The First Day of School

Maybe I'm being overly dramatic, but I feel like we've just entered an entirely new phase of life:  We have a kindergartener.  I'm sure Kreg would be the first to tell you I've been moody about this day for weeks now-- worrying about every little detail of what's to come.  Sigh.  I know better.  I just can't help it.  In addition to the worrying I've been mourning the passing of my staying-at-home-with-babies-exclusively phase. We're tied down to a school schedule now so that will inevitably change things.  We'll be missing our Westin half days Monday- Thursday... it will change the dynamic at home.  

Before you plan an intervention for me, let me assure you I do realize it's not as bad as I'm making it out to be!  I do pledge to do better with my attitude and will work on embracing this new phase of life for all the excitement it has to offer.  I wouldn't want to miss out on any of the joy of this phase because I'm missing the last one!  We will get into a new routine and we will love it too.  

So, Westin started school today!  I shared some special time with him last night after his bath before I said goodnight and he was SO very excited.  Not an ounce of apprehension in that child-- he clearly didn't get my worry gene, thank you, Lord.  We read The Kissing Hand by Audrey Penn and I only teared up slightly.  Wes kissed my hand when we were done reading it so I'd have all his love and kisses anytime I miss him-- he obviously knows I'm going to be the one who needs the kissing hand, not him! 

Westin is attending The Classical Academy here in the Springs, just a few minutes from our house.  It's a charter school with an emphasis on classical learning, character and values.  We've been so pleased with every interaction we've had with them so far and are thankful for such a great option in our community.  I think my favorite thing so far has been the way they do the first day of Kindergarten... parents go too :) So I suppose before I get too happy with myself for making it through the day without tears, I should remind myself that I still have yet to drop him and leave him.  However, the first day was a success regardless.  Kreg has meetings in Denver all day today and tomorrow so he wasn't able to come, but I spent the morning with Westin helping him get settled in and I'm so thankful for that special time!  Special thanks to Nanny Kortney for keeping my little ones!

On the way in we said a prayer together and I touched on the things we discussed at our pre-back-to-school-date: that he will learn to be a great student, a great leader, a great helper, and be a blessing to the people he sees each day.  The ONLY time I teared up all day was when he asked if he could say a prayer for me before we got in the carpool line.  I wish I had it recorded but it went something very close to this: 

Dear God, please protect my mommy's heart while I'm at school so she doesn't miss me too much and please make sure someone helps her when she's at the grocery store.  Amen. 

Goodness what a sweet boy I have!

A big part of today's "practice" was practicing the carpool line... so I dropped him off in the carpool line, parked, and met him in his classroom.  When I got in there he had already found his seat and was waiting patiently, all smiles.  I'm kicking myself because he had a precious gift for his teacher that I didn't get a photo of-- but he gave his teacher a little terra cotta pot (decorated by himself) of yellow mums and she was delighted.

 We got all of his supplies put away and guess what book was read for story time?  Yup.  The Kissing Hand. Are you as shocked as I am that I held it together?  It was very sweet, and Westin had lots of input, of course, since it was fresh on his mind.  We did a little craft together to go along with the story when we were done and then he was off to recess while the parents finished up a few things with his teacher.  Then it was off to practice the carpool pick-up process.  

 I'm so thankful for a great start for Wes, and for me.  I know this new phase will come with its own challenges, but I will choose to focus on the blessings that come as well.  It's hard to be too negative when my boy is so excited!  Wish me luck tomorrow, friends.