Friday, August 01, 2008

Kindergarten...Here I Come!

Look Out Kindergarten, Here I come!

Hand on the door, ready to go! We take this picture every year
and I can't believe how much taller he is this year.


Evan with his teachers, Mrs Willis (l) and Mrs. Tanner (r)

Mrs. Willis will be teaching while Mrs. Bailey in on Maternity Leave with her twins.




Busy getting started on his morning work.



Open House, yesterday...


Man, I can't believe that my sweet baby boy started Kindergarten today! I've cried for days whenever I would think about it and balled like a baby all the way home from dropping him off. I had to quickly grab a tissue without Evan noticing as I walked out of the room. I felt like an idiot crying through the halls, I mean big tears, the ones that you can't hide from people. Yes, everyone who I passed in the halls knew I was a first time Kindergarten Mommy. As I passed the ones whom I knew they smiled and gave encouragement, since they each have older children. It's just that I'm going to miss him so much. We've been home together since he was home and he only went to school for half of a day last year. Plus, I have all of these images in my head, like him caring his lunch tray of pizza and corn very carefully, clenching it tightly with both hands, worried that he might drop it as he walks back to his table (why is it that corn is always served with pizza at school? Yuck). And, him walking down the hallway all by myself to get to his classroom and fears of him getting lost and scared. Fears of him being shy, even though I know he makes friends easily. Okay, I know my baby is tough, but his Mommy isn't nor does she ever claim to be. I mean, this is big school, a "real" school, not the small Private Christian school that's he's been at since he was two, where I knew everyone and everyone knew Evan as my baby. We dropped him off at carpool in the morning knowing that he sat with his class in the hallway and then was walked to class, plus last year, his Mimi was there. Whereas now, he'll be dropped off in the car rider line to walk down the long halls with twists and turns to get there all by himself, oh my! At least for a while, his Daddy will be walking to class, quizzing him on how to get there alone.
Okay, maybe you think I'm overreacting a bit but I don't think you understand the magnitude of this event! This is our baby, who God sent here all the way across the globe to be my son, my very, very special son, the one who made me what I am today and what I always wanted to be...A Mommy!


I do find solace in knowing that his teacher is Mrs. Bailey. (for those of you who don't know she is Clay's cousin, she also just had adorable twins) even though she isn't there yet, she will be soon and this I prayed for. Also, the para pro in Evan's class is Cathy Tanner, who has been friends with my Mom for years. I also find comfort and have confidence in knowing that Mansfield is one the top elementary schools in our county, we now have 12. It's also one of the county's smaller schools which also gives me peace.
We also read an old favorite of ours, The Kissing Hand by Audrey Penn and Evan went to school with a Kissing Hand in his Pocket.
Sorry Alonda, I promise we (okay...I) will do better before you get there. LOL!!

8 comments:

J. said...

Awww, I was in tears reading. I can't believe the difference in Evan since the 2-year Preschool picture. He looks happy so he'll be fine. I remember having those same (irrational) thoughts which at the time my older kids were starting school seemed quite normal and rational to me. The good thing is, it does get better!

Danielle said...

I can't believe that Evan is in kindergarten. He is really growing up. I bet that he was so happy to be going to school this year.

Hodges Five said...

Thanks "Addy" I needed that!

Hodges Five said...

Oh yeah...but I'm still not calling them "irrational" thoughts. LOL

J. said...

No, you won't think they're irrational for a few years! Trust me!

Jennifer Kelly said...

Just think....by the time the twins get there, you'll be a pro!!
Great blogging...keep it up.

Mitchell Fab Four said...

I feel that "Mommy pain". I cried when Lauren and Andrew started each new phase--this year will be my "Andrew is going to middle school" cry. (Can you believe that??) Evan is going to love every minute of school and will have so much to share with you each day when he gets home. God knew what he was doing when he sent Evan for you to love!!!

Paige said...

OK so I understand the sadness. It is hard and for me I still miss Abby when she isn't at home. I cried every day for the first week (remember?). So you will miss him all year but it does get a little better.