First Day - "the big one"

Whew! This was a big day! Kindergarten. No going back now. School years will start to rush by. I remember back when Grace was about two weeks old. I had this sudden realization of what was ahead of me (us). I actually thought to myself, "What did we do? What were we thinking? How can we be completely responsible for another human being's every need? This is too big." Obviously, I talked myself down off the ledge and we took it day by day. And lo and behold, that little two-week-old is almost 6 and starting kindergarten. Yikes! As this was approaching, I was quite nostalgic and also apprehensive. Had I prepared her for everything? Was she going to be okay away from me for 6 1/2 hours every day of the week? (AZ has all-day kindergarten). As a teacher, I tended to "poo-poo" nervous parents when I met them, patronizingly reassuring them, "Everything will be just fine." Now I was on the other end, and suddenly the thought of turning over my child to someone else, who I barely knew, seemed highly irresponsible. We drove by the school, we met the principal, we talked to neighbors, we began to feel comfortable. We pumped it up to Grace and she grew excited, with just a little bit of anxiety. The night before kindergarten started, I was blue. I looked through her baby book, and just thought that after this moment, things would be different. Not necessarily bad, but different. My mom always said that when we entered a new phase, she mourned a little while, then discovered a new freedom. It's true. Today was free of sibling rivalry. :0)

So, here are some pics and more reflections on our first day :0)

the kindergarten playground - the dropoff zone
backpack shot - Ariel pack and matching lunch tote (so fashion-forward)

school girls

Line up for class - boys' line and girls' line

She walked right in and found her seat. No tears, except for a few in my eyes :0)

I was thankful as the "meet the teacher party" didn't go entirely as planned (see later entry).

Before we left in the morning, Gracie was eating her breakfast, looking thoughtful. I asked her what she was thinking about. She answered, "My brain is telling me what a good day I'm going to have." Ha! You go girl!

Then we gathered as a little family to pray. She looked up, rolled her eyes at me and said, "Mom, I'm fine. You don't need to pray for me."

I told her, well then we're praying for me :0)

Nice, huh?

I had a Bible verse all picked out in case she needed some encouragement.

Isaiah 41:13 "I am the LORD your God who takes hold of your right hand and says, "Do not fear; I will help you." That verse is such an encouragement to me.

I was going to give her a "kissing hand." This was from a preschool story where the mom kissed the little girl's hand and if the little girl felt nervous or scared throughout the day, she could hold her "kissed" hand up to her cheek and feel better. Gracie ended up giving Hope a "kissing hand" and marched right into class unafraid.

We are celebrating our little girl's new phase, excitedly with some happy tears!