CENTRAL FLORIDA — Is there any feeling like seeing your kids head to school for the first time?
All the anticipation, preparation and anxiety have led to this: Do they have all the supplies they need? Are they ready to spend all day with new kids and teachers?
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Some of us at WFTV know the feeling.
WFTV parents Nancy Alvarez, Shannon Butler, Christopher Heath and Martha Sugalski are all sending their kids to Kindergarten this week and know a thing or two about the last-minute shopping and the wave goodbye on the first day.
Full of a lot of emotions...my oldest daughter began her first year of her last year in high school today and the Big 3...
Posted by Martha Sugalski on Friday, August 10, 2018
The preparation
Every parent knows what it's like to go back-to-school shopping: Aisles and aisles of pencils, markers, notebooks, gadgets and clothing can be daunting.
The shopping struggles, victories and then more struggles:
Where is the Mommy Juice aisle while shopping for school supplies...asking for a friend... pic.twitter.com/JNofIzcfrp
— Martha Sugalski (@MarthaSugalski) August 3, 2018
The ONLY way to keep her brother occupied while she tried on school uniforms: give him the phone and let him take...
Posted by Nancy Alvarez, WFTV on Tuesday, July 31, 2018
Back to school: that magical time of year when pencils, paper, binders, and crayons easily add up to $125 ✏️ 📚 pic.twitter.com/BlWowIGrDY
— Christopher Heath (@CHeathWFTV) August 4, 2018
Read: Student with cancer inspires book by New Smyrna Beach teacher
One of the best days of the year! Picking a new lunch box for school always was well thought out. It took a while to get...
Posted by Shannon Butler WFTV on Sunday, August 5, 2018
Oh, you should have seen me! Walked up to Customer Service at Target like a BOSS. Why? 👊🏼 💁🏻♀️ Because I ordered...
Posted by Nancy Alvarez, WFTV on Tuesday, August 7, 2018
Nailing the **perfect** look
Her first before school haircut is in the books! She was a champ. I, however, was a maniac! I was so obsessed with Ms....
Posted by Shannon Butler WFTV on Wednesday, August 8, 2018
"She already picked out her first day of school outfit," Shannon Butler said. "It's a uniform so it's not hard -- but which bow to wear in her hair has her stumped still!"
"I, on the other hand, will wear sunglasses even if it's raining," Shannon said.
Read: Asbestos, chemicals found in Playskool school supplies sold at Dollar Tree, Amazon
The night before
With such a big day ahead... how can your child possible sleep when the next day brings so much back-to-school excitement?
"Bed time for the start is around 7:30 p.m. which is Mommy's bedtime anyway since I wake up at 3 a.m.," Nancy Alvarez said about her daughter's big day. "We have been 'counting sleeps' until Kindergarten. Every morning when she wakes up, she asks 'how many more sleeps?'"
Shannon Butler's daughter has been asking "how many sleeps" as well."
"The night-before routine will be: To pray that she actually goes to bed before 9 p.m.," Shannon said. "I won't sleep at all!"
Read: 9 recipes for quick, easy and healthy lunches to pack for your kids
It is time. Yes I’m a sap. Big sister and Daddy are bathing the Big 3 and I’m getting all their stuff ready for...
Posted by Martha Sugalski on Sunday, August 12, 2018
The big day
Game time: The first day of school is here.
"I am afraid she is nervous about going to a new place, where she only knows a few people," Shannon said. "I want her to have the best day ever and what if some girl is mean to her?"
So today was the last day of Kindergarten Bootcamp, prepping them for what is just on the horizon for the next school...
Posted by Martha Sugalski on Thursday, July 26, 2018
For Nancy Alvarez, she'll be rushing out of the WFTV studios as soon as Eyewitness News This Morning signs off to walk her daughter to class.
"I will race out of that newsroom so fast you'll think it's on fire!" she said. "How can you describe watching your heart walk away from you? There are no words."
Nancy had a few words for Kindergarten when she watched her son start school two years ago. The Facebook post went viral -- and it's a feeling many parents can relate to:
For any parent who's ever let go... today, next week or ever. Sharing this for you: Dear Kindergarten, I see you. ...
Posted by Nancy Alvarez, WFTV on Wednesday, August 10, 2016
WATCH: Back to School Tips for Parents of First Time Students
Read Nancy's new message to Kindergarten as her daughter heads to Kindergarten:
For any parent who’s ever let go. Sharing for you...❤️ Dear Kindergarten, I hope this note finds you well and ready...
Posted by Nancy Alvarez, WFTV on Thursday, August 9, 2018
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