Kindergarten - First day - last part

So we all loaded up and headed off for the big drop off. There were tons of parents...we had to park 'off road' in a field.





So we go in and Parker's teacher shows her where to hang her backpack and where to put her lunch box. This will be her routine every day I guess.

She was the only one at her table that had arrived, and I was a little worried about that....her being willing to sit alone while everyone else trickled in, but she was fine. We gave her hugs and kisses. And then more hugs and kisses and she sort of gave us a look like "ok, that's enough. Get out of here before I cry". So we did one more hug and kiss and hit the road.

At the appointed time, I went and picked her up in the carpool loop. She seemed a little drained, but said she liked it and had a good day. She was very hungry and had a granola bar, sun chips and 2 things of peaches. I need to figure out a filling snack that won't spoil her dinner. Maybe we'll try popcorn tomorrow. Hopefully her calorie management will even out soon.

When we got home she learned her best friend had ridden the bus home and she had a huge meltdown. Might have just been a bit of a stress release, but she is VERY anxious to ride the bus. All the kids here ride the bus to and from school....and I intend to let her, just not the FIRST DAY. It's a very sore subject. Parker's friend did ride the bus TO SCHOOL her first day...got right on the bus with her sister and her parents couldn't convince her otherwise. They had to get in the car and follow the bus to school so they could walk her in and do their traditional pictures!

She's also very interested in 'cafeteria food' and what it is and how you get it. Right now she's taking her lunch, but I can see letting her get cafeteria food once a week or so. None of it looks all that healthy to me....but I guess I can replace my junk for their junk once a week.

So it was a lot of buildup...but you only have one first day of Kindergarten, and I think we soaked it up and got the most out of it.

Kindergarten - First Day - part 2

Parker's first day of Kindergarten FINALLY arrived. Aside from a few minutes of hysteria when she was overtired over the weekend, she is really ready to get started. She had a good breakfast and got dressed in the outfit she picked out. We loaded up her lunch and her backpack and went out front for the customary picture.

She wasn't complaining about her shoes....but she didn't like the way her socks looked, and she was walking like a duck. I think they might be a little big. We we did a shoe change.

I've been hesitant to let her wear her 'running shoes' since she can't tie them....but then we figured out that we could double knot them and they'd be fine. Duh. She doesn't take them off, so it doesn't matter that she can't untie them w/out help either.

Take two. The official photo:

At Meet the Teacher, Parker's teacher read us The Kissing Hand - a story about a little raccoon's first day of school. His mother kisses the palm of his hand and tells him that if he misses her during the day, to just press this palm against his cheek, and it would be like a kiss from her. The teacher requested that we do this with our kids before school. Parker really enjoyed the idea of kisses from us on her palms. She'd get extras and put her arms around herself for hugs.

The rest on part 3

Kindergarten - 1st day - part 1

You might have to click on the picture to see it larger...as it grows, the size it uploads shrinks. Next year I'll have to start a new row I guess.
Parker has grown a TON since last year, hasn't she? She's possibly even taller than she seems in the pictures....she was leaning against the door.
All went well today. No tears or drama....and Parker handled it well too, haha. I'll post a blow by blow report tomorrow when I have more time. I used my extra free time today to enjoy menu planning and a trip to the grocery store without help or company. Tomorrow is Target and Costco! Whoohoo.