Puzzle Description:

First day of school today, for some school districts. It's so hard to have to go to school when warm weather beckons you to come play. Even harder if you get to school and realize you forgot your lunch. Thanks, Mom!

#1: wendy herndon (wendyherndon) on Aug 10, 2009

Oh, such a good one. We've got two more weeks!

Thanks, Wendy. I decided a nice easy one was in order today. I feel bad for the kids who have to go back so early. And even more so for the kids who have to go to summer school in addition to regular session. But education is a good thing, in an environment that fosters imagination and creativity, and respects differences in abilities and learning styles. Too many classrooms are run in ways that quash children's love of learning.

Here's a salute to all the teachers out there who still know how to make learning fun and do not allow economic, political, or bureaucratic difficulties to interfere with their important mission in the lives of the children in their classrooms.

And a salute to the moms and dads who get to send their kids back to school and can regain a bit of peace in their lives.

And a really BIG salute to the parents who homeschool their kids - now THAT's dedication. I couldn't do that myself, I chose instead to advocate. I'm still having to advocate for them.

One more special salute to the teachers and parents of children who are challenged either emotionally or intellectually.

Loved it!...and advocating, be they homeschooled, state schooled or private schooled...doesn't end until they can do it for themselves. For five of the six of ours that was sometime after their freshman year of college...and then there's our Joe. Sigh.

Thanks, JoDeen. Two of my kiddos will never be able to attain independence, so I will advocate as long as I am able. After that, hopefully my other son will take over. Is your son Joe needing lots of assistance? My daughter is 35 and in a day program where she gets to take classes like Drama, Art, Music, and Ceramics. She loves it, especially Drama as she is the original Drama Queen! Life is full of wonderful opportunities, if you are capable of looking, or if you have a really good advocate. :-)

really nice. School starts here in a week or two too.

Thanks.

What a great little story told in such a simple puzzle. Very clear images.

Thanks, BlackCat. Little Poochie is wondering why he can't go with them, and will be waiting expectantly until they come home. Mom has mixed feelings, mostly relief. Now she can catch up on laundry and webpbn. :-)

This is a very sad puzzle, somehow I can see the kid's long faces and I don't know why the dog is so happy to see them go. Education is good, but this is very sad. May be mom could take them to school being that's the first day? The backpacks look heavy, OMG I'm going to cry, seriously.

The dog is alert but not happy, just hopeful that maybe there's a chance he can go too. In a few minutes, he will be sulking, waiting. Poor puppy. Poor kids. Jota, go get more tissues.

Sad - that is how I felt when I had to go to school on the first day of 1st grade. I walked with my 3 older brothers. It was only 6 blocks away, but it seemed like a long walk, at six years old. Back then we didn't have backpacks and had to carry our books back and forth every day. I felt so lonely, because I was so shy. INFJs probably all felt this way.

When I went to kindergarten, it was at a different school. My Mom would drive me there, dropping me off in the morning and picking me up at noon. One day she dropped me off on a day there was no school, and I had to sit there, all by myself, and wait 4 hours for her to pick me up again. Sniff, sniff. Don't cry, Jota. I survived by conjuring up an imaginary friend named Fred, who kept me company. :-)

OMG I think I'll ned anti-depressants now, what a "sad" story. Do you really remember or is the memory from "having heard" the story ...

Yep, those are real memories. I can remember experiences from when I was 3. But there were more happy memories than sad. And I really liked school. I was good at pleasing the teachers, and loved to learn, and was happy to take home good report cards for my parents' appraisal. :-) I was lucky to have three big brothers chaperon me on the walk to school, because there was a mean bully on one side of the street, and a scary dog on the other side.

School starts on Tuesday here. A hot lunch is served for free so no one needs to bring their own.

Good puzzle. I am so glad I don't have to go to school anymore!

Thanks, Adam. I don't miss the structured system of the classroom in elementary school at all. I loved college, cuz it was liberal arts, all classes I enjoyed and opened my mind. And I love learning. It's so cool to have libraries and Internet with almost unlimited resources. I wish schools could once again instill the joy of learning in kids.

great job. that one was a good outcome

Thanks, Harris.

this is a great puzzle - so expressive. i could tell what the picture was going to be before i solved the kids. the mom's staunch stance, holding out the lunch bag. just a few pixels and you were able to illustrate a whole story.

A fabulous image ... with so much movement. Thanks for the terrific puzzle.

It actually looks like you've portrayed different levels of enthusiasm. The oldest, sullen with hands in pockets. The middle child, resolute, walking with purpose. The youngest, taking off with enthusiasm, so much so, that the lunch was forgotten. Mom probably thinking "Finally!"

Ga, thanks - I'm glad you enjoyed it.

Brian, you saw exactly what I intended to portray. (✬‿✬)

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