Today, as for many of my friends, was a rite of passage for me and for Alyssa. Today I took my oldest child to Kindergarten. That's right, Alyssa started Kindergarten today. She was so excited. I am also excited, well 95% of me was excited. The other 5% of me was freaking out and emotional. I know this is going to be a great adventure for us. I know she is so excited to make friends, learn new things, and be part of this. For that, I am excited for her. She has been especially bored these last couple of weeks, so I am happy that she will be busy and be learning. We don't have a lot of kids her age in our neighborhood, so I am excited for her to make new friends...and I know she will. Of the 25 or so kids in her class all but 7 of them are girls. Alyssa isn't shy, so I know she will be making friends.
There is however, that little tiny part of me that is emotional. My first baby is no longer a baby. Four or so years ago when she was just a baby and we were living next to an elementary school, I watched as the kids started their first day of school each year. I remember thinking to myself it will be a long time until this little baby of mine will be going to school. And here we are...reaching that milestone in our life. There are a few things about her, the way she says a few certain words and her innocence that I am afraid will change and grow up way too fast now that she is in Kindergarten. That's why I am emotional. From here, there is no going back. My mother-in-law always tells me when my kids do some darling little thing or we are looking at how quickly they grow up, "We shall never pass this way again." I think of this phrase a lot. Its true, we shall never pass this way again. She will only be 5 this one time. That is why I tried to make the most of the summer. That is why I take video of my kids and scrapbook pictures with as much journaling as possible. That is why I have a journal for each of my kids where I write things down--so I can remember the cute things they say and do.
This morning we got up and got ready. I took this picture of her outside our front door before we walked to the school. As we walked she was practically skipping in front of me. She was thrilled to see all the other kids walking to the school. As we were walking we saw Jason running down the street towards us on his way back from his morning run. She was shouting, "Daddy! Daddy!" I could hear the excitement in her voice.
When the bell rang and we were allowed inside the school I was a bit relieved to see all the other moms taking pictures of their kids. I snapped these two pictures of Alyssa in front of her class and sitting in here chair.
Then it was time for me to go. A moment for me that was filled with a bit of emotion. Luckily, I am so happy for her that I didn't cry all the way home. Just some watery eyes and a full heart.
4 comments:
She looks so cute! I can't believe she's 5 either - this is the same kid who used to come over to use our bathroom? :)
She is so cute! It almost makes me wish I had a girl to dress up cute like that. It is so hard, you are so excited to have them grow and learn, but then you just want them to stay little with you. I sometime wish I could just freeze time. I would have bawled when I dropped my oldest off at his first day at kindergarten (could that really be 4 years ago) had it not been for my friend up the street. She and her kids walked with us, so I had to save the tears till I got home.
Thanks for that post--I am weeping at my computer. The picture of her walking away kills me. When Jackson walked into the school today I couldn't keep it together. It's just so sad that one part of his childhood is completely over. She looks so cute (especially the hair bow!).
How exciting and sad...all at the same time. She looks adorable and you are going to love all the new things she comes home and teaches you!
Post a Comment