First Day of Kindergarten

It is here. The first day of Kindergarten. My baby boy has begun his journey into the Texas public school system. My emotions are mixed. The day started off a bit more jumbled than I had hoped. Both boys were wide awake by 5 AM. My alarm was set for 5:30. I had hoped for an hour to myself, a chance to do some chores, wash and fix my hair, drink a cup of coffee and mentally prepare for today’s big childhood milestone. This did not happen. Instead, both boys woke up at approximately the same time. Both needing their needs met immediately, of course. One needs food and a new diaper, the other needs cortisone cream rubbed into the areas behind his ears and neck where his poison ivy has flared up in the night. I didn't want to give him benadryl the night before, for fear that he would oversleep or be too groggy in the morning. However, I did not expect him to wake himself up before dawn.

My back and neck are incredibly stiff after yesterdays free dance day at Ballet Austin. Between the ballet and West African Drum dancing, my body aches. I was incredibly slow getting up this morning, but duty called, so I obeyed. I was an irritable mess (not unusual in the mornings), but everyone else seemed calm and cool. Gavin was clearly nervous, but kept a great attitude and stayed positive. He was mentally preparing himself for being shy. Casey and I assured him that it was everyone’s first day of school and lots of new students would be just as shy as he is. This seemed to calm his nerves. He ate a large breakfast of waffles, blueberries, and chocolate milk. I would have liked to squeeze in some protein. I’ll be better prepared tomorrow.

Parents drop their students off in the gym, where they line up next to their teacher. By chance, Gavin was chosen to be the line leader this morning. Line leader is a great start for him,  he does rise to the occasion when given the opportunity to lead. I see this more and more now that he has his very own baby brother to teach and guide. All the Kindergarten classrooms are upstairs. They hang their backpacks on a row of hooks just outside the door. Gavin’s seat is at the head of his table. I watched him walk all the way down the hall and disappear in the Kindergarten hallway at the top of the stairs. Gavin’s been in full-time preschool for most of his preschool years, Kindergarten shouldn't feel so much different, but it does. I can’t quite put my finger on why, but I feel less in control. I have a feeling that his teachers will have a love/hate relationship with me. They’ll love my eagerness to volunteer and participate, but hate that I’ll be all up in their business - all the time.

As I walked back to the truck, the anxiety started to creep up.

Will someone help him tie his shoes? He’s new at it and it can take him a little while and he gets frustrated. I hope someone helps him tie his shoes. I’d hate for him to trip on the sidewalk or down the stairs because the laces are hanging down.

Will he have adequate time to get his wiggles out? Because he’s got a lot of wiggles. He needs to move his body and run and play ball. Will he have time for that today? And if he does, and his poison ivy flares up, will he be comfortable enough to tell his teacher that he feels itchy? Will she remember to send him to the nurse for an application of the cortisone cream I left with her this morning?

Will he like the hot lunch? Or will he wish he had brought his own lunch?

Will he make friends? Will he be able to control his temper and not get himself in trouble? I guess I have  the 13 years to get used to this.

walking up to the school

feeling nervous and a little sad to leave his family

Being shy.

Listening to his teacher.

"Bye, Mommy. Bye, Daddy."

UPDATE: Gavin's first day could not have gone better. I am so relieved! I arrived at the parent pick-up spot before he did. When he saw me he smiled and waved. Both his teacher and an Asst. Prinicipal made it a point to let me know what a great kid he is. He followed directions and was well-behaved. We walked home, something we won't do again until it cools off. It's only a 20-minute walk, but it feels much longer when the sun is beating down on us. 

Despite the heat, Gavin was quite the chatter box. The first thing he told me as we started walking away from the pick-up point was, "Mama! I made three new friends. Not right away, but kind of right away. I don't remember their names." It made me very happy to hear he got along so well with his new classmates. 

I did my best to ask open-ended questions. I don't think he's ever been so forthcoming! He enjoyed the playground. They sang songs and he was able to describe the book his teacher read during storytime. He liked his lunch and thought it was really cool that he was given a choice of white or chocolate milk. He chose chocolate, "because it's sort of a treat, right mom?" 

He says he is excited about going back. So far I am pleased with his teacher's organization and communication. Gavin will begin receiving homework assignments next week. I'm excited about this next chapter and am looking forward to helping Gavin grow into a great student.