Getting the first and last item in a python for loop

from calendar import Calendar

cal = Calendar(6)
month_dates = cal.itermonthdates(year, month)
for date in month_dates:
    if (is first item):     # this is fake
        month_start = date
    if (is last item):      # so is this
        month_end = date

from calendar import Calendar, SUNDAY

cal = Calendar(SUNDAY)
month_dates = list(cal.itermonthdates(year, month))

month_start = month_dates[0]
month_end = month_dates[-1]

for i, date in enumerate(month_dates):
    if i == 0:
        month_start = date

month_end = date

month_dates = cal.itermonthdates(year, month)
month_start = month_dates.next()
for month_end in month_dates: pass # bletcherous

month_dates = cal.itermonthdates(year, month)
month_start = month_dates.next()
for date in month_dates:
    pass
month_end = date