frankly.
Poor little orange backpack…
Orange Backpack, it will be okay, and one day, you might not be so enthusiastic about going to school, believe it or not.
For now though, enjoy all the mommy time you can get.
Once upon a time I was an orange backpack.
I love this post.
Aw, poor little back pack just wants to be like his big brothers. So sweet… Hope everyone still had a good day!
Aww – the pain of being left out. I’m the youngest – I know all about it…
AWESOME story Holly! But just think of all the fun the Orange Backpack will have while the Yellow & Green backpack are at school
Before orange backpack knows he will be a veteran too, stuffing his bag “in tolerance”
Aww…
I would give the hand-me-down orange back-pack and the underage boy pulling it stubbornly along a hug, too.
My kids start school next week. It will be really weird with only 2 at home during school hours. Poor Rosalie (17 mo), she is Sara’s (14) shadow. She was very clingy this summer when Sara went to grandma’s house for a few weeks. I can see her thought process-big kids keep disappearing, mom says they are at grandma’s, but I don’t know what that means or if they are coming back…