So today was Will's official first day of Kindergarten!! He's been super excited about this big day for months now! I'm so excited for him, but at the same time I am dealing with some crazy, mixed-up emotions. Mostly, I'm acknowledging that I am no longer the major influence in his life and I worry that I haven't prepared him enough for this big step. Have I taught him the importance of respecting your teachers and listening to your lessons? Have I instilled in him a love for learning so that we will welcome the new lessons with eagerness to find out as much as he can about the world? Have I done the very best I can to prepare him for the big, scary world? If I'm freaking out this bad over entering Kindergarten, can you imagine what a basket case I'll be when he's off to high school or college? Will just has this amazing spirit about him that I never want smashed, no matter what life has in store for him. I just want him to keep being Will.
There he goes down the street on his way to school with his little buddy, Danika (who also started Kindergarten today... they've been buddies their entire lives!), with Drew and his buddy Parker. Off they go, with no worries about what lies in store for them...
Here he is with Danika before they set off. Aren't they the cutest little things you've ever seen?! That's not really a question, that's a total statement! They are adorable! So sweet and innocent! So eager to start their new adventure!
This was Will every morning for the past week as he patiently waited for his turn to go to school. (Drew started a week earlier.)
Just look at my grown-up Drew on his first day of 3rd grade last week! This is why I'm so freaked out by Will going to school... I see the changes it brings and I'm not sure I'm ready for it just yet! Drew has grown from the most amazing little boy, into the most amazing young man. Not only is he handsome as can be, but he's smart and witty and creative and a great friend. Which is what made it all the more difficult for me when he came home from his first day of school and said he'd been bullied by 4th graders on the playground. It scared him so much that he couldn't sleep that night and wound up sleeping in our bed until 4 am (something that has NEVER happened! Not even when I was nursing did I allow my boys to sleep in our bed.) The next morning Jeff and I went and talked to the principal, and I checked out every book I could find and researched every website I could find looking for tips on how to help him deal with this new situation... Then he came home from his 2nd day of school as happy as can be and ready to forget all about the bullying incident! I was awed by his gumption! The entire incident was probably harder on me than it was on him.Which is just fodder for my previous whining about Will going off to school and beginning his new path that will inevitably separate him from me. He's been my little buddy for the past 5 1/2 years and I can't imagine what I'll do without him! Thank goodness it's just a half day because I really don't know what I'd do if I couldn't play go fish, snuggle during Sesame Street, or go for bike rides to Mavrick with him. I realize he's not gone for good, I'm just saying that this is the beginning of the road to independence... and I just hope we're ready!
3 comments:
This is why I had 4 kids-cause I just can't let go! It is so hard to close this chapter of one's life. Fortunately school is SO FUN these days that Will will love every minute of it. Even though I will still have Beckett at home, it will be very hard on me to send Eden. She has been my partner-in-crime, shopping and lunch companion for the last 5 1/2 years and I will miss that so much. It is all day kindergarten here. Anyways, I feel your pain. BTW, I am glad that the bully thing ended for Drew.
First of all I have to say that is one sweet 80's ponytail she has going on, on the top and to the side doesn't get any better :).
I was told sending my first to Kindergarten would be so sad, but after reading this, I am thinking the last will be much more difficult. He is so grown up and so sweet, then they come home from school having learned all kinds of horrible things, some good, but mostly mean things from the other kids. I am soooo nervous for 1st grade, much more nervous for the whole day than just 1/2.
I am sorry about the thing with Drew. I feel like we spend all of our energy trying to teach kids to be nice and control thier need to bully other kids, and it is just sad that it happens way to much. I hope everything turns out alright, he is a tough kid.
I am dying that Will is in kindergarten already. It seems like just yesterday that I received the Christmas card where he played the baby Jesus because he was a NEW BORN. Time flies!!! I love the picture of Will and Max.... so sweet! Also, I am surprised at the resilience of children. I would've been just like you when I heard about Drew's bully experience....upset. BUT I would have went the totally other direction, instead of trying to find positive ways to help Drew deal with it, I would have went down and told that kid off. Making a fool of myself and embarassing Drew. Your way was much better.
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