The big kid world

Our summer has been incredibly busy. We have been getting ready for Kindergarten for a long time. We have talked, prayed, and "played" Kindergarten for months now. Over the summer, the PTA put on a Popsicles in the Park for all the new Kindergarteners. It was good for London...and for me. We also had Meet the Teacher. "Ms. D" is her new teacher and she seems very sweet and excited about teaching. I have been praying for this woman for years now, and I just know she will be absoutely perfect for my London.

Monday, August 22 came very quickly. I never thought that day would come. I coudn't sleep at all on Sunday night. I was nervous, anxious, excited, and jittery all night. I got out of bed, got ready, and started breakfast. I heard London's alarm go off.  She turned it off very quickly (not her usual let it buzz for about 5 minutes, turn it off, and go back to bed). I heard lots of noises in her room. Then she came skipping down the stairs fully dressed. Shoes, socks, shirt, shorts, and even a head band. We ate, finished getting ready, and loaded up.

We got her a "first day of Kindergarten" present. We bought her a new watch and some bracelets. I'm proud to say she wore the watch every day last week.

The way she's holding her hands here just brings tears to my eyes.

We got to school and walked her to her room. I felt so happy for her. She was smiling and ready for this new adventure. I thought to myself--this is easy! What was I so worried about??

We made it to the classroom and posed for another picture.

Ms. D welcomed us and told London to put away her backpack, find her name tag, sit down, and play with her playdough.

And that is when I just about lost it. It was the playdough. Seeing her put her back pack away, find her seat, sit down, and start playing with darn play dough....I could barely hold it together. She smiled, kissed J and I, and waved good bye. We left. Leaving her there. I wanted to turn around, grab my baby, wrap her up in my arms, rush her back home, and put her in her crib. Safe and sound. But of course, that would be weird, so we left her. There. Alone. Ready to take on the world.

I had tears running down my face as I held Lily, and followed J out the doors. We made it to the car. I leaned over, hugged J, and let it all out.

I did finally get myself together and had a good day with Lily. I thought about London all day. I knew her schedule and knew exactly what she was doing. 2:30 couldn't get there fast enough. Finally, we headed back to school to get her. I picked her up, smiling, and ready to tell me about her day.

The week went really good. She is learning so much, making friends, and soaking up everything Kindergarten has to offer. Some things she said this past week:

**After school on Monday, I asked her if she was ready to go back the next day. She looked at me said, "Can I just rest tomorrow and go back on Wednesday?"

**Mom-we learning about fossils! Do you know what fossils are?

**I have kept my three cubes all week! I'm a good girl!

**Ms. D has "D" dollars and I got one today!

**Can I have a play date with my new friends on Saturday?

**We read a book about a little girl named Petunia. Have you read that book?

**Can I ride the bus now?

**I do not want to go shopping after school. I'm exhausted.

**I LOVE music!

**We played a game about 7 Up in gym today.

**A little boy in my class cries all the time.

**There are a bunch of kids on the playground when I play. How am I ever going to get a chance to swing?

**My new friend "S" and I are going to ride our bikes to Sonic over the weekend. You can come too!

 **I'm ready for the weekend.

So far, my prayers have been answered, and London is enjoying school. I do miss her during the day and when I go and pick her up, I can't wait to see her little face, and give her a big hug. I'm so proud of her, and I love that she loves school. What an exciting year this is going to be!

Seems just like yesterday....