Anna's First Day of Kindergarten

What a day! What a day!

First, let me say that I am so proud of Anna today. She was so brave and calm and even excited as we walked into the school this morning for her very first day. We took her in the main doors where aides were waiting to take them to their kindergarten classes. We were able to stand around a little while all the kids walked in. We took some pictures in the school and then before you know it, they announced it was time to go. We ended up walking behind the classes and saw Anna and her classmates out in the hall listening to directions from their new teacher. She saw me and we exchanged silent "I love yous" and then as she was walking in a few tears came to her eyes. She gave me a hug and then walked in. The tears dried before they fell and once she was at her table, she was good to go.

For those that know my super sensitive heart, I was very calm today. I was able to keep it together and not cry in front of Anna. I got a little teary as I watched her in her group this morning and then after we left her in her room, I was a bit more teary... Okay, I was crying, but not a lot.

Before school, our closest neighbors have always gathered for pictures. We were so happy that they invited us to join them this year. Anna had a shortened day and didn't need to get to school as early as the others. However, she still wanted to participate in the pictures. So we got her up, did her hair and got dressed. We went over to our neighbor's house and took group pictures. They then went on to school and we came in and ate breakfast, fixed her nails and made her lunch (she plans to take lunch 3x/wk and eat there 2x/wk). We went outside right before taking her so we could take family pictures.

After dropping her off, Dan went to work and Owen and I went to a friend's house. She had invited other kindergarten moms to come over for coffee and pastries. We ended up telling our "first day" stories, learning more about each other and basically, keeping our minds off the fact that we just dropped off our babies to their first day of kindergarten. It was so nice to go over there because I really needed the diversion.

Owen and I walked over to get here after school and she told me about her day. She told me about her new classmates, what she did in P.E. and that her teacher read to them. She even wants to go back tomorrow. She would, however, like one short day, then one long day and then have days go just like that - long, short, long short... she kind of thought today was long... She only went four hours, usually they're seven hour days. Yikes!

I have poured out my heart in prior posts, so I hate to do that again. I just am so proud of my baby girl and how she so bravely walked into her classroom today. It gives me hope that somehow along they way, I was able to provide her with a safe, happy environment where she could thrive and then go out into the world still feeling the comfort that we are there behind her every step. I love her. I love her so much. My Mommy heart is full tonight.... Happy first day, Anna...




















(Peyton, Anna, Cael, Gilli, Alex)

(Mrs. Mullenbach & Anna)