Kindergarten-how did this happen so quickly?

Well it happened yesterday. The day all mothers hear about but can not truly understand until it actually arrives. Webb's first day of 'big school'...kindergarten. Pre-K3 and 4 do prepare you somewhat for this step, but it is truly amazing how just the word 'kindergarten' causes such emotion and anxiety. The nervousness and worry of all of the new things to be learned. Playtime is over and now it's time to go to a place that is actually MANDATED by the federal government. The worry of homework, reading, writing, only 2 recess periods, NAP TIME! With all of these worries, I can't believe I made it through yesterday without having a breakdown. Webb's confidence and excitement to get to 'Miss' Susan's class helped to ease my anxiety a bit though.
All in all, I think I handled it well. Having 'K-Kay' just down the hall doesn't hurt either... :)

Webb alerted me the day prior that John Allen was going to wake him up for school by coming in his room and jumping on him. This is a little game the two of them have and Webb loves it. He begs John Allen to lay on top of him to the point where any and all existing air in his lungs is expelled causing an agonizing 'ugggghhh', followed by hysterical laughter upon John Allen's release. 'Do it again Jah'allen, do it again!!!' And of course, Jah'allen (Webb's pronunciation of his name) complies. So the morning began with this game and John Allen got Webb dressed in his new uniform clothes complete with shirt tucked in (which Webb wasn't thrilled about), belt and his new gray tennis shoes that only required a visit to SIX stores before finding the right kind and size, brand new back pack with 'Webb' embroidered at the top, and the coolest Spiderman lunch box! He was just adorable...and so grown up.

After loading up all of our school supplies in the car, off we went to Tunica Academy. We turned on School Street just behind Matthew, which thrilled Webb. We parked just behind the McCraw's at school and Webb jumped out of the car and ran to Matthew, so excited to see him and compare new shoes. He wanted to just walk in with Matthew and his parents, not concerned about the loads of equipment that I had to haul in from the car. I couldn't allow this...not on the first day. I mean how could he not want to be with me...wasn't he nervous, wasn't he wondering what to expect, wasn't he thinking about how he was truly in real school now and wasn't a baby anymore???!!! I guess not...but I sure was all of those things. I didn't get an argument though when I asked to help me with his nap mat and lunch box. He gladly took his arm load and headed for the door. He led me right to his classroom and walked right in. Thanks to K-Kay, he has the luxury of the 'run of the school' in the summer when he accompanies her to her classroom, so these halls are not foreign to him and he is completely at home here. Thank you K-Kay...though some teachers might not appreciate this 'comfortable' feeling he has, I sure do!!

We hung up our backpack and lunchbox and he took his seat at his table which is just across from Matthew, thank goodness! Parents stood back and watched as their little 'people' milled around taking in their new surroundings. There were some tears, mostly parents, but a few children. However, they did not last long. As I stood and watched this first day unfold, I was sad, happy, excited, nostalgic, and proud all at the same time. My heart was in my throat as I thought of Webb as a newborn and the special times that we spent reading and singing and rocking. I pictured him in his baby bed...so angelic, so sweet. I thought about him learning to crawl and walk and talk...not necessarily in that order. I remembered times that he literally brought me to tears because of sweet things he would say as a toddler. I was caught up in my baby's life as a baby. As I looked over to find him, I saw that he and Matthew had moved from the table to the floor and found some army men to play with. My sweet, angelic baby was holding a little figure and SHOOK me from my nostalgia with the sounds of machine gun fire!!!! It was a beautiful moment while it lasted.


I could tell that parents were slowly making their way toward the door so I assumed it was my turn to do the same. I leaned down to tell Webb good-bye and though I wasn't sure what to expect as he was so involved with the 'game' he was playing, my heart melted when he heard my voice say 'good bye' and he stopped, stood up, and hugged and kissed me good-bye...'I love you too, Mommy'...and the machine gun began to fire again.

We made it through the day with the only tears coming from a melted Reece's in his lunchbox and a ball to the face at recess. John Allen, as always, and why we love him so, solved the melted chocolate issue by bringing home a cold pack for his lunch box for his Capri Sun and Reece's

today.

Hopefully those tears at lunch will be taken care of as far as that's concerned. We were out of cheese this morning though...............