So when did this happen? My baby girl, my everything, has started school.... WHAT?!?! Why do I feel like this is the beginning of the end? Why do I feel like I will never see her again? Is this normal?! Why am I bombarding myself with questions like, "Is she ready, did I prepare her well enough? Did I teach her to protect herself against strangers and bullies? Will she be respectful and obedient to the teacher?" This is my first time to send my first child to her first day. Thank goodness it only happens once, the next ones better be a lot easier!!
Here's Avery calling Nana and Papa Ron for one last good luck wish as she was walking to Kindergarten.
Avery is very blessed to have in her class five of her best girl friends from the ward. Emma, Emma Jo, Andrea, Caitlyne, and Brielle.
There are also four boys from the ward starting Kindergarten, Gabriel, Kayden, Trenton, and Blake. Three of them are in her class as well, and the other is in all-day Kindergarten. Here's Avery with her good friend Gabriel.
Avery, Brielle, and Caitlyne line up outside the classroom door waiting for their teacher to let them inside. As she walked in she took a quick glance back to wave at me and then yelled, "Bye, Mom, I love you!" I just about lost it. Replace sunglasses now.
Then we all walked back home without her. The boys rode bikes.
Daddy was teaching the boys his cool tricks. Stet was rippin wheelies, and Gage was so determined to get that front wheel off the ground. He kept saying, "Watch, Mom, k?"
Meanwhile Mommy and Lexis just waited....and waited....and pouted, and wondered what Avery was doing every minute. I remember thinking, "I think it's probably getting close to time to go pick her up." That was at 9:38. She'd been in class for 38 minutes. Boy, they were long minutes.
See? Even these two thought so.
Finally it was time to go. This time all the parents were lined up outside the classroom like a flock of hungry seagulls. Mrs. Williams waited for each child to show recognition of someone they knew before she let them leave the classroom.
Avery didn't even look at me or Danny. She saw Stet and got so excited. She ran right up to him and gave him a huge hug!
We're so proud of you, Avery and we're very excited for this new adventure for you! We know you'll do great! Thank you for an unforgettable, un-regrettable five years with you, all day, every day, and for the wonderful example you are setting for your younger siblings. You have taught us much about love and life, and lovin' life.
