Giving Him Wings

Jack's first day of kindergarten

You know the saying, "Give your children roots and wings"; well, today was our first step in helping our little bird fly on his own. Jack is officially a kindergartner! He was so excited this morning to get dressed in his uniform and he looked so handsome that I just couldn't stand it.

Today was a short day, just from 9-11, where the students got to meet the teacher and new friends, get acquainted with their classroom, and learn about the routines of kindergarten. We left for school 45 minutes early (it should only take us 20 minutes to get there) thinking that Jack would have time to play on the playground before the bell rang for the Pledge of Allegiance. I don't know what was up this morning, apparently the traffic gods were against me, because traffic was AWFUL! AWFUL, AWFUL, AWFUL! I sat at one light for 10 minutes without moving. That is when I bailed and went a different route, all the while thinking "I can't believe we are going to be late for the first day of kindergarten!" I flew to school, pulled into the parking lot as they were calling the students off of the playground, wheeled into a handicap parking spot while calling out to Jack "Get out of the car quickly". We both hustled up to the front of the school and joined his class with about 2 minutes to spare. A little too much excitement for this mom. However, I do feel better because tonight I learned that the other kindergarten teacher was caught in the same traffic and was running late, too.

The whole school recited the pledge and school mission statement together, and then the kindergarten parents were allowed to walk with their children to the class. Walking down the hall, the significance of the moment hit me and I nearly lost it. Fortunately, I kept my composure because I thought Jack might be concerned to see me bawling in his classroom. All the children got settled at their tables while all of the parents were in the front right corner of the classroom snapping pictures. I turned around and started laughing because we look like the paparazzi! The children were looking at us like we had lost our minds (and maybe we have). No wonder the teachers didn't want us hanging around for more than 10 minutes =).

Jack had a wonderful first day, but being the man that he is, there were very few details shared. I asked all the questions about stuff that we girls want to know, but all I could get out of him was that they had doughnuts for snack and he played with his good friend Gracie on the playground. I am friends with the mom of one of the girls in Jack's class, so I have a feeling that she will be my source for information this year!

Jack's favorite part of his uniform was his backpack. It is a cool Star Wars backpack!
When did he become such a big boy?!?! If I could just keep him this age forever, but then there is the whole "give him wings" thing.

Will saw Jack's backpack for the first time this morning and immediately asked where his backpack was. I was so thankful that I had a Diego backpack (Will is really into 'Diego Go' right now) stashed away. So I pulled Will's backpack out and he was so proud that he had to wear it all morning. Here he is eating his yogurt for breakfast.
I just look at that darling little face and remind myself to soak up every minute. Far too soon, it will be time to help the baby bird test out his own wings.