Kindergarten Begins

We had a big, busy, fun and eventful weekend focused nearly entirely on back-to-school. I picked the kids up early Thursday so Clark could get his 5-year well child check, and we learned that he's in the 8th percentile. He may be little and goofy, but he sure is ready for kindergarten. I went to kinder parent orientation and met his teacher Thursday night, and she is YOUNG! Fresh out of college young, and very sweet. Friday morning he got to meet her and while he did pose for a picture, he requested "no touching!" and insisted on showing off his newest Pokemon card.

Aurora was just as excited to meet her teacher, but this was not a first time meeting! In second grade she was in a collaborative classroom with Mrs. Stueve and Mrs. Kephart. She ended up with Mrs. Kephart in third grade and Mrs. Stueve in fourth! We got a picture in front of the big VVE balloons and left with a kinder yard sign.

Sunday night we read the Night Before Kindergarten, sprinkled Ready Confetti under Clark's pillow, and got lots of sleep before the big first day of school. Both kids were up early, packed their own lunches, and headed outside with time to spare - especially considering the bus stop is IN FRONT OF OUR HOUSE THIS YEAR!!

Both kids are in Easy Care (Valley View's after school program) and when I went to pick them up, they were super happy and clearly had a great day. Clark said his favorite part of school was lunch, because he got peanut butter and croissants, two of his favorite foods. His least favorite part was that he didn't get to go outside to see the eclipse, he only got to watch it on TV and didn't have a very good spot to sit. Ahhh well, I showed him pictures from Facebook and Instagram.

I can honestly say that the best thing we have done for Clark was put him in the Valley View Pre-K program these past two years. He has been eating lunch in the cafeteria, playing on the playground and in the gym, and he wasn't a bit apprehensive about the bus ride (it probably helps that his sister was with him!). I have several friends with kindergarteners who had anxiety (and a few tears) today, but we were all smiles.