First Day of School

Our school district has a uniform policy. Hence the reason why he's dressed this way. :)

Yesterday was Garrett's first day of kindergarten. He didn't really seem all that nervous. Right before we parked to walk him into the classroom, he said he wanted to be sure Keith and I both gave him a hug and a kiss before we left.

He went right into the classroom, sat down and started playing with the Playdoh that his teacher had set out for us. Even though I tried to talk to him a couple of times before we left, he was in "the zone" and didn't respond. We stood at the doorway, waving and saying goodbye and he never looked even once at us. I'd much prefer this to him clinging to my leg and crying, so I'll take it.

When I picked him up, it was a little crazy. You have the option of parking and walking up to the front of the school and escorting your child back to your car, or you can stay in the car and slowly make your way around the parking lot until you get to the front and someone helps your child into the car. I opted for the second one. With a 2 year old and temps over 100 degrees, trying to make my way through a crowded parking lot did not appeal to me. I had warned Garrett that I would not be one of the first parents there to pick him up, so he would be prepared for the fact that other kids would leave before him. I was in the parking lot about 10 minutes before the last bell rang, but it still took awhile before I made it to the front to get him.

He was super excited about his first day. He said it was his "best day EVER" and he told me about a couple of new friends he made. One he couldn't remember the boy's name and the other's name was Lucas (which is Garrett's middle name). Garrett was really excited about that. He also has another boy in his class named Cooper.

He didn't bring anything home in his backpack, so I have no idea if that's good or bad. Did he forget a folder he was supposed to bring home? Surely not since it was the first day of kindergarten, I can't imagine that his teacher wouldn't check on that sort of thing. The beginning of school has forced me to become more trusting. Trusting that my child is bringing home what I need and doing what he is supposed to and trusting that his teacher is doing what teachers do and not needing any input from me. :) I have to say that after just a couple of days of being the mom of a school kid, I would have changed several things I did when I was teaching. If I go back to it, I know a few things I will definitely do differently based on what I'm learning from the parent side of it.

The remainder of our time at home that afternoon and evening were so pleasant! Cooper acted out a little towards Garrett, trying to hit him or push him. I'm not sure what's up with that other than he was trying to let Garrett know he wasn't happy that he had been gone all day. But Garrett was so well behaved and excited and happy about school. It was really nice! They both went to bed really easily and slept great last night.

This morning, Garrett got up without any problems and was ready to go to school again. We had a few issues with drop off. His teacher had said we could walk the kids to their classrooms for the first 2 days and then after that they have to be dropped off at the school door. So I walked him to the classroom one last time this morning. Keith waited in the car this time with Cooper. But when we got to the classroom, the door was locked and no one was there. There were 5 other moms and kids waiting in the hallway for both of the kindergarten classes. We stood there for probably 15 minutes before the classes finally showed up. The teachers were in the cafeteria with the classes. I wish I had known that because I would have just dropped him off. It was a little frustrating because I had a couple of questions I wanted to ask, but by the time the teacher got there with all the other kids and the other moms were standing around, I just didn't get the chance. Garrett was a bit more clingy because of the mix-up and he asked a few times if we could just go out to the car and wait. But once the rest of his class and the teacher got there, he joined them without hesitation, so that was good.

I'm hoping every day will go smoothly.