The First Day of Kindergarten

Tomorrow is Elena's first actual day of kindergarten. On Wednesday she went from 9-9:45 to get acquainted with the teacher, and four other students. Our neighbor from across the street will be in her class, also. I am interested to see how tomorrow will go, as I believe that I will be leaving her at the door. This has been the tough part in the past, the dropping off. At least she will know someone in the class and she met a girl on Wednesday, too. She has been quite excited to start, and it has been a big deal for her to be starting kindergarten. I am glad - there does not seem to be the anxiety that has been there in year's past. For me, either! I guess I feel confident in her teacher and in Elena. I know she will do well. I am also relieved that it is only a half day. Not the popular opinion of most parents I have talked with about that, but I think that is making it easier, knowing that she is only there half day. 

Rewind to September 2013

Looking Back

It is amazing to look back a year and see how different they look - how little! What a great time to compare and think of the year gone by and be sentimental about the milestones ahead.

 With Grandpa for his birthday.

 So excited to take a trip to Iowa in the Jeep!

 Maren loves her LuLu. And taking pictures of her with LuLu!

 Playing with toys at Grandpa's

 At Jonquil Terrace Park on the roll-y slide

 Gotta love that big cheesy grin. This time the babies are going down, too.

 One morning while Elena was at preschool, I got my flute out and let Maren have a try. This is her on the piccolo, which is harder than the flute. I can't really play it any more. But Maren had a great time working on playing both of them. 

 Had to include this snapshot I took from the parking lot, watching Kirk and Maren walk around the building. Sometimes - sometimes often - I get that feeling in my chest, how little they are, how precious these days are and I want to remember them that way forever. If only I could freeze time. How blonde and tiny she looks!

 What on Earth?? You might ask. Well, this is the Famous Spicy Square. This is the little patch on Elena'a beloved Blankie (it's a girl, I've learned) that she scratched and rubbed and eventually wore off of her blanket. You can see where it has been stitched back on. She wanted a picture of it to remember it.

 Elena made her very own creation from Diego and Dora blocks. Love how proud she was of this!

 Heading in for the first day of 4 year-old preschool (2013) with Ms. Edyta and Ms. Jill

 Playing in the classroom.

I really liked the way they eased them in this year. For forty-five minutes, they came in with half the class and a parent and got used to the teacher and classroom.

 Sitting at circle time. She brought her lamb from Meme's house with her.

A budding Picasso at work.... or play

Maren and I went and had a little treat to celebrate Elena's first day

..

That first day and the anticipation of it... exhausting.

A nap for a girl who does not nap. Except the first week or so of school.

On the preschool playground together.

Maren's first day of 3 year-old preschool 2013 with Ms. Diane and Ms. Penny.

Love that little smile. Was she nervous? 

I don't think so. She told me later: "Mama. I taught myself not to cry."

I got to be there on the very first day so I got to snap pictures.