We survived our 1st week!

Well, as many of you know my first born started Kindergarten last Monday. I must say that it was a much harder transition than I expected (for me). I really had been looking forward to the day all summer. I had talked it up and gotten him all excited about all the things he would learn and do and how much fun he would have being around other kids all day. I was excited about spending some girl time with my daughter, just me and her. I looked forward to being able to focus on getting to know her real personality without big brother around. All this being said... Monday hit me hard!

Actually, Saturday hit me hard. We had orientation on Friday, met his teacher, went through a mock day of meeting all the coaches, music, art, and computer teachers. Uh... kindergarten has changed a little. It went great. We got the teacher that we requested, everything was well organized. I would consider the day a success. We followed orientation up with a trip for just the 3 of us to go see STAR WARS The Clone Wars as it was opening day. A great day was had by all.

I awoke Saturday and decided to begin getting things ready for Monday. I wanted to finish up chores and such. As the day wore on, I felt heavier and heavier. I started getting anxious about sending him off. I missed him already. I thought about how much little sis was going to miss him. I thought, "what if he cries when we leave? Do I really know these people I am leaving my child with?" Luckily I have been working sporadically at the school for a couple of years and did know some of the people. By Sunday morning this was little consolation. And by Sunday night I was completely gloomy. We went to bed with everything ready to go. Backpack full of supplies, lunch box waiting to be filled, nap towel complete with his monogrammed name and the perfect outfit ready for wear.

The morning went smoothly. And at about 7:30 with backpack on and Spiderman lunchbox in hand we took some pictures and headed out. The saddest of these pics was of the goodbye sibling hug that looked very pitiful on both ends. I held on! We unloaded at school. He was excited, but nervous I could tell. He held tight to my hand as we walked him to his class. We were greeted at the door by his teacher who took his picture and led him to his desk. They showed him where to put all his things and he sat down at his desk. We gave him a kiss and a hug and as I said, "I will see you this afternoon" he looked at me with eyes that I knew would cry without much encouragement. I quickly smiled big and turned to head out the door. Hoping we would make it out before he cried. We waited in the hall a couple of moments and peeked back in to find him coloring happily at his desk. A big boy. Completely ready to meet his new world and new independence.

I made it to the car before I fell apart. I honestly felt like I had forgotten part of myself. I smiled and cried all the way home. Proud and excited for him and mourning my first small separation from my baby boy. I am sure this is the first of many milestones that I will spend smiling for him and crying for me. Just part of the grand design I guess. I can only take him so far. There is much more work for me to do, but I know every year it will be a little more independence for him and some level of loss for me. But I know that the pride I feel as he succeeds will fill that void. And I will be there any time I am needed.

At pick up that afternoon. he said he had a good day. He missed us, but had fun and that is about all the information I could get out of him. Boys! I know that he has gotten a happy face everyday on his report that comes home and he was good at nap time because he got to sleep in the reading rocket... whatever that is. It is the first time I haven't known what he did all day long. It is new, but it is fun, bittersweet. We have a project to work on this week. Making a poster all about him to share with his class. He finally said that he likes his teacher a lot! And he is making friends, as I hear a new name daily. He was glad to have "2 whole days off." Of course the rain is hampering a great deal of activity, but we are surviving and by Wednesday I didn't cry at all.

As for baby sister, she loves her private time. Baby dolls instead of legos cover my house all day. Beads, dress up clothes and various princess and ballet costumes are worn all day. We went and got her hair cut, painted our nails and watched movies without any battles in them. It is a quiet house with one child in it. It will take some getting used to. I miss him, but I am so proud of what a good boy we have raised so far. One major milestone down. I need a few years before I tackle another one.