Oliver is completely fired up for Kindergarten. For the past month he has said that he "Excited and a little nervous" about Kindergarten. This past Friday morning he got to meet his teacher and see his school and classroom. On the way there when I asked him how he was feeling he said "I'm excited but a little nervous because I don't know what the teacher or my classmates look like" In response I said "well buddy, we are on our way to take care of that." He was on cloud nine to see his school, see his classroom and meet his teachers and new classmates. Over the weekend, his response had changed to being nothing but excited for Kindergarten. This morning, the first thing he said to me when he came into our room was "Mommy, I'm going to be really good at Kindergarten." Yes, buddy, yes you are!
The tradition has begun, the first day of school photos. Someday, he will tower over that window. For now, we will squeeze his cheeks and cherish the time before that happens and after as well.
For the record, I had nothing to do with this hand-on-hips pose. I can't say that I didn't beam with pride over my photo-cooperating-son. Remember the days when he refused to smile for a photo, let alone pose? Ahh... that's my boy!!
He LOVED this back pack. He had three Spider-Man bags to choose from and he narrowed it down to two, quickly. Then, he had very careful analysis of the two bags, their capacity, their functions, their secret pockets, etc. I believe that it came down the the attachable lunch box. What Kindergartner wouldn't find that to be fantastic?
You can dress the five year old up and send him to Kindergarten, but you can't take the bug lovin' boy out of him. Here he is, examining a spider web that was woven in the grass and covered in morning dew. He was amazed.
Then, again, he posed for a photo.
"Mommy, take this photo"
Yes! Yes, I will!
After we dropped Kellan off at his first day of Preschool, we took Oliver to a breakfast of champions for his first day of Kindergarten. He was so excited for Kindergarten that he could hardly hold still at breakfast. He was quite wiggly, giggly and beaming with happiness.
He also didn't want to remove his lips from his juice.
Ahh.. breakfast time. Waffles made special for him.
He ate like a champ and wiped it out.
At the school, we took super sunny photos in front of the school sign.
We took photos of the super cool back pack.
We took photos with the super cool neighbor girl.
Samantha lives right next door and she is in the classroom right next door too. It was so fun to see her on the first day of school. Stay tuned for a gazillion more years and you may see this photo with high school caps and gowns.
Meanwhile, while we waited and waited and waited for the teachers to take the kids inside, we over heard another Mom saying her son was catching frogs in the new outdoor classroom that was just across the grass from us. Oliver heard this, Keith heard this and their feet traveled them quickly to the frogs. It appears that the brand new outdoor classroom is already proving to be educational. The frogs are proving to be speedy. Do you see it jumping out of Keith's hand?
They weren't too speedy though because moments later Daddy had one in Oliver's hands.
The sun blew it out, but if you look close, you'll see a tiny frog in Oliver's hand.
(This is where I remind myself that I'm a Mama of boys and frog germs come with it. EWWW!!)
Then, just like that, it was time to line up and go in.
He didn't hesitate. He didn't cut in line. He hardly said Good Bye.
Just like that, he filed to the end of the line and followed his new classmates inside.
We didn't follow him. We let him go.
We watched him file into the school until we could no longer see his Super Cool Spider-Man backpack and attached lunch box.
He's Excited!
He's Confident!
He's a Kindergartner!
Us... well, we're excited and confident too. How can you not be when your oldest son marches into the school like he owns the place.
I can't help but thing, "We've done good!"
________________
Oliver
Today, you start Kindergarten. Today, you take on the world in your own way and away from the security of all that you have known. Today, you will take everything that you have learned and forge your own path.
We have many hopes and dreams for you, but at the end of the day, we hope for you to define success in your own way, for you to be a good person and for you to be happy. That's it. It seems quite simple, but really, it's a big mountain to climb. You have proven that you're a hard worker, you're focused, you're determined, you have a heart of gold and to top it off, you're one funny guy. You, You will Succeed!
Until today, I worried that Kindergarten would gobble you up. You're so intuitive and you're an observer. Today, I was the observer. You marched right into Kindergarten and took the bull by the horns. You will own Kindergarten, just like you will own your destiny. You are a true champion.
Be the friend that you would want to be. Be the student that you would want to teach. You will dazzle them with your brilliance. You will charm them with your wit. You are amazing.
We love you to pieces
Mommy and Daddy
______________________
Then, just like that... BAM... he came busting out of his first day of school.
He had a GREAT day.
The teachers said he was "so sweet" and "our little artist" and "we usually don't see kids at this age with the fine motor skills needed to draw and color like he does". Yes, Yes that's our boy.
What did he say he learned, besides that he loves the school, he learned that they "have a flip chart that has a #1 on it and tomorrow it will have a #2 and when they get to #100 they will have a party". It's all about perspective.
1 comment:
And did the teacher also tell you, "Not only does he have fantastic fine motor skills, but he's also the most handsome kindergarten boy we have"??? What a rock star! I predict multiple marriage proposals from little pig-tailed girls before their 100 Days of School party gets here!
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