Write your First Day of School Memories, Win an After School Snack!

READ TO THE END OF THE POST FOR HOW TO WIN YOUR AFTER SCHOOL SNACK!

My baby just began kindergarten!!!

"But I'm not a baby," she tells me.

"I know. It's just something mamas say about their kids," I reply, and somehow this makes sense to her.

It all sort of snuck up one me. Lila goes to some sort of school or camp wherever we decide to stay for any extended period of time. It allows her to play with other kids, allows us to meet other parents. Brooklyn. Bocas. Buffalo. Atlanta. That coupled with the fact that her peers in every other part of the world we've lived don't start their school year until September, made it seem like just another school experience in another part of the world.

So when we enrolled her here in Salta, it didn't hit me that this is actually it. Lila is starting KINDERGARDEN!!!

She is beyond happy to go. "I'm just so excited," she repeated over and over on the way to the bus, on the bus, on the walk from the bus and through the doors of her new colegio. Not to mention, she's been asking every day for the past 2 weeks. "Am I going to school today?"

She was, in fact, so excited, that she didn't even mind wearing a uniform for school. All schools in Salta -- and I believe in Argentina as well -- require them. This is the girl who likes pink, bright colors and skirts or dresses. Pants are only marginally acceptable if they have stars on them. I thought she would hate it! Instead, she not only accepted dark blue shorts, white t-shirt, white knee socks and white tennis shoes, she embraced them.

Let's just say, few can rock a outfit like this as hard as Lila can.

Here's how the morning drop off went.

We arrive to see a woman in a navy blue sequined ballgown and full make-up standing at the door to welcome the kids. Lila hid behind Noah. Then, go further in the school to see the mob of parents and kids, cheering, kissing hellos and goodbyes.

Lila's teacher, Moira, greeted her wearing a pink princess dress. She kissed Lila on the cheek then introduced Lila to the class. "This is Lila. She's learning Spanish. So we'll help her with that. And she will help us with our English." Obviously, this is my translation. This entire morning was brought to you by loud, raucous, happy Castellano.

Then Lila waved goodbye, joined the circle of kids in their uniforms and that was that. She didn't even look up to see us again.

So in honor of Lila's first day of school, I'm giving away an after school snack of beautiful gourmet cookies from my old home of Brooklyn, care of Whimsy and Spice.

TO ENTER:  You've been hearing my stories all this time. Now I want to hear yours. 

Simply leave a comment here on this blog entry describing one of your First Day of School Memories. That can be yours, your child's, anything that in any way relates to starting school. If you feel shy about posting your writing online for all to see, you can also e-mail your entry to me. It doesn't have to be long or perfect. I just want to hear what you have to say.

A winner will be drawn at random and announced March 9, 2009. Winner recieves a Whimsy and Spice Classic Sampler box of cookies, biscotti and -- get this -- luscious espresso brownie laced with dulce de leche! Be sure to include a working e-mail in the designated space below (it won't be posted online, ply sent to me) so I can contact you for your address if you're the winner.

Can't wait to hear all your first day of school stories!