Off to School!!

What a day... what a milestone... what a moment! Josie packed up her backpack this morning and headed out to the first day of Kindergarten. She was so excited. Did I cry? Nah... I was too proud of my girl. I can't wait to hear how her day went!

This is where I say just how smart we were to send Josie to summer school this June. It made today SO much easier. She is familiar with the school, has some friends, and knows the routine. That isn't to say that today came without any anxiety on Josie's part. At bedtime last night, we spent quite awhile quelling her fears concerning being liked and having friends. Poor girl... she really is the first born to two first-borns. She wants to please and wants to be liked. She absolutely fears rejection. But after lots of reassurance, and a decision to take one day at a time, she was able to relax and fall asleep. Phew!


We live fairly close to the school, so Josie is considered a "walker." Today however, we drove in. Here is Josie giving Daddy lots of love and nose-rubs before heading off into the school building (Dad stayed in the car with Norah). Normally, we will drive her to school and then she will walk home with a 7th grader who will sit with Josie for about an hour and a half before Eric gets home.

Here are pictures of Josie at school today -- one in front of her classroom door (the Turtle Class), one with her teacher, Miss McClelland, and one with her school friends from the summer:




Check back in... we will edit this post to include Josie's report of how the first day went!

JOSIE'S REPORT:

Josie came home from school today with a smile on her face... but absolutely exhausted (and feeling a little fragile from the days events). In her backpack, among many colored pages, was a "Great First Day of Kindergarten" award. These are some of the things Josie shared with us about her first day:

• They got to go to music class... and some of the songs she sang were songs she knew! She was jazzed!
• They went to art class... another one of Josie's favorite things.
• She had her picture taken three times by the teachers...
• She had three periods of recess
• She and her friend Charity brought the identical beach towel to nap on.
• The art center in the class room was great fun.
• They read Mrs. Bindergarten goes to Kindergarten... a crowd favorite!
• And she got to meet new friends...

In Josie's words, "It was a very good day!" and she woke up eager to go again today! Yippee!