Last week, we sent our first baby off to kindergarten.
Carrington was so excited to head off on the big yellow school bus -- I couldn't quite believe I was standing at a bus stop with my child, watching her climb the stairs, waving goodbye. Our kindergarten program is full day, so it's a huge change from the 2.5 hours of preschool/4 days a week that she had before. No more lunches together, unstructured days, spontaneous outings, lazy mornings. Man, I reveled in all of those things with my first girl. They are tough changes for this momma heart to accept, and yet I know without a doubt in my mind that my almost-six-year-old is ready for more.
She's ready to meet new friends, to learn to read, to do arts & crafts projects to her heart's content (something I was having a particularly hard time keeping up with this summer, as much as I tried!). She's ready to expand her knowledge about all sorts of subjects she's curious about -- she's so ready to learn. And if I'm being honest, she's probably got a few things she can teach others, too. ;) I marvel at how much she already knows and can't wait to hear what she discovers, all she absorbs.
Hadley has been taking it pretty rough, but then it's only been two days and she hasn't started pre-school yet. She has a tough time accepting that sissy gets to go off on the bus each morning and she can't. She misses her all day, everyday playmate... her best friend. It's a long day without her big sister, and we're both feeling it. It hurts my heart to see her missing Carrie, but at the same time we knew it was an inevitability, and I'm excited for her to begin pre-school and meet new friends and teachers of her own. She's ready for her own thing, too! I'm also looking forward to a bit of one-on-one time (ok, maybe with baby sis in tow!) with my Haddie and plan on treasuring it fully knowing how fast it all goes.
Have you sent a kid off to kindergarten or full day school for the first time? Was it a difficult transition? I'd love to hear your thoughts! I know we're not alone with all of these crazy, mixed emotions. ;)
