Kindergarten!

I knew this day would come, but I still can't believe I have sent my oldest to Kindergarten.  We weren't sure if he was going to be able to get in until a week or so before school started, but Soren was able to get into Ensign Elementary, which is the school I went to as a kid.  We are zoned for Washington Elementary, but it's not as good a school as Ensign, so when we found out they had room for him, we were thrilled!  I was especially glad because I thought they had a half day class, rather than full day.  But when I registered him, they told me it would be full day.  I wasn't too happy about that, but there wasn't much I could do about it.  I just wasn't sure Soren could pay attention all day, as he tends to get bored with things easily.  He thought full day meant he would get home just in time to go to bed, so he wasn't happy about it, either.  But when he saw the playground, and when he found out he'd still have time to play outside at home after school, he seemed to be okay with it.  We went over to the school on Sunday to take these photos of him before it was swarmed with other children, and I'm glad I did, because the first day didn't turn out the way I had hoped.

School started at 8:35am on the 25th of August.  Our friends, the Jergensens, told us to get there early as the parking lot tends to fill up quickly.  Gabe and Maddie were still sleeping, so that was good, but Brooke was awake and insisted on going with me at the last minute.  I wasn't going to fight it as Mom was out on her walk and Sean was in his office on a phone call.  So I loaded her up in her pajamas and the three of us were on our way.  I thought I had left with plenty of time, but wasn't prepared for the amount of traffic on the way.  It's not far away, and should only take about six or seven minutes to get there, but getting down State Street and up Second Ave was a nightmare!  Then when we got there, there was absolutely nowhere to park.  We ended up a block and a half down the street.  I blocked in someone's garbage can, hoping the truck wouldn't come in the next little bit (which it didn't, fortunately).  While I was getting Brooke in the stroller, we could hear the school bell ring.  I tried to get Soren to walk a little faster as we headed for the school.  Fortunately, there is a tardy bell five minutes later, so between the first bell and the tardy bell is when the classes lined up and all the parents took photos of their children going to their first day of Kindergarten.  All the parents, except this one.  I felt really bad as we got there just in time to hear the teacher say, "Ok, tell everyone goodbye.  We're going in!"  Here is the photo I got of his first day...

I felt like the worst parent ever!  He had a slight look of concern on his face, but I hugged him and told him I loved him and I'd see him on the playground after school.  He got in the end of the line didn't look back.  For a couple hours after, I kept crying.  I'm such a baby!  I don't think I was as sad about him going as I was just mad at myself for not getting there earlier.  You only have one first day of Kindergarten, and I missed out on taking all those photos!  I was so glad I had at least gone the day before to get the photos I did.  I was also upset because it was a full day.  If it were only half day, I don't think I would have worried so much, but I was so nervous about how he would do.  Would he like it?  Would he be ok?  Would he listen to his teacher?  Would he be nice to the other kids?  That was the longest day everrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr!!! 

Fortunately, I had a couple distractions to get me through the day.  One of my Power Squad friends, Becky Baird, had called and said she was in town for a short time.  She wondered if I was close enough to downtown to come say hi.  She now lives in Florida, and we just don't get to see her often enough!  So when Sean finished his morning calls, we jumped into the van with the Gabe, Brooke, and Maddie, and went to meet up with Becky outside the Blue Lemon for a few minutes.  It was a short visit, as I already had plans to go to lunch with my visiting teachers for my birthday, but it was great to see Becky.  She is so much fun!

 
We hurried back so I could go to lunch with Pat Peterson and Rebecca Sykes, my wonderful visiting teachers.  We went to a place called Niche on 300 South and 800 East.  The food was good, and it was nice to just visit and not focus on the worry of how Soren was doing at school.  The time went much faster than if I had just been at home pacing the floor.  When we were done, it was about time for me to pick up Soren.  I got there early enough this time to get a parking place and walked up to the playground where I was going to meet him.  Not long after the bell rang, Soren came bounding out of the school with a big smile on his face.  He hugged me and was happy!  I was so relieved!  He said he had fun in class and he liked school.  Hooray!!!  It made it so much easier to send him the next day, knowing that he enjoyed it.  Since my first day of school pic was so pathetic in the morning, I took a picture of him after school with that big smile on his face.  I think I will be able to forgive myself for arriving late.  Soren doesn't seem to be holding any grudges. 

Now the days go by a lot faster.  We still miss him during the day, but I'm so glad he's having a good time.  He's been coming out of school every day with a smile on his face and he gives me a big hug.  On Friday, Brooke went with me to pick him up.  I hugged Soren and said, "Hi Buddy!" and then Brooke hugged him and said, "Hi Buddy!"  It was so cute.  Good work, Soren.  I'm so glad you like Kindergarten, and I love you!