I love Kindergarten!
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That's it. The last of my children has entered the world of academia (ok, if you consider coloring and being read to academia). People have been asking me questions all week: Did he cry? Did YOU cry? How does it make you feel to have your baby go off to school? How does Noah like school?
1. He didn't cry. He found his friend Mia and the two of them have been inseparable ever since, requesting each and every day if one or the other can come over to play. Without much more than a wave over his shoulder, Noah trotted off into the next phase of his life. No, that's not exactly true. He did sign "I love you" on his way into the classroom.
2. I did not cry. Truth be told, I got home and clicked both heels together in the air. LOL. He's the last of three, and for the first time in 5 years I had a two and a half hours of uninterrupted silence. My housework was done by ten! And the house actually STAYED clean! I had time alone to read Scripture, meditate and pray. No. I didn't cry.
3. My emotions are mixed. I didn't realize how much Noah had grown up until I saw him dressed and ready to go: pleated trousers... button down collared shirt... loaded with backpack. Somewhere along the line he went from toddler to young man, and I'm a bit melancholy over the fact that I can't put my finger on exactly when that happened. It feels like I missed something somehow, and yet I know I haven't. I was blessed to have been able to stay home with Noah full-time for all of his life. With my girls (16 and 10), I was a single mom, and not afforded that luxury. It's been a joy to spend each day with Noah, getting to know him, watching him become the person he's become. And still - time seems to have slipped past elusively. On the other hand, I look forward to what the days ahead hold for me. More time to study and focus on my relationship with the Lord, more time to tackle housework that I've put on hold for what seems like an eternity, and the possibility of re-entering the work force.
4. Noah loved the first day of school, but not nearly as much as he loved the second day. We drove him to school Tuesday, but on Wednesday he got to ride the bus. I've never seen him so excited! LOL... His exact words were, "I can't believe it's finally here! I've waited for this day my whole life!" - and so he has. Each year he has sat at the window and watched his sister get on that big yellow bus, just itching for his turn. I asked if it was everything he thought it would be. "Yes, and I even kept hitting my head against the window when they went over the bumps!" There ya have it. All is right in the world of five-year-old Noah.
My favorite thing about kindergarten is the way my son greets me when I go to pick him up each day. In spite of the fact that I have been home with him most, he is still a daddy's boy. He adores his father and if Joel is around, I'm chopped liver. I can deal with that, I guess (although if I said it's never bothered me, that would be a lie). Ah, but at the end of each class, I receive my gift. I watch the hallway, waiting for his teacher to lead the class out, single file. Since I have the advantage of being there first, I spot him immediately. I watch him searching the crowd of parents, seeking just one thing - ME. The way his eyes light up the second he sees me is worth a dozen hours of playing second fiddle to his dad. With a burst of enthusiasm he spreads his arms open as wide as they'll go and he runs - yes, runs - as fast as his little legs can carry him. "Mama!" he yells as he throws himself against me and hugs me with a fierceness that takes my breath away. Yep. That's my favorite part of kindergarten.
1. He didn't cry. He found his friend Mia and the two of them have been inseparable ever since, requesting each and every day if one or the other can come over to play. Without much more than a wave over his shoulder, Noah trotted off into the next phase of his life. No, that's not exactly true. He did sign "I love you" on his way into the classroom.
2. I did not cry. Truth be told, I got home and clicked both heels together in the air. LOL. He's the last of three, and for the first time in 5 years I had a two and a half hours of uninterrupted silence. My housework was done by ten! And the house actually STAYED clean! I had time alone to read Scripture, meditate and pray. No. I didn't cry.
3. My emotions are mixed. I didn't realize how much Noah had grown up until I saw him dressed and ready to go: pleated trousers... button down collared shirt... loaded with backpack. Somewhere along the line he went from toddler to young man, and I'm a bit melancholy over the fact that I can't put my finger on exactly when that happened. It feels like I missed something somehow, and yet I know I haven't. I was blessed to have been able to stay home with Noah full-time for all of his life. With my girls (16 and 10), I was a single mom, and not afforded that luxury. It's been a joy to spend each day with Noah, getting to know him, watching him become the person he's become. And still - time seems to have slipped past elusively. On the other hand, I look forward to what the days ahead hold for me. More time to study and focus on my relationship with the Lord, more time to tackle housework that I've put on hold for what seems like an eternity, and the possibility of re-entering the work force.
4. Noah loved the first day of school, but not nearly as much as he loved the second day. We drove him to school Tuesday, but on Wednesday he got to ride the bus. I've never seen him so excited! LOL... His exact words were, "I can't believe it's finally here! I've waited for this day my whole life!" - and so he has. Each year he has sat at the window and watched his sister get on that big yellow bus, just itching for his turn. I asked if it was everything he thought it would be. "Yes, and I even kept hitting my head against the window when they went over the bumps!" There ya have it. All is right in the world of five-year-old Noah.
My favorite thing about kindergarten is the way my son greets me when I go to pick him up each day. In spite of the fact that I have been home with him most, he is still a daddy's boy. He adores his father and if Joel is around, I'm chopped liver. I can deal with that, I guess (although if I said it's never bothered me, that would be a lie). Ah, but at the end of each class, I receive my gift. I watch the hallway, waiting for his teacher to lead the class out, single file. Since I have the advantage of being there first, I spot him immediately. I watch him searching the crowd of parents, seeking just one thing - ME. The way his eyes light up the second he sees me is worth a dozen hours of playing second fiddle to his dad. With a burst of enthusiasm he spreads his arms open as wide as they'll go and he runs - yes, runs - as fast as his little legs can carry him. "Mama!" he yells as he throws himself against me and hugs me with a fierceness that takes my breath away. Yep. That's my favorite part of kindergarten.
... my friend's mom loves to laugh at me dealing with my teenage daughter. I'll be completely exasperated with something one of my kids has done and she just chuckles, muttering about poetic justice under her breath. Apparently Jodi and I weren't angels growing up. 
We figure, worst case, she'll have a headstart on Kindergarten next fall. Best case? She's a year (or more) ahead of where she's "supposed" to be.