First Day of Kindergarten

And ... she's off. Last night we packed her backpack, made her lunch, set out her clothes, had Mr. Nick give her a back to school blessing, and snuggled and talked about being a little bit nervous and how to make friends. This morning we walked to the bus stop this morning where we met about half a dozen other kids ready for school. Miss Lu did great: she introduced herself, told them she was going to kindergarten, and generally exuded excitement. 

When she climbed on the bus she didn't look back. As the bus drove away and all the moms waved, you could see the kids looking out the windows and waving. And when Lucy's window passed by, the only thing you could see was half a head—nose and eyes—poking up and looking out the window. 

I walked back with the other moms (who were really nice and offered their moral support on sending off a kindergardener), hopped into my car, and drove up past the school to my friend Joyce's street (which dead ends right above the school parking lot and has a convenient path leading down—way easier than trying to park down by the school). 

Miss Lucy and I had talked about the plan: I would stand out of the way down by the playground, so I would be there if she needed me, but she would find her way down from the bus herself. The bus pulled up, I watched as she made her way down and headed off ... past the stairs that led down to the kindergarten wing ... and just when I was about to go up and find her and bring her back I spotted her coming down the stairs. She was so excited as she figured out where she was that she ran right into the classroom (missing the fact that the kids were lining up outside with their teacher, Ms. Whitaker). But then I saw her come back out of the classroom and get into the line. As she was waiting I came over and called out a hello. She turned around, spotted me, and gave me a big grin and a wave. Thumbs up were exchanged all around. I told her I was proud of her and to have a good day and then moved out of the way. A minute or two later the kindergardeners marched into their classroom, and that was that. I'm so proud of her!