Kindergarten Kid

THE NIGHT BEFORE KINDERGARTEN

HE'S READY TO START SCHOOL!

What a day! With all the anticipation and excitement of what today would, could, or should bring, it truly was a day to remember. We've been counting down with Hayden and talking all week about how much fun he'd have starting school, and how he is especially lucky to be coming to mommy's school. After laying out his new clothes and helping make his lunch, we settled in to read "The Night before Kindergarten" and then he went to bed last night eager and ready for today to be here. And ready he was ... just before 6:00 this morning, he came running in to see me completely dressed with shoes on and everything - he was ready to go! So after getting some breakfast in him and taking a few pictures, I headed off to start my day a bit early and Hayden rode up to school with Daddy for his big, first day. All this time, I've been reminiscing about how fast the last years have gone and how starting school is such a big milestone .... I remember balling my eyes out on my first day (well, I think that continued until I was in high school .... no just kidding, but I do remember crying A LOT each first day of school). Anyway, I've had such mixed emotions about him starting, but mostly I've been excited for him because he has shown such excitement about starting school. This morning when he and Chris got parked and were walking up to meet me, hand in hand, I just looked out at my little boy with his lunch box in his hand and his "a little bit too big" backpack on and was completely overwhelmed with emotion. Writing about it now brings tears to my eyes, as I looked on with pride and as much love as my heart could hold. I just hugged him in that instant and felt so lucky to have been able to share in this day with him. With a few minutes to spare before I had to welcome my own students to my room, Chris and I walked Hayden to class and got him all situated at his table to start his day. With a quick kiss and hug, I left my baby to begin the adventure of his life (at least for now). What made the day even better was that I was able to see him a few different times walking in line and so I got to sneak in a few extra hugs from my sweet kindergarten kid.

Kinder Warm-Up

Today Hayden went to school for a "Kindergarten Warm-Up" which gives all incoming Kindergarteners a chance to warm-up to their teacher and classroom and new friends. What started out as a very confident little boy, quickly became an overwhelmed one with all the parents dropping off their own children. So with a little bit of coaxing, lots of praise, a whispered "I love you" and kiss blown across the room, I left my baby in the hands of a wonderful woman for a few hours today. When all was said and done and Hayden was asked how his morning went with his new class of friends, his reply says it all: "Mom, it was awesome!" Okay, guess I don't need to worry after all ... with a response like that, I think we're going to just fine next week for the real deal.