Babies in Kindergarten

My Baby went to Kindergarten last week.

Not this baby. This is the "fake" baby that my daughter set out the night before when I told her to go lay out her clothes. Can we just take a moment to applaude creative, interesting kids? They make life a constant stream of adventures and surprises...around every corner. We did have to leave the tiara at home though...school rules....they don't match the uniform.

Ruffle socks? Check.

Cute, sturdy, Gymboree mary janes? Check.

Matching blue and white hair ribbons? Check.

Daughter who is so excited to start kindergarten that I was afraid she would spontaneously implode at any moment this summer? Check.

Finding her cubby...and admiring her teacher. She has waited long, long years to be in the "fancy" teacher's class. All her fancy dreams are coming true...look at the woman's shoes! I love this fancy teacher.

Do you remember the sheer exhiliration of having your own desk and pencil box with shiny new supplies?

She wasted no time and went right to work. On the way home that afternoon, she announced that the person who was supposed to sit next to her didn't come to school so she did their papers too! That is one lucky kid who sits next to the girl that will gladly do your work for you if you happen to be absent!

My friend and I stood in the back and cried some mom tears as we both watched our "babies" start kindergarten.

And I really did sob some tears...but not for the reason you think.

HB is the youngest in our little clan. And she has a mom who has been WAY too involved at the school. HB helped me set up a library. She has helped me volunteer in two kindergarten and first grade classrooms, one second grade classroom, and one third grade classroom. She has helped with class parties, enrichment activities, reading stories out loud to classes, and teaching art. She came with me when I was the parent volunteer coordinator. She has logged some serious volunteer hours at this school. She has been patient, supportive and excited.

But now it is HER turn.

Her turn to sit in the desk and open the new pencil box.

Her turn to be the student at the parties and enrichment activities.

Her turn to have mom come to her class and read books out loud.

It is finally her turn.

And I cried because I have never felt more joy in seeing one of my children so happy and content. HB loves to learn and read and count and play and be with friends and have recess. School makes her SO happy...and so it has not been hard to see her go.

Plus I have a new job at the elementary school and my office is just outside her kindergarten classroom door. That certainly helps.

My two boys also started school...and I'm positive we took some pictures...and I'm positive I will find them...someday.

For now, they are all happy and content. They have AMAZING teachers and instructors. They are learning music and Spanish and art. I work in the same school so I can look through the little windows on the door and see their little heads bent over their desks and blow them kisses.

I can also see when their name is on the board and leave them threatening little "mom" notes on post-it notes on their desks.

And so, ready or not, we have stepped into a new phase of life. All 3 kids are in school. I have gone back to work part-time. Life moves forward and just like my children, surprises me at what is around every new corner. Just the way it should be.