and she's off.....

Sending your children to Kindergarten is such a milestone.  They start school 5 days a week, learn things like reading/adding and start to become the independent people they will be for the rest of their lives.  Since I was a Kindergarten teacher, I am fully aware that some kids are READY for this transition and some are NOT.  Well folks, my sweet Sammy, falls into that READY category.  If she could have started Kindergarten in June, she would have.  It was like watching grass grow waiting for her first day of school, especially since it was 3 weeks after Cooper started. 

We have chosen to send Samantha to the same private Kindergarten program Cooper did at Hillside Church.  She will have the same teachers Cooper had, whom I have become good friends with.  I know the program backwards and forwards, can cite the daily schedule, feel very comfortable with it all yet I STILL CRIED as my baby stepped out of my van on day one.  I guess no matter how wonderful the program is you are sending your child to, it is still emotional thinking of your baby as a Kindergartener.  I am so proud of the confident, loving and sweet child Samantha has become and I know she will have a fantastic year, I am just still trying to wrap my head around the fact this time has come. 

All that being said though, I chose the program that runs from 9-1 so I still get lots of girl talk, snuggle time and princess play every afternoon, which I cherish.  I know she will have a fantastic year and for that, I am thankful.  You cannot always choose your child's teachers but since I could this year, we did and I am thrilled.

Good luck sweet girl. 

First Grade!!!

 I was so nervous that Emme would come close to her due date and I would miss "meet and greet" at Cooper's new school.   I was scheduled to have Emme on Monday, the event was the following Thursday.....just enough time to be released from the hospital, pop a pain pill and go meet Cooper's new teacher (whom we had hoped ALL summer we would get!!!).  Emme being the sweetpea she is, came the Friday before....on her own time.  So, I had a full 6 days before "meeet and greet".....making me a happy mama!!!!!

 Cooper got his letter in the mail the day Emme was born telling us he would be in Ms. Waldron's class.  We were thrilled!!!!!!!!  Ms. Waldron has a fantastic reputation, is a mother herself and is involved in the Teach 21 program, which I knew would appeal to Cooper. 

 

I was so nervous for Cooper to go to school on the first day.  It was his first time on a bus, in a cafeteria, in a BIG school and with a class of 25 kids he did NOT know.  He was nervous too but very excited.  I could tell he was curious about this new environment but also a little apprehensive.  He came home on the first day happy and excited but it took a full week to really feel comfortable.

Now, one month later (I am behind), I can confidently say Cooper likes riding TO school on the bus, has made many friends, loves Bascomb and feels comfortable in his new school.  Like anything, I guess it just takes time....for mama and Cooper.  I miss him SO much during the day though, 7:45-3:30 Monday through Friday is a LONG time to be away from my sweet boy.  He comes home exhausted but happy, which is all I could ask for.  Now, if I could go with him, I probably would but since that would be weird, I stay at home thinking about him and his new adventures.  I have been IN the school a few times each week to volunteer, which I am thankful for.  As for all things in life, this is one of those things you MUST do and I am thankful he enjoys it and is happy.  However, when I stop to think about my sweet boy in First Grade, I cannot believe how time flies.  It seems like yesterday I was watching him take his first steps.  What a good reminder to cherish each day because before too long, he will be packing his bags for college.....oh NO!