Different

Tomorrow I'll be taking Little Dog to start kindergarten.
We'll wake up in the morning, just like I did with Big Dog.
We'll eat first-day-of-school cinnamon rolls in our jammies, just like I did with Big Dog.
We'll get dressed in the first day of school outfit, just like I did with Big Dog.
We'll collect up the required school supplies, just like I did with Big Dog.
We'll get the specially packed lunch complete with a little note to tell him I love him, just like I did with Big Dog.
We'll get into the car and drive to school, just like I did with Big Dog.
We'll take lots of photos before we even get to the classroom, just like I did with Big Dog.
We'll find his seat and get him settled, just like I did with Big Dog.
We'll take so many more photos his eyes will roll and he'll wish me out of the room to start his day, just like I did with Big Dog.
We'll go to the library for the PTSA coffee while still trying to get my head around how it is possible I have a child old enough to be attending public school (much less two!), just like I did with Big Dog.
We'll collect ourselves, dry our eyes and head to work, just like I did with Big Dog.
We'll agonize all day about how he is doing, how his day is unfolding and how much of a fight it will be to go back or come home (depending on how that unfolding went), just like I did with Big Dog.
But even if it is exactly the same in action, it is completely different.  Because Big Dog is my older boy, my first to do everything, my big kid, the one I expect to grow up. And Little Dog, no matter how old he gets, no matter how tall he grows, will always be my baby and for some reason that makes this all completely different.

(I'm also agonizing about Big Dog starting 2nd grade with his two best friends no longer at his school, but because he is who he is, I'm fairly certain he'll be just fine.  He's a trooper who fills my heart with sunshine.  Well at least when he's not making me completely nuts.  Aaaah, kids.)