First Day of School

Look who's ready for kindergarten!

Zach's first day of school was just a one-hour orientation with the kids and their parents.  There were a lot of scared-looking kids!  Zach was SO excited to be at school and he had a big grin on his face. But he wouldn't let go of my hand for several minutes. And then he saw the Legos. 

As I filled out his information sheet, my little Zachary informed me that he wants to go by "Zach" from now on.  (Sigh.)  

As we left orientation, Zach got to choose a pencil to take home.  He chose the sparkly yellow one. The teacher handed me a sweet poem to read when I got home:

"I gave you a little wink and smile as you entered my room today.

For I know how hard it is to leave and know your child must stay.

You've been with him for five years now and have been a loving guide,

But now, alas, the time has come to leave him at my side.

Just know that as you drive away and tears down your cheeks may flow,

I'll love him as I would my own and help him learn and grow.

For as a teacher, I too know how quickly the years do pass.
And that one day soon it will be my turn to take my child to class.
So please put your mind at ease and cry those tears no more.
For I will love him and take him in when you leave him at my door."

Oh.

I knew all along that the first day was just orientation, not really school yet. So it hadn't really sunk in yet that my little Zachary was going off on his own.  That was Monday.

Then on Tuesday, two big chunks of my heart went out the door to get on the school bus.  I wasn't overly emotional.  It's a good part of life.  Maybe the poem helped. I love living in a small town and personally knowing my kids' teachers. And bus driver. And lunch ladies. And friends.

But Jonathan still received the "please help Zach" lesson about twenty times that morning. 

 Jonathan showed Zach right where to stand while they waited for the bus. "Remember Zach, don't move until the door opens."

At this point I switched my camera over to the video feature. And I'm glad I did. I think Zach was a little excited - notice his arms right at the beginning: 

Off they go!  As we settle into our new routines, I'm excited for our boys' new adventures that await. 

(And now my two babies at home are getting a lot more hugs than usual.)