The First Day of Kindergarten

The long awaited day has finally arrived!  This is such a milestone and it's hard to believe that my baby boy isn't a baby any longer... he's 5 years old, intelligent, sweet and starting Kindergarten TODAY!

Last night, we packed Joey's lunch, laid out his uniform and set his alarm clock for 7am (that was a first... he wanted to wake up himself).  We read "The Kissing Hand," which is a children's book about starting Kindergarten and what to do when you miss Mommy and Daddy and then it was lights out.  Our first school night of the year.

Joey's alarm went off at 7am.  He was up right away, happy and excited.  He got dressed, ate breakfast, brushed his teeth, etc. and then decided he wasn't going.  Well.  Honestly, he wanted to, but I think he wanted some attention, so Dave and I reassured him and got him back on track with enough time to take a few pictures before heading out.

School Days

Joey's "thinking" pose (no, not grouchy/angry)

Cramming in a few more minutes of silly before school

Out the door.  Ready to GO!

We headed out the door at 8:15, fully expecting to drop him off in car line as instructed.  But when we got there, to our delight, we saw other parents walking up with Kindergarteners. So we parked and walked Joey to the gym, where each day starts with the school-wide Morning Meeting.  Dave, Abi and I were able to help Joey find his class in the gym and stand in the back to watch the Morning Meeting.  We are so blessed that he attends such a wonderful school.  Each morning, the entire school assembles and sits politely while the principle talks to them... giving gentle reminders about how to treat friends and their teachers, celebrating birthdays, singing the school song, saying the Pledge of Allegiance and singing You're A Grand Old Flag.

Waiting for the Morning Meeting to start.

Sitting with his class (only Kindergarten boys attended today, girls were yesterday and they'll all go tomorrow)

  After the Morning Meeting, Joey followed his teacher to his classroom and we departed for home.  I have to admit that both Dave and I had tears in our eyes (sorry to sell ya out, Dave).  As Dave later said, this is a life changing milestone.  Everything will now revolve around the kids' education and it's hard to believe this moment is already here.

And what does little sister, Abi think of this?  "Joey is in the garden?"  LOL  Actually, I'm sure she has mixed emotions.  When Joey was in preschool, she enjoyed quiet time alone at home, but she also missed her playmate.  Now that he's in school all day, every day she'll likely miss him even more.  But soon, Abi will start gymnastics and our Pray & Play group will get going again, so we'll keep busy too.

My sweet Joey, I wish you the most wonderful and productive school year.  Kindergarten will be fun, but it'll be some work too.  Please always try your best at everything you do during the day.  You'll learn to read and to do math.  You'll make art projects and go to P.E.  You'll make lots of friends and lots of memories.  Good luck with your first year of "big school."  I love you.  ~Mommy