Tuesday, August 30, 2011

First Day of Kindergarten

There. I wrote it. Kindergarten. My baby went to Kindergarten today. Kindergarten, Kindergarten, Kindergarten. Look at me go!Just yesterday, I couldn’t make my fingers strike the keys and today I’m typing Kindergarten like a pro.

What a difference 24 hours has made for me and for Molly!

WARNING: Most of today’s pictures look just like yesterday’s pictures except Molly is wearing a different dress. But it’s my kid and my blog so I say: Redundancy be darned!

The day started out just like yesterday. Molly posed for pictures in her new dress….IMG_6537

…and showed off her new backpack….IMG_6538

and then the showed the dress and backpack combination.IMG_6539

Later, we moved outside for a leaving the house picture (with the dress and backpack).IMG_6540

On the way to school, I got the first sign that things were going to be fine. Molly asked me why it was taking sooooo long to get to school. The school is five minutes away.

Hmmm, maybe she’s excited???

Then she asked why she couldn’t ride the bus to school like the other kids. I explained that she is my baby and she only has one First Day of Elementary School in her entire life. I did not plan on missing it. She could ride the bus home. She could ride it to school every. single. day. this year, but today, I was driving her.

Once we were out of the car she was off and running. Well, walking. Quickly. Ahead of her mother who wanted to be there to witness the one and only First Day of Elementary School.IMG_6543

She agreed to pose for a picture outside the front door. I was relieved to see her in a much more relaxed mood.IMG_6544

I actually got a spontaneous smile at the front doors of the school. This might go very well. There is only one thing that could derail things now. But surly that won’t happen, will it?IMG_6547 We stepped inside the building. And that’s where we came face-to-face with my greatest fear: a crier. Poor little thing. She was so upset at the prospect of leaving her Mommy.

I felt bad, really I did, but I didn’t need Molly seeing this little cherub crying or the waterworks might start for her.

I had to divert.

“Molly, let’s go in the library. They have a stuffed Clifford! We can take a picture!”IMG_6548

And more diverting….”Ooooh, Molly, Look at all of the cool stuffed animals from your favorite stories. Llama Llama Red Pajama! If You Give a Mouse A Cookie! Click Clack Moo, Cows That Type!”IMG_6549

Once I didn’t hear anymore crying, we ventured out into the hallway. Crisis averted.

The school staff was in the foyer of the school, greeting the kids and walking them to their classrooms.  I am sure it was to reduce the amount of separation anxiety. Good Idea, I thought, but I will miss out on photo-ops. Darn.

Molly was grouped with a little boy from her class. When the staff member came to get them Molly gave me a kiss and hug and a “Goodbye Mom!” and she was good to go.

Except that’s precisely the time that the little boy standing with Molly started to cry. No, bawl. Wail. Scream for his Mom. Ugh! Two criers. This might be more that Molly could stand.

I looked at Molly and told her that he looked sad, and that she should walk with him so that he wasn’t so scared.

And you know what? It worked!

Off she went, down the hall with the crier. Despite the look on her face in this picture, she was very excited. She even turned back and gave me an excited wave a couple of times. My big girl!IMG_6550

There she goes. Not even a tear shed. Except by me. As expected.IMG_6551

When school was over, I met Molly at the bus stop. She was over the moon about her first bus ride!IMG_6552

She gave me a little curtsy before disembarking, then I got a big hug and the jabbering began. I got a play-by-play of the entire day. IMG_6553

At home, Molly enjoyed cookies and milk and a special little surprise.IMG_6555

The Sound of Music! Molly is into wedding dresses, veils and brides. The Sound of Music has a great wedding sceneIMG_6556

After snack, Molly showed off her schoolwork.IMG_6560 - Copy

And now, I’ll show off her schoolwork!IMG_6562IMG_6563IMG_6564IMG_6565

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We ended the day with a trip to Molly’s favorite restaurant for a little Chinese food.IMG_6665IMG_6666IMG_6668

She wanted on last picture by the fish pond before we left the restaurant because, “It looks Chinese, and I’m Chinese, Mom.”IMG_6669

And that was that. The first day of Kindergarten was in the can. Done. Finis.

My little baby is growing up. First, she old enough to go to kindergarten and then she gets all mature on me and has a seamless transition into the school year.

Next thing you know she’ll be getting braces or driving a car or some other crazy grown-up-girl thing.

I am so very proud of you Miss Molly!

1 comment:

Stacy said...

She looks so happy! So glad she had a wonderful day at Kindergarten. :) Miss you!