It was time.
Time for kindergarten.
Katie got out of bed that morning and the first thing she said while bouncing
up and down was, "I want to go to kindergarten, RIGHT NOW!"
Then she got all serious and her next words were,
"Am I going to learn how to read today?"
To say that she was excited about school would
be an understatement.
Finally, after hours of semi-patiently waiting, it was time
to head to the bus stop.
Off we go!
"YAY! I CAN'T WAIT!"
"It's okay, bud. Don't be sad. I'll be back
after school."
Finally, after an agonizing wait of about 5 minutes,
the bus pulled up.
There is only one other kindie kid that gets
on the bus with Katie. As the bus driver motioned for the kids
to enter the bus, Katie practically knocked him
down sprinting to get on the bus.
True story.
Her bus to school is not a standard size bus,
and so it has seat belts.
Katie plunked herself down and before I got on board
she had already buckled her seatbelt and
was working on tightening it.
She plunked her bag on her lap and was ready to go.
I gave her a kiss, said good bye and we got off the bus.
And with a smile and a wave......
.....she was gone.
She's only had two days of school so far. But, she has really
liked both days. They've read stories, colored and drew pictures,
done some projects, sung songs and she even has "recess".
There hasn't been much mention
of "making friends" - but there is a girl
that sits behind her that has a fairy backpack.
She doesn't know anyones name except
the teacher and the kid she rides the bus with.
She seems okay with that. So, I'm not pushing it.
She does admit that there are some "boring parts."
Specifically the first day when they had to "learn the
rules of the school" and the time they spend in the morning
"going over the calendar and counting the days we've been
in school."
All in all, she's only had positive things to say.
I'm so proud and yet kinda sad at the same time.
I'm elated that she feels so secure and confident. That she had virtually
no fear of getting on that bus and traveling to a new place
filled with totally unknown people.
I'm sad at the fact that we get to spend less
time together. That she now has a part of her
life that is going to be a semi-mystery to me. I'll only get my information
from what she decides to tell me about every day. I know the "three R's" are important,
but I'm sad that she won't have as much freedom at school to
choose what she wants concentrate on - like art; which she really loves.
But, I guess this is just the beginning of many such
journeys for us.
She's totally cool with it, it's just me that has to get used to it.
