Kindergarten... oh my!

"Mama- when I grow up I want to be a teacher and have a classroom right next to you!"

Kendra has been very excited about starting Kindergarten, very very excited! She was a little nervous last Friday at registration, seeing all the kids that will go to her school. We were able to meet Mrs. Hall, her teacher, and Kendra could not wait to get there. As we waited in line to meet her it reminded me of waiting in line to meet the Princesses or Mickey at Disney World. Every kid could barely hold still waiting for their turn. Kendra walked up and shook her hand and said, "Hi Mrs. Hall, I am SOOOOOO excited for Kindergarten. I am excited to read, my mommy reads to me everyday and night and I can read some too! My favorites are about Princesses and stuff." I am sure Mrs. Hall quickly realized Kendra is quite the talker and not very shy. After we met her purchased our new Cougar Wear and headed back to the playground. Kendra then introduced herself to the principal and assistant principal and thanked them for her ice cream bar.

Sunday night as Kendra was heading to bed I told her she was going to get to see Mrs. Hall again Monday for her assessment. I explained that she will get to practice her letters, counting, shapes and write her name.
Kendra- "Mama, how you know so much about sessments?"
Mama- "I'm a teacher honey, I give assessments."
Kendra- "Oh yeah..."
So on Monday, she finishes up and shouts to me, "Mama- I did my little 'a' perfect in my name!! and I counted as high as I can!!"

Tuesday night I head to the grocery store to find some lunch box items for the little one. Since she is one of few kids I know that won't eat anything peanut butter, this is a challenge. As I walk through the aisles I continue to tear up... by the time I was home to pack the lunch I was sobbing. Isaiah was very helpful as he laughed at me packing her lunch box as full as possible.(Kid can't go hungry!) I also felt much better once Isaiah tells me he thought people only cried about their kids going away in movies. We head to bed and I toss and turn all night waiting for the big day. Kendra on the other hand was asleep by about 7:30.

We get up and Kendra gets dressed and says, "WE ARE GOING TO BE LATE!" I tell her we still have a good hour before leaving and to enjoy her breakfast. She picks up her lunch box and says, "Mom this is WAY to heavy"... Isaiah again laughs at me and continues to laugh through the photo session for Kendra before we leave the house. We head to school and she can hardly wait! Once we get there and hike to the school through the chaos of morning elementary traffic we head into the gym. The kids line up and I chuckle to myself as I see Isaiah tearing up and getting out his own camera to take more pictures of Kendra. We march right out to the playground and all of a sudden it's, "1...2....3- BYE MOMS!!!!" and they march into the classrooms. I successfully marched around the corner before crying uncontrollably about my baby being all grown up. After 3 more tearful sessions of me crying at work, I head back to pick her up. There is not a better feeling then seeing your child run to you open arms shouting MAMA!!!! I asked her what her favorite part of the day was... "when you picked me up!" Other than that, reading, new friends, getting to eat a snack outside, music class and playing were runner up. She was a little concerned the "capateria" is crowded, but all around she had a great day! She did bring some left overs from the lunch box also =)

On that note- I am hoping that she will chose an in state college.